Honey Creek Township

Honey Creek Township

The section now known as Honey Creek Township, Howard County, was, when first settled and organized, a part of Clinton County. Its organization dates back to the year 1842, during which year the first election ever held in the township occurred. The election was held for the purpose of choosing one Representative, one County Commissioner, one School Commissioner and one County Coroner. The following is a list of the voters and officers conducting the election. Samuel Scott was the Inspector, and Josiah Lamb, William Morrison, Edom Garner and J. F. Simms, were the Judges; only twenty-three names were on the pollbook (which consisted of one sheet of foolscap paper). John Rivers, who still resides in this township, headed the list of voters, which was as follows : J. Waggaman, Alexander Thatcher, J. S. Morrison, Jonas Rivers, David Frazier, J. Morrison, George W. Swither, Levi Haworth, James McCowen, William Beard, Charles Hatch, Watson Fitzpatrick, Aaron Casto, Julian Frazier, Josiah Lamb, Edom Garner, John F. Simms, William Morrison, Samuel Scott, James Purdum, Jonathan Merideth and William Hughes. The returns of this election were made out on common foolscap paper and carried to the county seat, on horseback. Another election was held some time near this date at the residence of Julian Frazier, at which the following officers were elected : Martin Burton, Justice of the Peace, and Nelson Purdum, Constable.

The First Settlers

It is said that Joseph C. Taylor and family were the first white inhabitants of Honey Creek Township. They came here during the year 1839. Mr. Taylor had left his home near Peru in the fall of 1838, and came here to build his little log cabin, into which he moved in March, 1839. It is also claimed for Mr. Taylor that he, in company with George Taylor, Isaac Price and Robert Walker, were the first white men who inhabited Howard County. The first year of Mr. Taylor's stay in this township, was very lonesome, as his was the only family in the present limits of the township. The first to come to share in the hardships of the dreary pioneer life was a man by the name of McCrery, who settled on a tract of land just w'est of the present site of Russiaville, which tract is at present owned by Jonathan Hodson.

About the first part of the year 1843, the settlement began to increase in numbers, and among the pioneers of that early date, very few of whom are living here yet, were the families of John and Julian Frazier, John Rivers, John Blanche, William Hughes, Vincent Garner, Edom Garner, Daniel R. Jones, Alexander Suit, Henry Stuart, John P. Wright, Dr. L. H. Oilar, D. D. Lightner, Martin Burton, Benoni Fortner, John Waggaman and Jesse Ratcliff ; also the Woodys, Runks, Moulders, James Vaughan, John Wilson, Dr. D. J. Shirley, George Thompson, Ira Bishop, Jacob Vogus, Stephen lies, John Lybrook, Smith Chambers and Allen Middleton, and a great many others of more recent settlement, who have done a great deal toward making the township what it is, and whose names must be remembered as well as the older pioneers. Among them may be mentioned Luke Fry, T. E. Trueblood, David Middleton,

Lands Entered

On October 4, 1842, a great deal of the public land was sold ac the great land sales held at Peru and Crawfordsville. In looking over the old records of these land entries, which records were taken from the original books at the different land offices, it is known that the following-named persons purchased or entered lands in this township, as follows : October 4, 1842 - Nicholas Trobaugh, 160 acres, in Section 21 ; Edward Hemphill, 160 acres, in Section 21; John P. Wright, 240 acres, in Sections 22 and 23 ; Edom Garner, 160 acres, in Sections 23 and 26 ; Julian Frazier, 160 acres, in Sections 22 and 23 ; Joseph C. Taylor, 160 acres, in Section 26. Also, on April 22, 1843 - Martin Burton, 80 acres, in Section 26. October 28, 1843 - James Vaughan, 80 acres, in Section 27. December 15, 1843 - Allen Middleton. 160 acres, in Section 25. November 29, 1843 - John Moulder, 160 acres, in Section 36. October 25, 1842 - D. D. Lightner, 80 acres, in Section 24. October 5, 1842 - John Rivers, 80 acres, in Section 28. December 12, 1844 - Sarah Carson, 80 acres, in Section 27. Among the above-named persons who entered the lands described, only a very few are the owners of the same land at the present time. John Moulder and Sarah Carson still hold the same tracts entered by them in 1843 and 1844.

First Taxes

The whole of Honey Creek Township, as it was in 1845, then more than double its present size, was only assessed so as to pay $141.81 taxes on the real estate and personal property then in the township. Below are given the taxes paid by a number of the old settlers in 1845, the first taxes that are on record as having been paid in the township : Dr. L. H. Oilar, on 80 acres and $100 personal property, paid |1.50 ; Nicholas Trobaugh, on 80 acres and $102 personal property, paid $2.12 ; John P. Wright, on 240 acres, paid $2.92 ; Edom Garner, on 80 acres and $140 personal property, paid $2.21 ; Julian Frazier, on 160 acres and $138 personal property, paid $3.01 ; Joseph C. Taylor, on 160 acres and $252 personal property, paid $3.29 ; Martin Burton, on 80 acres and $85 personal property, paid $1.90 ; James Vaughan. on 80 acres, paid $1.84; John Rivers, on 80 acres and $57 personal property, paid $1.09 ; D. D. Lightner, on 80 acres, paid 55 cents ; John Moulder, on 160 acres and $220 personal property, paid $3.03; Solomon B. Fortner, on 80 acres and $161 personal property, paid $3.25. The Fraziers and several others paid taxes the same year, ranging in amounts from 80 cents to

$3.01. It is a notable fact that we now have men in the township who pay more taxes in one year, at the present time, than all the men who paid taxes in 1845, and the township was then much larger. But the taxes then were perhaps even harder to pay than they are to-day, owing to the extreme scarcity of money of those days, and the lack of ways to get hold of it. The early pioneers had very little to sell, and what they had could not be sold for money. Wild game and wild honey seem to have been the principal articles offered in exchange for the necessary commodities of life. Up to the year 1842, there was no trading point nearer this section than Burlington, Carroll County, which was ten miles distant, and to this point all the primitive Honey Creekers had to wend their way through almost an unbroken expanse of thickly-wooded country, taking the paths made by the Indians, sometimes on horseback, but more frequently on foot. This very inconvenient state of affairs only lasted about three years, when Burlington, as the principal trading point, was abandoned for one nearer home. Old Uncle Henry Stuart, as he is nowknown, and who at the present time is a resident of Kokomo, some time during the year 1842, purchased a stock of goods and opened a store near the present site of Russiaville. His stock was, of course, of a very limited character, but almost endless in variety, for it consisted of all kinds of goods needed by the early settlers - dry goods, groceries, hardware, crockery, glassware - in fact it was what is now denominated a general store, a headquarters for all kinds of goods. His usual places of laying in a supply of goods were La Fayette, Cincinnati and Chicago ; the goods had to be transported from these points in wagons, and new supplies were consequently not very frequent in their appearance. Mr. Stuart, in order to accommodate his customers, made arrangements for the exchange of venison, wild honey, roots and herbs, and the skins of the fur-bearing animals, for the commodities he kept for sale. This gave employment for the women and children in digging ginseng, yellow root, and several other indigenous roots and herbs, thereby furnishing them with a great many articles of apparel that they could not have otherwise obtained. The hams of deer seem to have been the principal circulating medium between the men and the store-keepers. Mr. H. G. Woody, in his history of this township, as written for the County Atlas, states that "at one time Mr. Stuart had 100 ' saddles ' (pairs of deer hams) piled up in his cabin store." Mr. Woody also states that the first wagon ever at Kokomo was loaded with goods belonging to Henry Stuart. The young Indians never having before seen a wagon, thought it some stranore animal, and would take to their heels immediately when the horses happened to move it. It took two days to make the trip, only halting a short time at an Indian town. A further history of the commercial and mercantile interests of the township will be given, as fully as space will permit, in that part of this sketch which relates to the town of Russiaville.

First Marriages

Could we, who are on the stage of action at the present, accustomed to seeing marriages in high life, accustomed to the brilliant weddings of to-day, look back and be a witness of the marriage ceremonies as conducted by the pioneers of Honey Creek Township over forty years ago, we would think it a terrible hardship to have to undergo that happiest ordeal in man's existence under such circumstances ; but in contrasting the surroundings of the pioneer wedding - the bride, in a cheap calico or homespun dress, and groom in buckskin breeches, flax-linen shirt and jeans coat - with the modern brilliant wedding, the high contracting parties decked out in the height of prevailing fashion, and surrounded by costly wedding presents from loving friends, we must not forget that a marriage under the former circumstances was generally the happy consummation of a genuine affection, and, as a rule, fewer ill-assorted matches occurred in those days.

Some time in the early part of the spring of 1842, Joseph Skeen, who now resides in this township, paid his attentions to Miss Nancy Rivers, a daughter of John Rivers, with the intention of making her his wife. Joseph happened along one day when Samuel Scott, the acting Justice of the Peace at that time, was at work at the sugar camp. Mr. Scott knowing of the expected marriage, jokingly spoke to Mr. Skeen, telling him that he (Mr. Scott), was practicing the ceremony in the woods every day, that whenever he came across two nice, thrifty trees standing close together, he united them in marriage. He also told " Uncle Joe " that he wanted some rails made and would take his fee in that way. So in a few days, Samuel Maxwell, Clerk of the Court, was sought, a license obtained, and on the 13th day of March, 1842, Joseph Skeen and Nancy Rivers were before Esquire Samuel Scott, to have the hymeneal knot tied ; " Uncle Joe " made the remark to the Squire that he was ready to split the rails. and this was the first marriage ceremony performed in Honey Creek Township. (Some claim, however, that one or two marriages occurred before this, but there is no record of them.)

In looking over the record, we found the names of several persons who are still living who started in wedded life from this place. Joe Taylor and Eliza Rawson obtained license on the 14th day of March, 1845; the ceremony was performed by Martin Burton, Justice of the Peace. The next were William Wright and Arminda Taylor, on the 31st day of July, 1^45; John Frazier and Hannah Ratcliff, on the 4th day of August, 1845 ; Coleman Moss and Sarah Wright, February 15, 1847 ;

Edom Ratcliff and Nancy Bishop, May 15, 1847 ; Thomas Chandler and Phoebe Enable, May 23, 1848 ; Zimri Nixon and Elizabeth Moulder, September 15, 1848 ; Daniel R. Jones and Catharine Taylor, October 2, 1848. Several other marriages occuiTed during these early years, but space will not permit further mention.

Improvement Of Lands

No further back than forty-five years ago, the lands now known as Honey Creek Township, were densely covered with forest, and not a few buttonwood ponds. The Indians and the wild beasts were the monarchs of all they surveyed. The country in its physical features was not unlike many other tracts of flat wooded lands, the flatness being almost universal throughout the township, with the slight exception of the few and small hills along the course of the two branches of Honey Creek, known as the East and West Forks of Honey Creek, which streams run diagonally through the east and west center of the township. The township derived its name from this creek. The first road, or, rather, path, that was traveled was what is now known as the Honey Creek road, running directly east and west through the township. The road had been surveyed some time before, but had not been cut out.

The first important dwelling house was erected on the north bank of Squirrel Creek, a little stream that crosses the present site of the town of Russiaville, as has been before mentioned. Joseph C. Taylor arrived here in the year 1838. His cabin home was the first white habitation in the township, but it was not long until several log cabins dotted the banks of Honey Creek. The structures were of a very primitive character, having only one room, the floors consisting of hewed puncheons, the door of a very rude pattern, with wooden hinge and latch. If a window graced one side of the building, it was usually very small. The roofs were of clapboards held on by long poles. The first improvement in the lands commenced around the cabins. The sturdy pioneers began to clear the soil of the timber in order to prepare it for cultivation, a few acres at a time, until they cleared enough to raise their vegetables, wheat and corn. Shortly there began to appear small patches of cleared land, and these gradually increased in size and shape until large and beautiful fields, covered with their wealth of grain, greeted the toil-worn farmer as a recompense for his early labors. That the soil of Honey Creek Township is rich and fertile is clearly evinced by the great increase in the agricultural interests, and what was once a howling wilderness is now one of the best and most beautiful farming communities in the State. Farms that once raised a few bushels of corn and wheat, now produce equal to the best farms. Farms that were once worthless on account of the superabundance of water, held in nature's reservoirs without an outlet, now have beautiful buildings on them, and where the ponds existed, fertile fields yield their abundant harvests. Not much attention was paid to improvement in the way of drainage until the rapidly increasing value of the land induced the owners of wet lands to fit them for cultivation.

For several years the people of Honey Creek Township felt it their right, and sought the privilege of being changed into Howard County. All of the township, except about two sections, belonged tp Clinton County until the year 1859. The citizens readily recognizing the fact that, being 80 much nearer the county seat of Howard, they would possess much greater advantages if they were attached, manifested their desires to Col. C. D. Murray, who was then representing the county of Howard. He secured the passage of a bill which provided for the detaching of border townships. One of the requirements of this law was, that a petition must be signed by a majority of the voters living in the territory to be detached, with a proviso in the law that said detachment should not reduce the area of the county to less than four hundred square miles. Several of these petitions were prepared. One, the first, divided the school districts too unevenly, and the people objected to it ; the second conformed to the desires of the citizens in this particular, but called for too much territory, and consequently failed. But the third fulfilled all the requirements of the law, secured a majority of the voters as petitioners, and at the March term of the Commissioners' Court of Clinton County, in 1859, the grant for the change was made. John Moulder, Daniel R. Jones and Hon. Samuel Woody, deserve great praise and the hearty thanks of the people for their untiring eff'orts in bringing about this change. It is claimed by some that the political aspirations of two men, one to the judgeship in Howard County, and the other to the same office in Clinton County, had somewhat to do with the makino; of this change. It was in this wise : Honey Creek Township was largely Republican in its politics, and by taking it off" of Clinton County it made that county solidly Democratic, and by adding it to Howard it fixed Howard up for the Republicans. These two aspirants conferred together, compared notes, and concluded to aid the matter, thereby insuring their own election.

Manufacturing And Milling

The first saw mill was erected on West Honey Creek by John P. Wright, and was afterward owned and managed by Mose Spray. The lumber in those days was not much of an item in the way of price. Men look back now, and almost invariably exclaim, '- Why didn't we know the value of our timber ?" - men who have since sold enough timber from their lands to more than pay for it, and who burned up enough, if they had it now, to make them rich. They finally learned its value, and almost every section in the township has on it the marks of a saw mill, where millions of feet of lumber have been manufactured. The only saw mill now, outside of the town of Russiaville, is in the extreme east end of the township, and is owned and managed by Isaac Hollingsworth. He has in connection with it a first-class planing mill, and does a pretty extensive business in both branches of his establishment.

The manufacturing of draining tile was not commenced in this township until the year 1873, when James Thompson & Sons (Robert and John) opened up that branch of industry about two miles southwest of Russiaville, by building a pretty extensive kiln, and putting in the necessary machinery. Their first building was burned, but they rebuilt a more extensive establishment, which is now owned and managed by William R. Hodson, a son-in-law of Mr. Thompson. One other tile factory was opened on Clark Gilford's farm, three miles south of Russiaville, by John and Arthur Gifibrd, in 1879, and is still in operation. The other manufacturing interests of the township will be given in the history of Russiaville.

The first schools were taught in log houses. The first schoolhouse was a cabin which stood near the present residence of Nathan Ratclifi", one quarter of a mile southwest of Russiaville. The first school was taught by D. D. Lightner, in the year 1842 ; this was one of the first, if not the first school taught in Howard County. At the west end of Main street, in Russiaville, stood an old two-story building which was afterward known as the " Old Bowl Machine." It was in the second story of this building that Mr. Lightner taught his second school. The first house erected for school purposes in the township was a log structure, in the extreme southwest corner. The location has been changed several times since to different farms, which fact gave it the name of the." Runaway Schoolhouse ; " the second building was one mile southeast of Russiaville. After the change in the law governing school districts, the township was re-districted and then consisted of six districts (afterward five). New houses were then erected in all the districts ; the one at Russiaville was a two-stoi'y brick of four rooms, which, at the time it was built was considered a big thing, and the best in the county outside of Kokomo. It has since been condemned by architects as unsafe for school purposes. The following in regard to schools is from H. G. Woody 's histoi'v of the township written in 1876 : " The result of the teaching done in the six original school districts of this township has been immense and is the pride of the people. It is thought that no other township in the State has, in proportion to its size and population, produced so many teachers ; such is theboMSt of the township ; I can only append the facts : District No. 1 has produced eighteen teachers; No. 2 (Russiaville) six, No. 3, five; No. 4, one ; No. 5, six, and No. 6, twenty-eight; total, sixty-four. Of these, twenty-eight are ladies (this was written seven years ago, and the number of teachers from the above districts has been largely increased, especially the Russiaville School, which has furnished at least forty teachers since that time). The above speaks volumes for the public schools. Not a few of these teachers, however, have added to the educational foundation received at home, and the instruction of the better colleges and normal schools of the State and United States. The above given results are not mere 'happen so's,' nor can they be attributed to a predominance of brain-power in Honey Creek over her sister townships. Certainly much is due to the training received from the early teachers, the principal of whom were D. D. Lightner, T. E. Trueblood and Dr. T. M. Moulder ; the name of D. D. Lightner is mentioned because he taught the first school and many schools in the township, and because he was a man of more than ordinary ability. The name of T. E. Trueblood is selected because he has taught more schools in Honey Creek Township than any other person, and because he is one of the ablest teachers she ever had. He did most of his work in Districts No. 1, 5 and 6, which, it will be noticed, placed the most teachers in the field. D. D. Lightner is now up near Lake Michigan in the fancy gardening business. T. E. Trueblood is a wholesale and retail grocer of Kokomo and Dr. T. M. Moulder is a reputable and successful practitioner of medicine in the town of Russiaville."

For several years, the pioneers, who were religiously inclined, held divine services in the log schoplhouses situated in different parts of the township. The first church building erected in the township was by the Society .of Friends, and was built in the year 1853, two miles east of Russiaville, and was called Lynn Meeting House. A new frame building now occupies the old site, and still retains the original name. A schoolhouse bearing the same name stands close to it. This church organization and the building of the church edifice was the result of the energy and enterprise of the Cosands, the Butlers and the Pickerings. Some of the prominent members now belonging to that monthly meeting are the Cosands (Benjamin, William and John), also, John T. Lindley, Jesse RatcliiF, Hannah Moulder, Benjamin King, David Middleton, Lemuel Middleton and their families. They hold regular monthly meetings, also regular services on Sabbath, and one day during the week. The Lynn

A large congregation of the " Separate Baptists " have a church organization in the southwest corner of the^ township, where they meet in a house formerly used as a schoolhouse, but now owned and used by them. The organization was established in 1874, by Jackson Graham, who was pastor of the church for two years. He succeeded in arousing a great and lasting interest in his church, and secured the co-operation of quite a number of influential citizens, death closing his labors at the end of his two years work in the church. Robert Sharp was then secured as pastor, holding the position two years, after which the present pastor, George W. Turner, took charge of the church. The present membership is about seventy, and the church is in a flourishing condition.

Regular Baptists. - This church has had an organization in this township over a quarter of a century. In the year 1855, John A. Thompson, a son of Wilson Thompson, who was recognized as one of the greatest and brightest lights known in that church, in the State, or perhaps, in the United States, organized a church, known as the Honey Creek Baptist Church, with the following membership : James L. Thompson and wife, John A. Thompson and wife. Smith Chambers and wife, Mrs. Luke Fry, and a few others. They held their first meeting in the Fortner Schoolhouse, one and a quarter miles west of Russiaville, which place they occupied for a number of years, and in the year 1878 they bought the house they now occupy, which is a schoolhouse, two miles south of Russiaville. The pastors of the church have been (in the order named) John N. Thompson, David Kirkpatrick, John M. Thompson, and John Daily, the last one named being the present pastor. The principal members at this date are Luke Fry and wife, Thomas Giff"ord and wjfe. Miss Hester Giffbrd and Mrs. Alex Bishop. In 1870, it was understood by several of the members of this church that the organization was to be disbanded, and they united with the Providence Church, in Tipton County, but the other members of Honey Creek Church continued the organization, which caused a hardness of feeling, and a consequent split in the church. The result of this misunderstanding was the forming of an arm, or branch, of the Providence Church, and in the fall of 1871, a nice frame church was erected, two and three-quarter miles southeast of Russiaville, at a cost of over $1,000. The house was built by the contributions of only six individuals, namely : E. J. Chambers, R. W. Thompson, P. H. McCann, Ira Bishop, Clark Giftbrd and Margaret Chambers. The present pastors are Elder Jackson and Robert W.. Thompson. The membership is not large, consisting principally of R. W. Thompson and wife, E. J. Chambers and wife, Ira Bishop and wife» ^

Olark Gifford and wife, J. Hendrix and wife, Benton Frier and P. H. McCann. The Regular Baptists have held their conference meetings in this township, with a very large attendance.

Politics

The political history of Honey Creek Township is pretty nearly a onesided matter. Of late years, she has been particularly noted for her rousing and steadily increasing Republican majorities, the present vote st.inding about 220 Republican and only 55 Democratic. Ever since the organization of the party, she has been enthusiastically Republican. Before the advent of Republicanism, she was noted far and near as being a stronghold of abolitionism. During the dark days before the war, Russiaville was known as one of the stations of the famous "underground railroad," and the Friend Quakers were the most zealous workers in the carrying on of the enterprise, but it is well known that they had strong advocates and hard workers outside of that denomination. D. D. Lightner was loud in his denunciation of slavery and helped to conduct the ''railroad." Daniel R. Jones, who is still a citizen of Russiaville, vfks considered as one of the craftiest and ablest conductors on the road, and it is a fact that a great many of the Southern slaves and their families were the happy recipients of assistance in the way of provisions and transportation on their flight from their accursed bondage from these advocates of the abolition of slavery in Honey Creek Township.

Honey Creek Township has been successful in two elections, in having the honor of representing the county in the State Legislature. In 1860, Daniel D. Lightner, who has figured pretty extensively in this history, was elected, and served one term to the honor of himself and the credit of his constituents. In 1874, Samuel Woody, one of the most thorough and zealous workers in the Republican ranks, was elected as Joint Representative and filled the office in a very creditable and satisfactory manner. The following-named gentlemen hatre served the township as Trustees since the change in the law requiring only one Trustee instead of three. Thomas E. Trueblood, Thomas Shilling, Dr. Hornaday, Dr. T. M. Moulder, John T. Lindley, Benjamin King and William H. Bishop. The present officers in the township are John T. Ratcliff and B. B. Richards, Justices of the Peace; Benjamin King, Trustee; Philip Lybrook, Assessor ; John Denton, Roadmaster, and S. P. Hodson and A. D. Nolan, Constables.

One railroad crosses the township from east to west - the Toledo, Cincinnati & St. Louis Narrow Gauge, which has been a great benefit to the farmers in the way of furnishing a convenient and good market for ^their produce, of which more will be said in the history of Russiaville.

Prior to 1844, the most thickly settled portion of Honey Creek Township was on the west side of the West Branch of Honey Creek. Durini? this year, it was decided to start a town and a survey was made, on the east bank of West Honey Creek, and thus the town of Russiaville had its birth. The town's first houses were rude log cabins of the most primitive fashion, a very few of which remain in situ to the present day. The growth of the village was slow and its importance very limited until the advent of the railroad (F. & K.), which was built in 1873-74. But the town took a start for the better about 1856, when there was a railroad surveyed and a part of the grade made through this place ; and when the road was abandoned the growth of the place was again stopped, New London, two miles north, being the principal town in this section. Up to the year 1874, the population did not exceed two hundred, since which time the town has rapidly increased in dimensions and population until it has become one of the most thriving business points in the State for its size. New streets are being opened every year and new buildings by the score have been and are being erected. Three new additions have been laid out this spring (1883), viz.; Hodson's on the northwest, Bowles' on the southwest and Chandler's on the southwest.

The town recieved almost a death-blow on the morninf^ of the 20th day of January, 1881, when four of the best business houses of the place were totally destroyed by the relentless fire fiend. About 3 or 4 o'clock on that awful and eventful morning, the fire was discovered at the rear of Bishop & Orr's Block. James W. Cooper, Jr., gave the alarm of fire, soon arousing the whole town to action. By almost superhuman efforts, a great many of the goods were saved, and the fire confined to the four two-story business houses, thus saving the adjacent buildifigs. The principal losers in this conflagration were Bishop & McCann, John Orr, John Gennebeck, B. B. Richards, H. Fritz, H. C. Fellows, Charles Baldwin and Grifiith & Evans. John Gennebeck and B. B. Richards lost everything they had, having no insurance. As was stated, this was almost a death-blow to the business and growth of the place, and bid fair to be a permanent disaster, for right at the same time a chant^e was contemplated in the railroad matters and men were on a stand, and would not rebuild until it was settled. The railroad change becoming finally adjusted, the burned district was cleared of the debris and two large two-story brick blocks were erected on the old site. The west block was finished below for store rooms, with full plate glass fronts and the best inside finish in the county. The Odd Fellows and Jared Marshall were the proprietors. Bishop k McCann, John Orr and John Gennebeck erected the east block, the lower story consisting of three business rooms, and the upper of offices and an opera house, furnished with a good stage and appropriate scenery, having a seating capacity of 400. Since the fire, no less than fifty buildings have been erected, and at present the population will probably reach 700, The census of 1880 gives a population of 450, since which time the town has rapidly increased in population, and the prospect for future growth is very flattering.

Leading Merchants

It has been mentioned that Henry Stuart was the first man to offer merchandise for sale in this township, but his store was not a part of the village of Russiaville. Martin Burton, who is now a resident of Indianapolis, started the first store in the town. He erected his store room on the corner of Liberty and Main streets. This was also the first building ever erected on the original plat of Russiaville. (Mr. Burton and Edom Garner owned the land composing the plat, and are considered as the originators of the town.) This store building was very small, and of course the amount of goods for sale could not have been large. A man by the name of Bishop was the second man who sold goods in the place, but from this very meager beginning the business of Russiaville has grown to be something worth more than a passing mention. The principal merchants who followed these were George W. Thompson, Hiat & Johnson, W. M. Waters, Thomas Shilling, Richard Shilling, Robert Shilling, Thomas E. Ratcliff, Thomas Wadman & Son, T. T. Whitiker, R. T. Chandler, William H. Bishop, and several others. At present the following is a list of the merchants and their business. There are three firms selling dry goods, clothing, notions etc., namely, 0. G. Coffin, G. E. Allison and P. H. McCann (sucessor to Bishop & McCann), all doing an extensive business. Several firms are engaged in the grocery trade, as follows : L. W. Coffin and Tyner & Chamber.^, are the largest dealers in this line, and Frank Fortner and F. E. Fanchier, sell groceries in connection with their restaurants. There is one furniture store, kept by A. Cline. Three houses are in the drug trade - R. T. Chandler, G. W. Topping & Co. and John Gifford. Mr. Chandler has been in this trade in this place for nearly twenty-five years. There are also two millinery establishments owned by Mrs. K. E. Chamberlain and Miss Lida Vandenbark ; also two shoe shops ; the finest and best suite of dental parlors in this part of the State ; one barber shop, one meatmarket, a livery stable, one of the best hotels in the county, a jewelry store, a tailor shop, and a large harness establishment. But the most extensive business carried on in the place, is the hardware and agricultural implement house of Griffith & Evans. This is one of the largest houses of the kind in the county, and occupies a block of three buildings,

Post Office

POST OFFICE. Among the many privations of the early settlers of this place was the lack of convenient mail advantages. During the first few years of the history of Russiaville, the pioneers had to go from six to eight miles to get the little mail they received from their friends. In the year 1847, the citizens of this place succeeded, through a private mail route enterprise, in getting their mail sent to New London, which reduced the distance to only two miles, but in a few years Russiaville secured a post office. Martin Burton was instrumental in establishing the first mail route to this place. In 1848 or 1849, the first Postmaster, D. D. Lightner, was appointed, and Russiaville was blessed with a post office. In those days the citizens thought themselves quite fortunate to get their mail one day in each week, and now they are not entirely satisfied with the twenty-one mails that come to Russiaville Post Office each week. The business of the post office has increased from a mere pittance as a compensation, to a comfortable salary, and takes all of one man's time to run it. Mr. John Gennebeck is the present Postmaster, from whom it is learned that during the last quarter, ending March 31, 1883, there were over 6,000 letters mailed at his office, besides nearly 2,500 postal cards and about 2,000 circulars. The further history of the post office, in regard to mail matter distributed, speaks volumes for the intellect of the community, as there are over 1,000 newspapers and periodicals coming regularly through this office every week to citizens of this town and vicinity. Among the Postmasters who have served since the office was established are George W. Thompson (second Postmaster, 1849), R. L. Shilling, Thomas Shilling and William H. Bishop (who served eleven years).

The first grist mill was built out of logs, by Edom Ratcliff, on Squirrel Creek, near the present site of the cemetery, and was a mere corncracker ; but it seemed to answer the purpose then, as there was nothing but corn to grind. In 1852, Martin Burton built the first flouring mill in Russiaville. It was run by water-power and only run a few years until a spring freshet so injured the water privileges that the mill was changed to a steam mill. In 1870, the mill was totally destroyed by fire, and was then the property of G. W. and M. G. Haun. These men were not able to rebuild, and the citizens assisted them in building the flouring mill which now stands on Union street. The mill has passed through several hands, but is at present owned and managed by the original own- ers, George W. and M. G. Haun. We also have a large planing mill, saw mill and furniture factory combined, owned by Augustus Cline, and an extensive saw mill and felloe factory, run by George Durrer. For several years, James W. Cooper & Sons were engaged in the manufacture of wooden bowls, in a two-story building, now torn down, and which is remembered and spoken of as the " Old Bowl Machine." This was the only factory of the kind ever in the State, and the ware was sold over several States.

SCHOOLS. The first school taught in Russiaville was taught in 1842. in a cabin on the place now owned by Nathan Ratcliff, which was one of the first schools organized in the county. This school and several subsequent terms were taught by Daniel D. Lightner. In 1843, the school was moved into the upper story of the " Bowl Machine," which building was used for school, and as a public hall for several years. In 1872, Dr. W. H. Hornaday, the Trustee at that time, built a two-story brick house with four rooms for a graded school building. The house was very poorly constructed and has recently been condemned as unsafe to hold school in. Before the new house was erected, it had been talked of for some time and strongly opposed by one element in the township and advocated as strongly by another, which resulted in the springing-up of an independent candidate for Trustee, known as an Anti-Schoolbouse Candidate. The election settled the difficulty by the choosing of Dr. Hornaday, who built the house. Charles C. Duncan was selected as the Principal of the first school taught in the new house, and under his management the educational interest in Russiaville took a decided start in the right direction. In 1874, the school was given into the hands of Freeman Cooper, and during the next summer it was extensively advertised as a Normal School and bid fair to become the best school in the county, having quite a number of non-resident pupils. Mr. Cooper then went into the study of law, and the school passed to the hands of H. C. Fellow, and subsequently to J. C. Comstock, the present Principal. It is thought by many that Mr. Comstock has been more successful as an instructor than any teacher for several years past. The future of the school cannot be predicted on account of the terrible condition of the school building. An effort was made to issue bonds and build a new house, but the County Commissioners failed to grant the privilege, on account of the indebtedness of the township.

The Odd Fellows

Russiaville Lodge, No. 105, I. 0. 0. F., was instituted on the 26th day of March, 1852. The following were the charter members : Daniel Smith, Henry Weaver, George W. Thompson, Jacob Gray and Barney

Busby. The first oflScers were : Daniel Smith, N. G.; Henry Weaver, V. G.; George W. Thompson, See.; Jacob Gray, Treas. On the 26th day of November, 1852, just eight months from the date of the charter, the hall, the charter and all the lodge furniture and fixtures were destroyed by fire. A new charter was granted January 19, 1853. In 1860, the order in connection with the Methodist Episcopal Church built a large hall, the Methodists using the lower story and the Odd Fellows the upper. In 1882, the following men were appointed to erect a new hall : Martin Allison, John T. Ratcliff, Dr. I. N. Cook, John R. Griffith and W. W. Fry. The committee purchased ground on the corner of Main and Union streets, and in connection with -Tared Marshall erected the largest and finest brick block in the town. It is two stories high and is forty feet wide in front, and eighty feet long. The order owns the west half of the building; their business room is finished with French plate glass front, and is elegantly furnished inside. The hall is finished and furnished to compare with the rest of the building. The cost of the new building was $4,000. There have been admitted to membership since the organization of the lodge over 300 persons, and at present the active membership numbers about sixty. The present oflicers are : Adam Ridnour, N. G.; George A. Borders, V. G.; F. M. C. Hart, Treas.; J. C. Comstock, Recording Sec; Dr. I. N. Cook, Permanent Sec; G. W. Thompson, Lodge Deputy.

Hope Encampment, No. 112, meets in the same hall and consists of about twenty members. There is also a Rebecca Lodge in connection with the order.

The Masonic Order

Russiaville Lodge, No. 82, A. F. A. M., was established in 1853, the charter being granted May 26 of that year. The Russiaville Masons formerly belonged to New London Lodge, but the hall at that place was burned in 1852 and Russiaville Lodge, No. 82, was then organized. Martin Burton, William Morrison, D. D. Lightner, George Hart, Alexander Black and William Frost were the charter members, the following named filling the three principal oflSces : William Morrison, W. M. ; Martin Burton, S. W. ; Daniel D. Lightner, J. W, Russiaville Lodge has been the mother of 'several neighboring lodges. The last set of members that withdrew established Prairieville Lodge, about six miles southeast of Russiaville. The order held their meetings for some time in the upper story of the old "Bowl Machine, " but finally purchased the present hall on Union street. The lodge is now owner of a hall, the lot on which it stands, nice furniture and a good set of solid silver emblems, or jewels. The present membership numbers about fifty. The present oflScers are : George Francis, W. M. ; Dr. J. C. Wright, S. W. ; John M. Denton, J. W. ; R. T. Chandler, Secretary, and John R Griffith, Treasurer.

Grand Army Of The Republic

Methodist Church. - The Methodist Episcopal Church was established in the very early settlement of the township, at the Fortner Schoolhouse, three-fourths of a mile from Russiaville. The first class meeting was held there, and also the first quarterly meeting. Solomon and Benoni Fortner and their mother and some of the Rivers family formed the first class. Rev. Colclazier and Elder R. D. Robinson were the first Methodist preachers that visited the neighborhood. The first quarterly meeting was presided over by Elder Richard Hargrave, a prominent pioneer Methodist preacher. The church building was erected in 1860 by the following-named building committee : John Frazier, William RatclifF, Jonathan Lamb, Robert Wilson and William Graham. It was finished and dedicated in 1861, Rev. J. J. Cooper preaching the dedicatory sermon. Recently the church has been refitted and refurnished in modern style, the inside work being donated principally by the ladies of the church. The church is at present in a flourishing condition.

Christian Church. - The following, from the first record of this church, speaks for itself : " State of Indiana, Lord's Day, Jane 25, 1848. This day, the following-named persons who have formerly belonged to the Church of Christ in different parts of the country, came together and gave each other the right hand of fellowship, pledging themselves to the Lord and to each other, to keep the Commandments of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to take the New Testament as their only rule of faith and practice, and to renounce all the traditions of men. To be known as the Church of Christ, at Russiaville, Howard County, Indiana. (Signed) Elder Benjamin Jones, Elder Adam Conrad, William Draper (Deacon), Jonathan Spealman, Eli Avery, Enoch Avery Jonathan Styles, James McKown, Andrew Pennington, Nicholas Trobaugh, Mary Jones, Catharine Conard, Nancy Draper, Margaret Spealman, Dorcas Avery, Louisa Fox, Cela Draper, A. E. Beard. " These persons constituted the first organization of the Church of Christ in Russiaville. The church house was erected in 1858, by Thomas E. Ratcliff. Nicholas Trobaugh and Adam Conard, building committee. The church is the largest in the place, having a seating capacity of about five hundred. Preaching services are held once a month, and social meetings every Lord's Day morning. A prosperous Sundayschool meets every Sunday afternoon. The school has a fine organ.

Society of Friends was organized here in 1878. In 1877, a nice church building was erected by Jared Marshall, Zimri Newlin and Eli Carter, the building having been put up one year before the organization. The organization is known as the Russiaville Preparative Meeting. The present oflScers are 0. G. Coffin, Clerk, and Cyrus Lee, Treasurer; this church has rapidly increased in membership until there are about seventy-five members at present ; this meeting belongs to the New London Quarterly Meeting and the Western Yearly Meeting.

The Medical Profession

The first resident doctor that ever gave a dose of calomel or bled a patient in the township was Dr. L. H. Oilar, who is still living two miles west of Russiaville, having retired from the practice to enjoy a comfortable old age in peace and plenty ; the first Russiaville pill vender was a man by the name of Armstrong, who was only here a few months. Dr. D. J. Shirley was the first established physician in the town ; after him came Dr. E. A. Armstrong, Dr. Hornaday, Dr. T. M. Moulder, Dr. lies, Dr. J. C. Wright, Dr. G. W. Kemp, Dr. L. A. Beeks, Dr. M. C. Mendenhall and Dr. James Cook. Four of the above form the present corps of physicians - Moulder, Mendenhall, lies and Kemp.

The Bar

THE BAR. Russiaville has not been overstocked with lawyers since her organization. W. M. Waters, admitted to the bar in 1858, was the first and only lawyer here for several years ; he had a large and lucrative practice in Howard and surrounding courts, and at one time in 1878 came within a few votes of being elected Prosecuting Attorney for Howard and Tipton Counties, the Republican candidate being elected by only eight majority. Mr. Waters stood high in his profession, and dealt honorably with all his clients. He died March 12, 1879. Freeman Cooper took Mr. Waters' practice after his death, and remained here two years. W. R. Payne came here in 1882, and is in practice here at present.

Dentistry

Dr. I. N. Cook has been engaged in the practice of dentistry for about twenty years. In 1879, Dr. J. C. Wright entered into a partnership with Dr. Cook. The firm dissolved at the end of one year, each member starting an office. In May, 1882, Dr. Wright bought Dr. Cook out, and now has the finest suite of dental rooms in the county.

The Newspapers

Freeman Cooper started the first newspaper in Russiaville. It was published chiefly in the interest of his normal school, then in full blast.

He called it the Examiner. H. J. Cooper, James Pinkerton, Alva Smith, H. C. Fellow and William Herrington, followed as editors and publishers of Russiaville papers of different names. The Standard office was destroyed by the big fire in January, 1881, being then the property of H. C. Fellow, and consisting of a good Washington press, a fine job press, and a good office outfit generally. This left the town without a paper until the Observer made its appearance, edited and published by A. T. and Mary Cosand. Mr. Cosand purchased a full office outfit at a large expense, and has furnished us the best paper ever published in the town. He also has a job office connected with the Observer.

The Binns Murder

The history of Russiaville would be very incomplete without a mention of that terrible tragedy commonly known as the " Binns Murder." On the night of the last day of January, 1870, about half past 9 o'clock, a sharp report of a gun broke the stillness of the night. The shrill, piercing screams of a woman in distress were next heard. In a few moments the cause of the trouble was painfully apparent to the citizens who turned out in the cold night to ascertain the locality of the terrible sounds. On the corner lot where now stands the Bishop & Orr brick block stood a very small building, occupied by a poor woman and three little children. The children were in bed, and the woman, Mrs. Binns, was fixing the fire in the stove before retiring for the night. She was stooping over with her face to the window, dressed in her night clothes, and while in that stooping posture a dastardly, sneaking coward approached the window, aimed at the stooping form of Mrs. Binns, and fired the shot which ended her life on the last day of March, or just two months from the time of the shooting. Jonathan Binns, the husband of the woman, with whom she had not lived for some time, had threatened her life on account of an estate that was coming to Mrs. Binns. He had tried to get it into his hands, and she, refusing to let him have it, incurred his displeasure. The neighbors learned from Mrs. Binns that she suspected her husband of committing the deed. Immediate search was made for him, and he was captured. A preliminary trial was held, and the circumstances were so strong against him that he was bound over to court. Mrs. Binns and her children were taken to the hotel then kept by W. A. Ratcliff, where she received the best of care until her death. The people were so indignant over the matter that, if it had been possible, Jonathan Binns would have suffered death at the hands of a mob ; but he was closely guarded. The following are a few of the principal points in the circumstantial evidence which convicted him of murder, and sent him to the penitentiary for life. He was seen by Jonathan Dixon on the

Honey Creek road, within a mile of Russiaville, and walking in that direction, on the same evening of the murder. He rode with William Seward in a wagon on the Honey Creek road toward Russiaville, and was identified at the trial by these men as the same person. There was snow on the ground the night of the shooting, and the next morning he was tracked in a southeast direction to where he climbed over a rail fence into Thomas Wadman's orchard. In jumping down off the fence, he jumped into a wagon wheel, his leg running through or between the spokes. At the trial, his leg was examined, and a " tell-tale " bruise and sore was found where his leg struck the wheel. He was further identified by the track a crooked foot made in the snow. These points, in connection with the threats he had made, and several other convincing features, convicted him of murder. On account of technicalities, he was granted two new trials, but was remanded to prison for life each time. The cost to the county of these three trials was thousands of dollars. The last trial was held in Clinton County on a change of venue. W. M. Waters, Russiaville's attorney, was one of the State's attorneys in the case, and made one of the best efforts in his life in his speech before the jury.

J. H. CHAMBERLAIN, son of Samuel and Maria (Bojden) Chamberlain, was born in Cohocton, Steuben County, N. Y., July 25, 1889. After receiving his education in his native State, he was employed in railroading for two years, after which he worked at the carpenter's trade two years. In 1857, he located in Indianapolis, Ind., where he engaged for five years in contracting and building, during which time he built some of the principal public buildings in that city. He then took a position with the Toledo Oil Company as city salesman ; he served in that capacity two years, when he was called upon to fill the position of traveling salesman for the company, which position he now holds. He has served as Deputy Enumerator of Marion County, and also County Assessor. He was married, December 25, 1860, to Martha Harden, of Madison County, Ind. Three children bless this union - Kett F., Frank C. and J. Harry. Mrs. Chamberlain died in January, 1874, and Mr. C. was next married at Russiaville, Ind., September 13, 1882, to Mrs. K. E. Cohee. She is a milliner in that place and does a good business, keeping a full stock of millinery and ladies' furnishing goods. Mr. Chamberlain is a member of the Knights of Honor, and a stanch member of the Republican party.

R. T. CHANDLER, merchant, was the youngest of nine children born to Robert and Margaret (Hale) Chandler; he was born in Switzerland County, Ind., May 28, 1830, and was there reared and educated, after which he was employed as clerk in a general merchandise house in Florence, Ind. After three years at this place, he purchased a tradingboat, and for two years sold goods at different points on the Ohio River. In 1853, he located at Craven Rock, 111., where he purchased a stock of goods and engaged in business two years, when he sold out. He engaged in various pursuits until 1860, when he located at Russiaville, engaging in the mercantile business a short time, after which he engaged in the drug trade until 1864, when he enlisted in Company E, Fortieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was soon appointed Clerk in the Inspector General's office, which position he held until the close of the war. He then returned to Russiaville and engaged in his former business; he has since added groceries and drugs to his stock. Mr. Chandler is also proprietor of the well-known Chandler House, a thriving hotel in Russiaville ; he was married in Russiaville, November 4, 1860, to Malinda Ratcliff, daughter of T. E. Ratcliff, of Ohio. Mr. Chandler is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

BENJAMIN P. COSAND was born January 18, 1822, in Washington County, Ind. His parents, Benjamin Cosand and Penninah (Pritchard) Cosand, natives of North Carolina, were married in 1819, and in two years settled in Indiana. Benjamin P. was one of fourteen children, and was early taught to labor on the farm. His education was limited, for he was kept out of school much of the time on account of ill health. When he was twenty-one, he bought auction goods in Louisville, Ky., and exchanged them for country produce, which he sold in the city. He continued in this business two years, when he purchased a farm in Washington County, Ind., where he remained until 1851, when he came to Howard County, and located one and three-quarter miles east of Russiaville, on forty acres of good land. He still resides on this place, and has transformed it, by improvements and additions, into a fine farm, with a good house and barn, a splendid orchard and all modern conveniences. His farm now contains 173 acres of fine land. In 1869, Mr. Cosand was recorded a minister of the Gospel in the Friends' Society, and has spent several years in the South, engaged in this work. He has contributed largely to his denomination for the construction of meeting houses and school buildings. Mr. Cosand was married, February 12, 1846, to Elizabeth R. Overman, of Washington County, Ind. She was born August 12, 1825, and died November 30, 1866. To this union there were born five chidren - Malissa, Rebecca, Ann, Martha and Benjamin B., all deceased. Mr. Cosand was next married to Sarah Trueblue, September 17, 1868. By this marriage they have seven children - Penninah I. (deceased), Ludovic E., William T., Edman N., Almeda (deceased), Riley Lee and Joseph P.

ABRAM T. COSAND, the subject of this sketch, bears in his veins a commingling of German and English blood, his paternal ancestors coming from the land of the castled Rhine, and his maternal ancestry from the English coast to the land of the Sunny South, North Carolina. The grandparents on both sides emigrated to the Hoosier State when it was in its infancy, to escape the evils of slavery. His parents, William Cosand, of Washington County, and Eliza J. White, of Orange County, were married in 1850, and came at once to what is now western Howard County, then belonging to Clinton County, and the largest portion of it an unbroken forest. Here, near where they first settled, in a log cabin surrounded by the densest forest shade, Abram was born February 10, 1854. He is the third of ten children, seven of whom are now living, he being the eldest. Here on the farm he worked with his father in the summer, and attended district school in the winter. He was fortunate in living near one of the best schools of the county, but more fortunate in having parents who, recognizing the needs of their children's receiving an education, often made sacrifices themselves that their children might have the benefit of an uninterrupted attendance at school. Abram thus spent his time until about eighteen years of age, when he began teaching in the winter, his first term being at Alto. He continued teaching for nine winters, teaching in all over forty-two months. In the spring and summer of 1874, he attended the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio. Though he attended school very little, except in the district where he lived, yet, through his love of literature and science, he gained such a knowledge of it as made him stand high among the teachers of his county. He early formed the habit of reading, and took great delight in history and biography. As a result, he imbibed patriotic ideas, and is now, as is each member of the family, politically an enthusiastic Republican. On November 4, 1877, he was joined in marriage with Lizzie S. Davis, of Kokorao. This union was of short duration ; Mrs. Cosand having contracted consumption a few months previous, on the morning of November 9, quietly quit her hold on life, dying in Christian hope and assurance. The remains now rest in the beautiful cemetery at Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Cosand continued teaching in the winter, and in the summer making his home with his father, two miles east of Russiaville, and working with him on his farms until the autumn of 1880, when, on September 9, he married Mary M. Kenworthy, of New London. They settled near Eussiaville, upon a farm owned by his father. Here they remained one year, but his health not being very rugged, and thinking some indoor occupation better suited thereto, they disposed of their farm effects, and, settling in Russiaville, founded the Russiaville Observer, December, 1881. There having been several journalistic efforts here, and some of them leaving the field of adventure, while another succumbed to the destructive fire of January 22, 1881, Mr. and Mrs. Cosand found it hard work to gain the confidence of the people in a newspaper venture at this place ; but by industry and fair dealing they have, with the aid of their efficient foreman, Mr. R. C. O'Leary, succeeded in establishing it upon a paying basis. Mr. and Mrs. Cosand are both by birth and education members of the Society of Friends. In the fall of 1882 and the following winter, they were called upon to pass through severe affliction and bereavement. Mr. Cosand, from the 1st of October till February, was confined to the house by sickness, which almost every one, at one time, thought he would scarcely survive. On the 12th of February, that winter, there was born them a little girl baby, whom they called Lena. But they were not to be long blessed with her presence. Her fine, strong form soon gave way to convulsions, which followed one another in rapid succession for about sixty hours, when nature yielded and she closed her eyes, and was forever at rest. Early in March, they again assumed their duties on the

Observer, which had in the mean time been successfully conducted by Mr. O'Leary, and the columns of this journal indicate their ability in this direction. Having passed successfully through the diflBculties incident to the early days of a country newspaper, they have apparently a prosperous future before them.

JONATHAN DIXON, son of Silas and Mary (Lindley) Dixon, was born in Lawrence County, Ind., November 19, 1822. When he was two years old, his parents came to Orange County, Ind., and here he was reared and educated. When he was grown, his father gave him 160 acres of land, which he improved and cultivated four years, when he sold, and entered 160 acres in Tipton County. There he farmed until 1858, when he purchased 110 acres near Russiaville, Howard County. He has since added sixty-five acres, and now has his farm stocked with fine stock. In 1882, he built a comfortable dwelling in Russiaville, where he is living a retired life. Mr. Dixon was married in Lawrence County, Ind., March 6, 1845, to Miss Lorniza Maxwell, who was born in Lawrence County September 24, 1825. They have one child living, America A. Mr. Dixon is a member of the Society of Friends and of the Republican party.

JOHN W. GRAHAM, son of A. J. and Lucinda (Rogers) Graham, was born in Switzerland County, Ind., November 3, 1843. When he was seven years of age, his parents moved to Delaware County, Ind., and three years later to Madison County, where John W. received the benefit of the country schools five years. He then moved to Tipton County, and later to Hamilton County, where he remained until 1871, when he removed to Leavenworth County, Kan., and engaged in farming and stock-raising for four years. He then came to Howard County, and is now located on sixty-six and two-thirds acres of fine farm land, situated near Russiaville. He was married in Hamilton County, Ind., April 13, 1865, to Miss Nannie A. Phillips, a native of Indiana, and born Decem- Tjer 9, 1844. This union has been blessed with seven children - Luella A., Charley A., Mary L., Rosa A., Fannie B., Ora and Luke F. Mr. Graham is a member in good standing of the Odd Fellow and Masonic fraternities. He is a strong Republican, and he and wife are members of the Old School Baptist Church.

J. R. GRIFFITH was born in Queensville, Ind., where he was reared and educated. In 1866, he located in Bloomington, 111., whefe he learned the tinner's trade. He then went to Elizabethtown, Bartholomew County, Ind., where he pursued his occupation until 1873, when he located in Russiaville and opened a small hardware store. He continued in this business until 1877, when he disposed of his stock and worked at his trade fifteen months in Parsons, Kan. He then clerked eighteen months in a hardware store in Nevada, Mo., after which he again opened a hardware store, under the firm name of Griffith k Evans, in Russiaville, Ind. When they had been in business sixty days they were burned out, after which they built a new room, 60x100 feet, and now carry a $25,000 stock. The firm also deals in live stock, and during 1882 shipped $75,- 000 worth of stock. Mr. Griffith started in life a poor boy, but by close attention to business he is to-day one of the largest dealers in hardware in Central Indiana. March 10, 1870, Mr. Griffith was married to Miss Martha Springer, of Elizabethtown, Ind. She gave birth to three children - Ida M., George E. and Gracie L. April 17, 1875, Mrs. Griffith died, and Mr. Griffith was married at Kokomo, Ind., September 21, 1880, to Miss Mary E. Nixon. Mr. Griffith served in the late war, in Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He is a Master Mason and a member of the I. 0. 0. F.

DAVID HODSON, Sr., was born in Highland County, Ohio, October 9, 1824. He was the youngest of thirteen children born to George and Sarah (Powel) Hodson. In 1828, his father located in Madison County, Ind., when but few white settlers were there. There he received his first schooling. When he was but ten years old, his mother died, and he lived with his sister two years. He then lived with his brother Eli, a pioneer of Madison County, two years, after which he returned to Ohio and taught school for a number of winters. In 1848, he moved to Madison County, Ind., and the following year came to Howard County, where he taught school for fifteen years. In 1856, he traded in grain and hogs for a Louisville firm. The company became insolvent, and he, being responsible, sold his land and paid all his indebtedness. He then went on his father-in-law's farm, and worked as a common laborer. At the commencement of the war, he assisted in raising troops, preaching and teaching at intervals. September 18, 1863, he was commissioned Chaplain of the Eighty-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, by 0. P. Morton, Governor of Indiana. He was sent to Fort Pickering, where he remained until January 26, 1864. He was with his regiment during all its engagements and encampments. He resigned at St. Louis, November 24, 1864. Od his return home, he was selected to represent his township at the draft commission, the duties of which he faithfully discharged. During the Red River campaign, his favorite friend, Capt. B. Gifford, of Company G; was killed. He and Capt. John E. Williams rescued the body and sent it home. During this campaign, he was taken sick, and lay in the hospital at Memphis four weeks. Mr. Hodson was married, September 24, 1845, to Miss Delilah Hart, daughter of Miles and Amy Hart. They have eleven children - Miles J., Drusilla J., Amy Ann., John L., William E., Isabel, Mary, Martha, Sarah Katherine, David

B. and Laura. Mr. Hodson is a minister in the Christain Church and was baptized by Elder Benjamin Franklin. He preached in his youth in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and has immersed hundreds. He still travels and preaches. In politics, Mr. Hodson is a Republican. He is a member of the Grand Army Post of Russiaville

BENJAMIN KING was born in Adams County, Penn., January 29, 1827. He is the son of John S. and Elizabeth (Reinhart) King. When he was one year old, his parents removed to Baltimore, Md., where they remained two years, when they removed to Carroll County, Md. There his father died, and in 1834 he came with his mother to Martin County, Ind., where they remained during the winter, and in the spring removed to Orange County, Ind. Mr. King there received a common school education. He followed farming for fourteen years, and in 1850 came to Howard County, engaging in farming and school teaching until 1861, when he purchased his present place, and is now engaged in farming and stock-raising. He has served as Assessor of Harrison Township, also as collector of delinquent taxes. He is now serving his second term as Township Trustee. He was married in Howard County, Ind., April 13, 1853, to Miss Margaret J. White. She was born in North Carolina September 8, 1830. They have had five children - Alraira E., Joseph (deceased), Oliver M., Mary E. and John R, Mr. King is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are members of the Society of Friends.

P. H. McCANN (deceased) was born March 19, 1829, in Pendleton County, Ky. His father, Patrick, was a native of Ireland, and emigrated to Kentucky when quite young. He died in 1836, leaving his consort, Elizabeth (lies) McCann, and their two children - Margaret and P. H. - to struggle for themselves. Elizabeth died June 17, 1852. She was one of ten children, the result of the union of Samuel lies with Ellen Bailey, namely, William, John, Perry, Samuel, Peggy, Hettie, Sallie, Elizabeth, Priscilla (married John, the father of Thomas and Clark Gifford), and Stephen. The latter only survives and has reared eight children, viz.: Perry, John W., S. B., William, Martha J., Margaret, Rebecca and Elizabeth, all of whom survive, save the last. The lies family are of English descent, and emigrated to America at an early period. Samuel lies died at the age of one hundred and five years, and served through the entire Revolutionary struggle of America. P. H., our subject, being left as he was without a fither when a mere boy, had but little chance to obtain an education, and only gathered, now and then, a stray thought in the country schools. By strict attention to such books as his mother was able to secure for him, he became qualified to teach in the country school, at which he applied himself during a few winters in Clinton County, and during the summers he worked by the month for farmers. He came with the family to Fayette County, Ind., when small, and subsequently to Rush County, the same State, In 1852, he came to Clinton County (now Howard), and for a time made his home with his sister, Margaret, the wife of Ira Bishop, the parents of William H., Nancy, Mary, Margaret, Patrick, Jane, Angie, Alice, John and Belle. His mother was able to give him a little start, and this, with the means obtained by teaching and in rural pursuits as a servant, he purchased land which he owned at his de cease, April 13, 1883. He was married, February 2, 1859, to Sarah E. Thompson, a native of North Carolina, then a resident of Honey Creek Township, this county. By her he was blessed with one child, Margaret E., who died May 18, 1861. His consort died April 21, 1861. He was married a second time, to Belle, a daughter of Smith and Margaret S. (Brown) Chambers, natives of North Carolina, and the parents of three children who grew up, viz.: James, Belle and Angeline. Her parents came to this county in 1852, whei-e the father died in 1855, and the mother in 1876. Her union with our subject gave her three children, viz.: Willie 0., born December 28, 1863, and died May 24, 1880; Sarah E., born September 14, 1865 ; and Mollie S., born August 18, 1867, and died December 31, 1869. Our subject's sorrows were again multiplied by the death of his second consort, October 10, 1872, since which time, up to his decease, he based his affections upon his son and daughter, the former of whom was taken from him in the eden of his youth by the death angel. P. H. McCann was known by every acquaintance of his to be a man of more than ordinary temperament, and of genuine uprightness, generous to a fault, and kind and accommodating to his neighbors. He was a hard worker, and has been known to have labored during the busy seasons of the year, on his farm, twenty hours each day. By frugality and honest dealings, he added to the treasure given him by his mother, which, together with some means, the property of his last wife, summed up quite a little fortune, which he left to his loving daughter, and other relatives. For a few years prior to his death, he devoted his time to the interests of his general stock of dry goods at Russiaville, in the firm of Bishop & McCann. He was for many years, and at his death, a member of the Baptist Church, the financial interests of which were benefited by his relationship, as well as otherwise. He adhered strictly to the principles of the Democratic party, and was a leader in that organization in the community where he resided.

DAVID MIDDLETON, son of Levi and Mary (Postgate) Middleton, was born in Montgomery County, Ind., June 22, 1826. He was reared on a farm, and educated in the common schools. He engaged in various occupations until 1850, when he removed to his present farm in Howard County. He purchased 162 acres of wild land, and began clearing and improving it. By labor and economy he has made it one of the best improved farms in the township, with a large two-story residence, erected at a cost of $3,000, with all necessary outbuildings, and with all modern improvements. Mr. Middleton has been a Howard County farmer for thirty-two years, and is now in good circumstances. He has served as Township Supervisor for many years, and has declined becoming a candidate for several important offices. He was UKirried August 9, 1849, to Mary Kashner, a native of Ohio. She died in 1859, leaving him four children - William J., Abrara, Levi J., and Martha J. Mr. Middleton married his second wife, Sarah Carter, in Tipton County, Ind., May 14, 1862. He has three children by this marriage - Hannah I., Mary E., and Ruth E. Mr. Middleton is a Republican, and for a number of years he has been a leading member of the Friends' Society.

DR. THOMAS McL. MOULDER is a native of Indiana, was born February 6, 1828, in Parke County, and is a son of John and Eleanor (Maris) Moulder. His parents were among the early settlers of the State, and his father was one of the Commissioners appointed by the Legislature to survey and locate the county seat of Howard County in the year 1844. The same year his parents settled on a 160-acre tract of land in the southwestern portion of Howard County. Thomas McL. Moulder received a good common school education. February 22, 1849, he was united in marriage to Eliza, daughter of James and Anna Williams. Her parents also were among the early settlers of this portion of the county, and were among the highly esteemed, intelligent and industrious pioneers of this reservation. This union was blessed with five children, all of whom are living - Dr. J. McLean, of Kokomo, and Louie, Ella, James and Anna, of Russiaville. For a number of years, he was one of the foremost teachers of the county. He taught a great many very successful schools in the western portion of Howard and Tipton Counties. Up to 1864, he had been engaged in farming and teaching, spending all his leisure time in reading medicine. About this time, after a careful course of study, he began the practice of medicine, and he still enjoys the confidence of a large circle of patrons in Russiaville and vicinity. In March, 1883, he had the honorary degree of M. D. conferred upon him at the Fort Wayne Medical College. Dr. Moulder has always been a true Republican, is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has held almost every office within the gift of his lodge. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church, and he is now one of the local preachers of his Church. Dr. Moulder is in every sense of the word an exemplary Christian gentleman.

Emily (Greenha) Payne. His father was a native of Maryland, and his mother of Ohio. William was reared and educated in his native county until 1876, when he entered the Northern Indiana Normal School, at Valparaiso, where he finished his studies in 1877. He then taught school for two years, after which he read law under Col. R. P. DeHart, of La Fayette, Ind. He was admitted to the La Fayette bar March 24, 1880, and practiced in that city for one year. He then located at Russiaville, where he is now actively engaged in the duties of his profession, practicing in Howard and adjoining counties. In 1881, he was commissioned Notary Public, and he is doing an active business in insurance, representing the yEtna and Springfield Fire and Marine Company of Massachusetts. He was married March 25, 1880, to Miss Alfa Warwick. She was born May 6, 1856, and died in Tippecanoe County, October 1, 1882. Mr. Payne is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a member in good standing of the I. 0. 0. F. He is also a member of the Republican party.

B. B. RICHARDS is the son of Benjamin and Eliza (Marquis) Richards, and was born in Ripley County, Ind., September 13, 1847. When he was quite young, his parents removed to Decatur County, Ind. He attended the common schools until 1865, when he entered Hartsville University, Ind., where he remained four years. He then came to Howard County and taught school for a number of years, after which he engaged in the harness and saddler's trade in Kokorao. He afterward removed his stock to New London,^ and after two and one-half years he again moved to Russiaville, where he pursued the same business until 1880. He then studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1882. In 1881, he was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he is now filling. He is also engaged in the real estate and insurance business, representing the Phcenix, of Brooklyn, N. Y.; Niagara, Western, Toronto and New England Life. Mr. Richards was married to Miss Rebecca Gossett, daughter of John Gossett, of Howard County. They have two children - Ollie E. and John 0. Mr. Richards is an Odd Fellow, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

SAMUEL RUNK, an enterprising pioneer, is a native of Virginia, and was born in Berkeley County November 27, 1816. His father, John, was born in Hanover County, Penn., and was a son of Valentine, a native of the same State and the son of Valentine Runk, who emigrated from Germany when quite young to the State of New York, where he labored seven years on a farm, to obtain money to pay to a party from whom he borrowed to defray the expense of his passage across the ocean, after which he labored seven more years, re- ceiving the means by which his parents were transferred to the American continent. He finally settled with them in Pennsylvania. John, the father of Samuel, served in the war of 1812; married Elizabeth Miller, a native of Pennsylvania ; they settled for awhile in Maryland, where to them Avere born John and Daniel. They subsequently located in Virginia, where they were blessed with Betsey, Samuel, George, William, Jacob L., Mary and Joseph T., all of whom survive. In 1836, the family moved by team to Clinton County. Ohio, where the father died at the age of eighty-four and the mother at eighty-nine. Samuel's only advantage of school was sixteen days while in Virginia. About the time of reaching his majority, he was married to Margaret Ratcliff. Her father, Edom Ratcliff, was a native of North Carolina, and with his wife, Hannah Smith, was among the first settlers of Highland County, Ohio, where they remained until 1844, when they came by wagon to what is now Honey Creek Township, and settled near the present site of Russia ville, where they died, having reared nine children, viz.: William, Mahala, Margaret, Rachel, Edom, Hannah, Andrew, Matilda and Sarah. Our subject settled where he now lives, in Honey Creek Township, in 1844. The country was then an unbroken wilderness, save here and there a small patch around a rude log cabin. The forests were inhabited by wild animals, and Mr. Runk sustained his family partly by the wild meats he could easily slaughter. By strict economy and hard labor, he has secured and improved some fine farms. In April, 1877, his wife died, having blessed him with nine children, viz.: Matilda (deceased), married Joseph Elliott, the result being two children, William and Jennie ; Hannah E., who married F. M. Duncan, whom she blessed with Alice (deceased), Samuel, Orpha, Maggie (deceased), and Earnest; William A., enlisted in the late war, where he died ; Jacob ; Miles, who married Sallie A. Orr, by whom he has Norman and Luella ; John M., attended the country, Kokomo and Lebanon, Ohio, Schools ; taught nine years, including normal terms at Kokomo and Russiaville ; began compiling biographical matter for Chicago publishing house in 1878, for which he has since labored, excepting a period as one of the editors of the Kokomo G-azette ; Louisa A., married Thomas Carter, the result being two children, viz.: Elmer and Lillie ; Maggie E. (deceased), married George T. Lindley, whom she blessed with Freddie. The last child was Abraham L. Although our subject had but little chance of education himself, he has given his children such advantages as times and limited means would permit, and five of the nine have taught school. Mr. Runk has for many years been a member of the A., F. & A. M. of Russiaville, and is a stanch Republican, as are also his entire family. He is now enjoying good health, with his second wife, Mrs. Caroline Lake, the only daughter of Thomas and Mary E. (Coleman) Blackburn.

MAJ. MELL SEWARD, son of Charles and Ann P. (Taylor) Seward, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, July 2, 1848. When young, he moved with his parents to Howard County, where he was reared and educated. In 1863, he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Thirtieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as a private. He was soon made Duty Sergeant, then Orderly Sergeant, after which he was promoted as Second Lieutenant, and later he was made First Lieutenant, which position he held until the close of the war. He participated in the engagements at Resaca, Dalton, siege of Atlanta, Nashville, Fort Anderson, Wilmington and West Fork. At the close of the war, he returned to Howard County and went on a farm. In 1871, he located in Russiaville, and engaged two years in milling, when he sold out and engaged in merchandising a short time. He then purchased a half-interest in the Russiaville Flouring Mills, where he is doing a large merchant and custom trade. The mill is a two-story frame building, 40x48, is propelled by steam, and has a capacity for making fifty barrels per day. Mr Seward was married at Russiaville, November 14, 1868, to Frances C. Jones, a native of Indiana. By this union they have three children - William A., Lulu H. and Fred G. Mr. Seward is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. and Masonic fraternity, also of the Grand Army of the Republic. His sympathies are with the Republican party. It was said by Hon, Oliver P. Morton, that Maj. Seward was the youngest commissioned officer of this State, during the late war. He is, at present. Aid-de-camp upon the staff of Gov. Porter. In the spring of 1883, he was appointed Deputy Revenue Collector of the Eleventh District, under Capt. T. M. Kirkpatrick, and is now serving in that capacity.

R. W. THOMPSON was born in Fayette County, Ind., October 11, 1842, and was the eldest of seven children born to James L. and Elizabeth (McCarty) Thompson. When he was eight years old, his parents removed to Howard County. After he had received the benefit of the country schools for some time, he attended the High School at Lebanon, Boone County. He returned home, and completed his course in Kokomo in 1867. He then taught school three terms, and soon after located on a farm, and has since followed agricultural pursuits. His farm is located west of Russiaville. It consists of the best soil, is well drained, and has all the modern improvements. In 1875, he began to labor as minister, in the Old School Baptist Church, and has given much of his time to this work. He was married, August 22, 1867, to Miss Sarah E. Hodson. She was born January 3, 1849, in Highland County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Jonathan and Delilah (Hart) Hodson. This union has been blessed with three children - George W., Mary L. and Millie E. Mr. Thompson's sympathies are with the Democratic party.

G. W. TOPPING was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, October 8, 1862, and was the youngest of two children born to James L. and Margaret (Moore) Topping. When he was but sixteen years old, his parents moved to Centertown, Ind., where, after completing his studies, he accepted a position as clerk in a drug store. After a short time, he located in Brazil, Ind., and was employed in the drug trade fifteen months, after which he went to Indianapolis, and filled a position in a drug store until October, 1882, when he purchased a stock of drugs and located at Russiaville, establishing the firm of G. W. Topping & Co. Mr. Topping is an energetic business man. His stock is full and complete, and he is rapidly building up a large and excellent trade.

HON. SAMUEL WOODY was born April 14, 1828, in Orange County, N. C. His parents, John and Mary Woody, located in Parke County, Ind., in 1829. There he worked on the farm, attending the common schools in the winter. His education was limited, but he has obtained a goodly stock of general information through reading. In 1847, he came West with his aged parents, and settled on eighty acres of land in the Miami Reserve, where be still lives. He worked hard to pay for this farm, but he now owns 400 acres of fine farm land, well cultivated, having all the modern improvements. In an early day, Mr. Woody was Township Trustee for six years. In 1874, he^was elected Joint Representative from Howard and Miami Counties, and during his term of service introduced several important bills, which afterward became laws. Formerly Mr. Woody was a Whig, but has been a Republican ever since the organization of that party. He has long been an earnest worker in the temperance cause, and has ever been ready to aid in any charitable enterprise. He has given liberally to many churches, and has assisted in building many church buildings in the county, as well as in the city of Kokomo. Mr. Woody was instrumental in organizing Honey Creek Township. He was married, February 11, 1849, to Miss Margaret Lybrook, daughter of John C. and Elizabeth Lybrook. Her parents were natives of Virginia, and pioneers of Honey Creek Township. Mr. and Mrs. Woody have had seven children - Horace G., Professor of the Kokomo High School ; John L., of Russiaville ; William P.; M. Pearl, of Arkansas ; Mrs. M. E. Alma Dimitt, Sarah L. and N. E. Ina. Mrs. Woody died January 6, 1883.

DR. J. C. WRIGHT was the sixth of ten children born to David and Jane A. (Bower) Wright. His father was a native of Ohio, and his mother of New Jersey. Dr. Wright is a native of Highland County, Ohio, and was born September 17, 1852. He was reared and educated at New London, Ohio, after which he was employed as clerk in a dry goods house two years. He then took a practical course in pharmacy in a drug store one year, when he chose as his preceptor Dr. J. F. Bower, of New Lexington, Ohio. He remained with him three years, after which he entered the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, and graduated from that institution. He then located at Russiaville, Ind., where he engaged actively in the duties of his profession, making a specialty of the eye. In 1879, he began the study of dentistry, in which art he has gained considerable reputation. Dr. Wright was County Coroner for two years, during which time he acted in several celebrated cases, among them the shooting of Mayor Cole and the hanging of Richard Long. Dr. Wright was married at Russiaville, Ind., October 9, 1873, to Miss Emma C. Ratcliff, of Highland County, Ohio, and daughter of Thomas E. and Jane (Smithson) Ratcliff, both natives of Ohio. By this marriage they have two children, Bertha J. and James C. Dr. Wright is now in active practice of dentistry, having established a successful business and a reputation as a skillful and efficient workman in that line. He also continues, to some extent, his medical practice. Dr. Wright has established a leading reputation as a writer for the newspapers, and is well read in history, science, art, and the miscellany of the day. He is one of the promising young men of Howard County, an intelligent and genial gentleman.