Howard Township

Howard Township

Howard Township comprises thirty square miles of territory, lying in the north-central part of the county, and is designated as Town 24 north, Range 4 east. It is bounded on the north by Miami County, on the east by Liberty Township, on the south by the townships of Taylor and Centre, on the west by Centre and Clay. It was named in honor of Hon. T. A. Howard, a man well and favorably known among the early citizens of the county. Big Wild Cat is the largest Avater-course by which the country is traversed, and affords the principal drainage. It flows in a westerly direction through the southern part, entering the township in Section 6, near the southeast corner, and crossing the western boundary from Section -33. It passes through one of the oldest and most highly cultivated regions in the eastern part of the county, and was the principal attraction to the early settlers of Howard. In the northwest corner of the township is Deer Creek, which affords ample drainage to that portion of the country. It enters the township from the west, flows in an easterly course for about one mile, when the current is deflected to the northwest. It receives South Deer Creek near the northwest corner of the township, and crosses the northern boundary from Section 6.

the northern and central portions, while in the southern part, along Big Wild Cat, the land is more undulating, and in some places considerably broken. When the pioneers made their first appearance, the township was covered with an almost unbroken forest of the finest timber, the principal varieties being black walnut, white walnut, several species of oak, poplar, maple, ash, elms of various kinds, sycamore along the creeks, and a dense undergrowth, consisting chiefly of spicebush. The most difficult task, which the settler had to encounter, was getting rid of so much superfluous forest growth, and various means were resorted to to eff"ect its destruction. Much valuable timber was ruthlessly destroyed, which, if standing at the present time, would represent more value than the land would bring at the highest market price. The soil of the township is of great depth and consists of the fine black mold common to this part of the country. It is clay-mixed in certain localities, very fertile and well adapted to all the cereals and fruits indigenous to Northern Indiana. As an agricultural district, Howard Township takes no second rank and can probably boast of as many well-improved farms as any other division of the county. Next to the agricultural interests, stock-raising is the most important industry, a business in which a number of persons have engaged quite extensively. The richness of the pastures and the presence of water in abundance have won for the township an enviable reputation, and her stock-farms are among the largest and best improved in the county.

First Settlers

The settlement of Howard Township by the whites dates back to the year 1840, at which time the first pioneer, a man by name of Kimball, made his appearance and located on Wild Cat, a short distance south of David Farley's farm. The country at that time was in possession of the Indians, with whom Kimball lived for several years. He adopted their mode of dress, passed the greater part of his time at their camp, participated in their hunting excursions, and was to all intents and purposes a savage himself. He remained here until about the year 1843, when, becoming restive under the increasing civilization, he took his departure and joined his red companions in the West. Several other transient settlers, whose names were not learned, came about the same time with the foregoing, and located temporarily near Cassville. They associated with the Indians also, and took their departure about the same time the latter quitted the country.

In the year 1842, George Spitzenberger, a native of Ohio, came to the township and erected a temporary habitation on Wild Cat, about a quarter of a mile south of the Lerner farm. He was attracted to the locality in quest of game, and obtained permission of the Indians to hunt and trap along the stream. He was a true type of the backwoods hunter, went clad in a peculiar garb of deer skin, and shunned all intercourse with society, for the usages of which he entertained the most profound contempt. He remained here until the year 1844, when he sold his few improvements and went to Illinois.

In the year 1842, Jacob Good settled within the present limits of the township, and obtained permission of the Indians to clear and cultivate a small patch of ground. near Wild Cat, on land at present owned by David Smith. The agreement between Good and the red men was kept in good faith, and a crop of corn was raised the following year, being the first attempt at agriculture in the township. Good was a native of Virginia, left his early home when a young man and went to Sullivan County, Tenn., where he remained until his immigration to this State, some time prior to 1840. His first settlement in Indiana was made in Henry County, where he lived until 1841, at which time he made a tour of observation through Howard County for the purpose of selecting a home. He took a claim in what is known as the " Float " Section, which he entered when the land came into market five years later. He appears to have been a man of considerable influence in the community, and did much in a quiet way toward the moral improvement of his neighborhood. His death occurred in the year 1851. One daughter, Mrs. Templin, wife of Timothy Templin, resides in the township at the present time. Salathiel Good, son of the preceding, came to the township in company with his father and took a claim in Section 35, on land at present owned and occupied by Mr. Sale. He made a good farm here and built his first cabin on the spot where the Hopewell Methodist Episcopal Church now stands. When the first school was organized in 1845, Good was elected teacher, and for a number of years thereafter was identified with the educational interests of the township. He sold his farm many years ago, and moved to Wisconsin and later to Nebraska, where he at present resides.

In the latter part of 1842, the Garringers - Alexander, David, Abner and Isaac - moved to the township and selected claims in the southern part along Wild Cat. They came fi'om Delaware County, and unlike many early settlers were men of means. The father, Alexander, settled near Hopewell Church, on the farm at present owned by Jonah Beeson, where he lived until the year 1851, at which time his death occurred. Martin Smith, a son-in-law of Jacob Good, came the same year also, and settled near an Indian village on Wild Cat. For several years the redskins were his nearest neighbors, between whom and the pioneers the most friendly relations were maintained. Smith entered land in 1847, and resided in the township until the year 1852, when he disposed of his farm and moved to Wisconsin.

In 1843, the Tyler brothers - David, James, Frank, J^athaniel and Joseph - selected homes in the township near the Garringer and Good settlements. They were natives of Ohio and proved no particular advantage to the community in which they resided, being of that thriftless class generally found on the outskirts of civilization. Ephraim Bates came in the year 1843 also, and took a claim where David Farley lives, in Section 27. He afterward entered this land and was a resident of the township until 1850, when he joined a company of gold-seekers and went to California. He died in the latter State, of cholera, soon after his arrivfil.

Among the early settlers who came in prior to 1844 may be named Christian Loffer and his sons Daniel and Simon L., all of whom settled a short distance west of the Farley farm, where they made small improvements. They moved to this county from Ohio and were identified with the township for a few years, when they sold out and moved to Iowa.

During the year 1844, the population of the township was increased by the following additions : Bernhart Lerner, Henry Loop, John W. Lewis, Wilson Brewer and a man by the name of Dix. Lerner came to the county in the year 1841 and settled in Harrison Township, where he took a claim and worked at the shoemaker's trade. Thinking to better his condition, he moved to this township three years later, and purchased a portion of his present farm, where he has since resided. In company with several others, among whom was Ephraim Bates, he went to California during the gold excitement of 1850, and remained in that State about two years. While absent, a distressing accident occurred at home, in which his wife was killed by the falling of a burning chimney. He afterward married the widow of Bates. He is the oldest settler living in the township at the present time.

Henry Loop came from Ohio and located near the western boundary of the township. He took a claim and cleared a small farm but did little toward tilling the soil, depending upon his rifle for his chief means of subsistence. He achieved quite a reputation as a bee-hunter also, and realized many dollars from the sale of wild honey, which he marketed in large quantities. He was daring almost to foolhardiness, and would climb the loftiest trees in his search for honey, and appeared as much at home among the branches as he did on terra firma. On one occasion he fell from a tree a distance of forty -five feet, and sustained injuries from which he never entirely recovered. In later years, he manufactured half bushel measures, a business which proved very remunerative, and which he followed until the time of his death in 1875.

16, where Peter Touby lives. Dix settled in the northern part of the township on the John Barnes farm, where he took a claim and made a few improvements. He is remembered as a noted backwoodsman, whose greatest delight was hunting and trapping, which he followed very successfully. By the sale of deer skins, venison hams and wild honey, he managed to supply his family with what groceries and few articles of wearing apparel they needed, while hcAveut clad in the conventional buckskin garb common among the pioneer hunters forty years ago. In the year 1848, he sold his claim to John Oakey and moved to one of the Western States.

Other early settlers were Henry Hemker, who located in Section 27, where his son still lives ; the Martin family, consisting of several sons, all of whom made temporary settlements on the Jacob Brunk farm, and a man by name of Freeman who took a claim in the same vicinity. In the year 1845, James Bell, William Stanley, Edmund Wright and John Haas selected land in the township, and moved to their claims soon after. William Hutson, James Stevens, Thompson Simmons, Andrew Caldwell, Thomas Ralston and James Caldwell came in 1846.

Prominent among those who came in that year was Rev. Jacob Stover, a minister of the United Brethren Church and one of the pioneer preachers of Northern Indiana. He was a native of Augusta County, Va., where he lived until his marriage in 1835, at which time he came West and settled in this State, near the city of Richmond. In one of his preaching tours, he passed through Howard County, and being favorably impressed with the country he determined to make it his future home. He took a claim in this township near Wild Cat, on the Eli Lock farm, to which he moved his family a few weeks later, occupying a little deserted cabin near by until a more comfortable habitation could be erected. At that time he had charge of a number of churches in Howard and adjoining counties, and spent the greater part of his time traveling to and from his different appointments. His wife relates that during one of his preaching tours, which was extended longer than usual, on account of a long, spell of stormy weather, the family stock of meal gave out, and they were compelled to do without bread for a period of ten days. Later in his life, Stover took up the medical profession and secured an extensive practice among the pioneer communities of eastern Howard, He was a resident of this township for twenty- eight years, when he sold his real estate and moved to Kokomo. His death occurred in Centre Township about six years ago.

During the year 1847, the following persons entered lands in the township : Larkin Meyers and Samuel Lewis, in Section 11 ; John Evans, in Section 8 ; John D. Lockridge, in Section 12 ; George Stewart, in

Section 13; Carey Brown, in Section 21; Smith Chambers, in Section 24 ; John Wright, in Section 28 ; Phineas W. Johnson, in Section 33. Among those who came in 1847 was Timothy Templin, a native of Highland County, Ohio, and one of the oldest settlers living in the township at the present time. He moved to Henry County, this State, in an early day, where he married a daughter of Jacob Good. He settled in the southeast corner of this township in the year mentioned and has been for thirty-six years prominently identified with the growth and development of the country.

The First Election

The first election in the township was held at the residence of Carev Brown,near the Prairie Schoolhouse, in the year 1848. At this election the following township officers were elected: Daniel Martin, Salathiel Good and Timothy Templin, Trustees ; James Pollock, Clerk ; Whalen Todhunter, Treasurer; Andrew Caldwell and Wesley Jackson, Justices of the Peace.

First Births And Marriages

The first white child born within the present limits of Howard was a daughter of John Kane, whose birth occurred in the spring of 1848. Another early birth was in the family of James Tyler a few months later. A son of Bernhart Lerner was born about this time also.

The first marriage in the township was solemnized in the year 1847 by Rev. Mr. Skillman, the contracting parties being Larker North and Martha Dix. Their laudable example was soon afterward imitated by Patrick Dix and Elizabeth, daughter of David Tyler. Other early marriages were John Haas to Jane Stanley, H. Smith to Miss Templin, -J. Lee to Mary A. Strode and Jacob Templin to Delilah Fonts.

The First Cemetery

The first burying ground in the township was laid out by Bernhart Lerner in the year 1848, and is known as the Salem Cemetery. It is situated in Section 27, and is one of the principal burying places in the township. The first interment in this cemetery was Catherine Bates, whose death occurred in 1848. Among others laid to rest here in an early day were Alexander Garringer, Mrs. Tyler, Mrs. Bernhart Lerner and Mrs. Kane. The Hopewell Cemetery was laid out about the same year, and the first interment therein was Jacob Good, one of the township's earliest pioneers.

The citizens of Howard Township displayed an early interest in educational matters and among the pioneer institutions of the country may be noted the old log schoolhouse. The first settlers coming as they did from older States, where education was the rule, the majority of them were men and women of intelligence. The first building used for school purposes was a small cabin which had been previously occupied by the family of a squatter. It stood in the northern part of the township on Bernhart Lerner's land and was first used in 1845. The room was furnished -with a few rough benches made of logs split once and hewed smooth with a common chopping ax. These rested upon an uneven floor of the same material, which required no sweeping ; a broad board extended around the apartment next to the Avail and served the purpose of a writing desk during certain hours of the day ; a large fire-place occupied the greater part of one end of the building, in the construction of which neither brick nor stones were used, a bank of earth being merely thrown against the logs to keep them from taking fire. A small rough stand for the teacher completed the interior arrangement of the room, the whole lighted by a single window in which greased paper was used instead of glass. The first pedagogue who wielded the birch in this primitive structure was Salathiel Good, who is remembered as an able instructor. His school continued three months, numbered about fifteen pupils and was supported by subscription.

The second schoolhouse was built about the year 1848 and stood on Christian Loffer's place, a short distance west of David Farley's residence. It was a log house also, but a decided improvement on the one described, and was in use about seven years. Among the early teachers at this place were Salathiel Good, Anna Gordon and Harriet Smith. In 1850, a schoolhouse was erected on Wild Cat, near the present residence of David Smith, and used the same year by Salathiel Good. Isaiah Roberts taught school about the same time in a house which stood a short distance north in Section 16.

The first public schoolhouse was built on Timothy Teraplin's farm in the year 1854. It was a comfortable hewed-log structure, and served its purpose well for many years. Good taught the first term in this building, and was followed by C. Pettijohn, Thomas Armstrong and Richard Templin, in the order named. Other early teachers of the township were David Evans, Daniel Martin, Warren Truax, Isaac Whittaker, Joseph Dixon and William Styer. As time passed the number of schoolhouses increased ; the little log cabins gradually disappeared and were replaced by the more comfortable and commodious brick and frame buildings. There are at the present time ten good school buildings in the township, all of which are well supplied with the latest improved furniture and fixtures. The following list comprises the teachers in charge at the present time : J. N. Loop, John E. Lock, Robert L. Myers, Jacob C. Sipe, H. W. Fisher, Melissa Troyer, Ada Hemper, RoUa A. Trees, John A. Miller and Mattie Lovejoy.

CHURCHES. The early church history of Howard is involved in considerable obscurity, and many dates and interesting facts relating thereto have faded from the memory of the oldest inhabitants. The early settlers were a church-going people, and held public services from house to house for several years. These early meetings were attended by all, far and near, and served to bring remote settlements into social contact. Many of the pioneer preachers were men singularly gifted with a powerful eloquence, which fired the hearts of their hearers, and many converts were gathered into the different churches. It is not positively known who preached the first sermon in the township, but, as near as can be ascertained, it was a Methodist minister by the name of Burns. He conducted a series of meetings at the residence of Bernhart Lerner, as early as 1845, and preached at intervals thereafter for two or three years. A class was organized at Lerner's house, in the year 1848. by Revs. Brooks and Fennimore, and the following names recorded as members : Bernhart Lerner and wife, Phebe Bates, Salathiel Good and wife, Martin Smith and wife, Timothy Templin and wife, Polly Thrailkill and Mrs. Hays. For one year, the little congregation had no house of worship, and held their public services, protracted and quarterly meetings, in private dwelling houses and groves.

"No silver saints, by dying miserj given, Here bribed the rage of ill-requited Heaven, But such plain roofs as piety could raise, And only vocal with the Maker's praise."

At a meeting held at Lerner's residence, in the latter part of 1849, steps were taken to erect a house of worship, and ground was selected for the purpose. Salathiel Good donated a half-acre of his farm, south of Wild Cat, in Section 35. A comfortable hewed-log edifice, 25x30 feet, was soon built thereon. At one of their early meetings, the society adopted the name Hopewell Methodist Episcopal Church, by which the class should be designated - a name which it still retains. The first pastor was Rev. Henry Badley, at that time in charge of the Kokomo Circuit, to which this charge was attached shortly after its organization. Badley served the church very acceptably for two years, and was succeeded by Rev. Forbes, who remained one year. After Forbes came Morrison, under whose labors the society was made amission of the Kokomo Circuit. Since its organization, the church has been ministered to by the following pastors: Joseph Doyle, Samuel Rhodes, Moses Marks, Abraham Gorrell, Mr. Hoback, Nathan Shackleford, Joseph Shackleford, L. Miller, William Peck, Mr. Curry, Mr. Wadkins, John W. Miller, Casey, Bearaer, Lewellen, Baker, Samuel McElwee, John Harrison, Fish, John McElwee and L. J. Templin. The pastor in charge at the present time is Rev. Mr. Wilcox. The congregation, at a meeting held in the year 1874, resolved to build a new house of worship, and a considerable sum of money was at once subscribed ; work commenced and the result was the present building, which was completed and dedicated in the winter of 1874. It is a neat brick structure, with a seating capacity of about 300, and represents a capital of $2,500. It stands opposite the old building, on ground donated by William S. Sale.

On the 6th day of August, 1845, Elder Laomi Ashley held a meeting at the residence of Thomas Martindale, near the present site of Cassville, and organized a society of the Christian, or "New Light" Church. A sermon was preached upon the occasion, and the following persons received into membership: John Hicks, Rebecca Hicks, Thomas Martindale, Francis Martindale, Jonathan Martindale, Elizabeth Martindale, William Stanley, Nancy Stanley, William Pearson, Mary Pearson, Keziah Garrett and Elizabeth Dale. For several years, Martindale's residence was used as a meeting place, and the society increased in numbers under the earnest labors of Ashley, and his successor. Elder Isaac Johnson. Amcng the early pastors was Abraham Sneethen, who deserves more than a passing notice. He was a native of Virginia, and a man of unblemished character, and was considered quite a noted preacher in his day. At an early age, he moved to Ohio, when that State was on the outskirts of civilization, and settled with his parents near Cincinnati. He entered the ministry while yet a young man, and preached at Cincinnati Avhen that city was a mere hamlet of a dozen houses. From Ohio he came to this State, where he became widely and favorably known as a pioneer evangelist. He was a sincere Christian, whose life was spent in

*' going about doing good." 'Tis true, his oratory was not what could be termed classic, nor were his scholastic acquirements of that profound type considered so essential to the success of the modern divine ; yet he was endowed with a strong, practical mind, well furnished with plain, unvarnished facts. He preached the Gospel of Christ with but few adornments of rhetoric, and was untiring in his efforts to establish the cause of his Master among the sparsely settled localities of the new country. Several churches in this and adjoining counties were established through his instrumentality, for which he preached a number of years. His death occurred several years ago, in one of the Western States. Under Sneethen's labors, the church was re-organized March 27, 1853, with eleven members, whose names are as follows : David Truax, Sarah Truax, John M. Pearson, Dorothy Pearson, Benjamin Balinger, Nancy Balinger, Phebe Roberts, Cordelia Martindale, Elizabeth Kuowles, Delilah Martindale, Thomas Martindale and Francis Martindale. The Martindale Schoolhouse was used for public worship until tlieyear 1860, when ground was purchased in the village of Cassville, and a frame building erected. This house was a comfortable edifice, about 40x55 feet, and cost the sum of $1,500. It was used until 1866, when it was purchased by the township for a schoolhouse. The present building was erected in the year 1870. It is a frame structure about 40x60 feet, and will comfortably seat 300 persons. Among the pastors and stated supplies of the church during the last twelve years were N. Myers, B. D. Hays, Dr. John L. Puckett, John R. Kob, Lute Hercules and Rev. Mr. Ryker, present incumbent.

The Salem United Brethren Church was organized at the residence of Rev. Jacob Stover, in the year 1848, with twelve members, to wit : John Goyer and wife, John Oakley and wife, David Rarey and wife, Jacob Stover and wife, Vespasian Goyer and wife, and Erastus Welsh and wife. Services were held at Stover's residence for two years, when the organization was moved to the Loffer Schoolhouse. This house was the regular preaching place for about eight years, when it was given up for the Loop Schoolhouse, the latter being larger, and more suitable for church purposes. In the year 1871, the present neat temple of worship was erected at a cost of $2,500. It is a beautiful brick structure, and stands near the Salem Cemetery, in Section 27. The pastors who have ministered to the church at different times during its history are the following: Revs. Mr. R. King, B. Witt, F. Morgan, George Mooth, William Ballon, Jonah Perkins, C. Smith, Gronendyke (under whose labors the building was erected). Bias, DeMumber and Joseph Mosier. The present pastor is Rev. Thomas Evans. The church at the present time numbers about twenty communicants. A good Sunday school is maintained.

The Cassville Methodist Episcopal Church was organized about the year 1849, with a strong membership. Their first house of worship was built in 1856, but was not completed until three years later. It was used until the year 1874, at which time their present edifice was erected. This is a large, commodious brick building, the finest in the county outside of Kokomo, and cost the sum of $4,000. The church at the present time has a large membership, and is in a flourishing condition.

The Vermont Methodist Episcopal Church is an oiFshoot of the Hopewell Methodist Church, and dates its history from the year 1875. The principal cause which led to its formation was the difficulty experienced by the members living north of the creek in reaching their place of worship during inclement seasons. The class was organized with a membership of twenty-five, and attached to Jerome Circuit. A beautiful temple of worship was erected shortly after the organization, on land donated for the purpose by James Miller and Jacob Brunk. The building is brick, cost the sum of $2,500, and is the best church edifice in the circuit. The present membership is about thirty. Rev. Mr. Wilcox is pastor.

Village Of Cassville

Cassville is situated in the northeast quarter of Section 6, near the county line, on the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway. It was laid out September, 1848, by William and Nathan Stanley, and at one time achieved quite a reputation as a trading point. The circumstance which led to its origin was the surveying of the I., P. & C. R. R. through the country, an enterprise which promised much for the future welfare of our city. Among the first to purchase and improve lots in the village were David Evans, John Hicks, B. Martin and Patrick Ilarten. The last named started a saloon soon after his arrival, which gave the place an unsavory reputation always. This dram shop was of the vilest type, and proved a plague spot to the vilage and community as long as it remained.

The first stock of goods was brought to the place by John and David Evans, who erected a good frame storehouse near the railroad. They did business very successfully about four years, when their stock was purchased by Samuel Martindale, who continued for a short time. The following merchants sold goods in the village at different times : Josiah Hite, Daniel Martin, Martin & Lewellen, Mr. Goodson, Hill & Fortner, Miller & Logan, Mr. Stutler, William Petty, James Smallwood, N. Rader and Jonathan Small. The only business house in the place was burned in 1882, and at the present time there is no store of any kind in the village.

The following list comprises the medical gentlemen who have practiced their profession fi-om Cassville : Drs. A. Walter, Reuben King, McKen-

The close proximity of the village to Kokomo, Miami and Bunker Hill has proved a serious hindrance to its growth, and at the present time it is but a mere hamlet of about a dozen houses.

Village Of Vermont

In the year 1845, Milton Hadley, a native of Ohio, came to the township, and settled near the southeast corner, where he took a claim. He made a treaty with the Indians, and secured from them a valuable tract of land in Section 7, in which he laid out the village of Vermont four years later. Hadley appears to have been a man of some energy and forethought. He platted his town for the ostensible purpose of securing the county seat, but the selection of Kokomo for that purpose proved a death-blow to the village, and put an effectual check upon its development. One of the first houses in the town was erected by Charley Ellison, and used by him for a grocery store and dram shop. His saloon was the general resort for the hard characters of the surrounding country, a fact which caused the place to be looked upon as a rough locality. An early merchant was Benjamin Jackson, who sold goods for about three years, when he disposed of his stock to John Colescott. The last store was kept by Charles Lindley. Joshua Galway started a tan-yard in the village about the year 1850, and kept it up five or six years. It proved a paying venture, and was conducted very successfully. Galway had a blacksmith shop also, which he operated in connection with his other business.

The city of Kokomo on the west and Greentown on the east absorbed the business interests of Vermont to such an extent that the town plat was finally abandoned, and of the city of large pretensions nothing now remains but a plowed field. On the completion of the Toledo, Delphos & St. Louis Narrow-Guage Railroad through the township in 1880, a station was established near the original village, and a good business house erected. There is a good store at the present time kept by James Miller, a grain house belonging to Russell, Dolman & Co., of Kokomo, and a post ofiice.

By H. C. Fellow

Clay Township is situated in the northern part of Howard County, and is bounded on the north by Cass County, on the east by Howard and Centre Townships, on the south by Centre and the Big Wild Cat, and on the west by Ervin. It was formerly a part of Kokomo Township, but was set oif and organized under the acts of 1851 and 1852, and named in honor of the great champion of American rights, Henry Clay. It contains about twenty-seven sections of excellent land, somewhat low and level in the nothern part, and considerably of a rolling or broken nature in the southern part of the township.

The Wild Cat and its many small tributaries in the southern part, and several large open ditches through the central and northern part, form the drainage system of this section. The soil consists mostly of a rich black loam, and is capable of a high state of cultivation. The history of this township extends back over a period of forty-four years, when the waters of the Wild Cat only eddied to the splash of the Indian oarsman, and the deer, bear and wild cat held undisputed sway in the gloomy solitudes of the unbroken forest.

The First Settlers

In 1838, a man by the name of Taylor, desiring to locate himself in the " Seven Mile Strip," took a claim on a tract now known as the Simmons farm. Finding himself out of the bounds of this strip, he deserted this claim, and moved over into the present limits of Honey Creek. The Taylor claim T. A. Long obtained possession of two years later, paying a man by the name of Heart for the same the sum of $100. The cabin on this claim stood west of Simmons' barn, while Long's little gunsmith shop stood in the front yard, not more than thirty feet from the pike.

In the summer of 1841, it is thought, the first patch of corn in the county was raised on this place ; some two years after Long put out on this place the first nursery in the county. In 1840, a man by the name of McHone settled near a prairie in the northern part, which tract afterward bore the name of " McHone Prairie." The next year, Peter Gay and Chris Cromer and a Mr. Linden settled in the southern part of the township.

In ' 1842, tliose who settled in this part were Samuel McClellan, Harvey Johnson, Jason Clark, James McCalley, David Ilowser, David Lambert, S. B. Lambert and Warwick Johnson. The next year witnessed the arrival of W. H. Conwell, Capt. T. M. Kirkpatrick,

Thomas Dimitt, Adam Smith, W. B. Smith, George Dimitt, Holeman Dimitt, Jacob Holeman, M. W. Carr, Daniel Richards, John Garden, Thomas M. Carrothers, Crawford Griffith, James Thompson, George W. Smith, Moses Scott and Sampson Allen. This was during the time that David Foster had his trading house on the Seven Mile boundary, some twenty rods north of the crossing of the Wild Cat pike and the road running on the east side of W. W. Smith's farm. The house was contructed of logs and stoutly built, with port holes in the walls. The store room was on the Seven Mile territory, while the counter over which he sold goods was in the Reserve. It is thought that this peculiar location was chosen to evade the law in selling whisky to the Indians on Government territory. This was at a time when cucumbers sold for $1 a dozen, needles $1 a piece, and no woman in this part of the State other than the good wife of Foster could " sit down on a half bushel of silver dollars."

Early Events

The first religious meetings were held in private families, while the first preaching we have any account of was done by Frank Taylor, in 1842. After him, the Gospel was preached to the pioneer settlers by David Rush, George W. Smith, Jacob Colclazer, Lewis Johnson, and others. In 1845, the Methodists built a log church on Spice Run, near Capt. Kirkpatrick's house, and in the same year a log schoolhouse was built on the Long farm. Among the pedagogues of birchen fame are the names of Julia Chaffin, David Rush, Silas Baldwin, David Lambert, W. B. Smith, Robert McClelland and Charles Price.

The first post office was in the house of George W. Smith, near Bell's Prairie, on a route from Kokorao to Logansport. Before the township was organized, Capt. Kirkpatrick served as Justice of the Peace.

The first election after the organization of the township was held at the house of David Ridgeley, and resulted as follows : Thomas M. Carrothers, A. M. Reeves and W. Daley, Trustees; L. Scott, Treasurer; J. W. Campbell, Clerk ; T. A. Long and S. S. Crail, Justices of the Peace ; A. Brown and B. B. Preble, Constables.

On T. A. Long's place was the great carnping-ground of the Miami Indians, who came from along Deer Creek and Pipe Creek to trade with Foster. There yet remains in a ravine on the south side of this place an old Indian spring, nicely walled with stone, while a great many stone implements are also found here. On this place, southeast of the house, are three large sinks, all in a line. Two of these are perfectly round, and each some forty feet across, while the third and larger one is a little more oblong, and is about 120 feet across. On account of being situated on a high bluff, these sinks could not have been the work of beavers, and we are therefore inclined to believe them to be the work of Mound-Builders. It was in the old orchard west of the run, on this same place, that Pete Cornstalk, the peace chief, murdered an Indian brother for a slight provocation. In different parts of the township are evidences of the existence of iron ore, and also the finest deposits of gravel in Howard County.

Early Trustee Meetings

The first meeting of the Township Board of Trustees took place on April 11, 1853. The report says: "The Board of Trustees of Clay Township met April 11, and organized by choosing A. W. Daily, President, and not being in possession of the laws defining the duties of Trustees, they adjourned to meet April 30, 1853." The first order of the board was made April 30, 1853, when it was ordered, " that the County Auditor be notified that the Board of Trustees of the township have levied a tax of 5 cents on each f 100 for road purposes, and a tax of 10 cents on each $100 for township purposes." On August 6, 1853, it was ordered " that school-house No. 1 be located in the neighborhood of T. A. Long; No. 2 in the neighborhood of John Miller ; No. 3 in the neighborhood of Josiah Marcum ; No. 5 in the neighborhood of Jacob Holeman. The schoolhouses are to be built of hewed logs, twenty feet square, with shingle roof - that is, Nos. 1, 2 and 3. Tax payers may put in work in lieu of paying the money by the 1st of November. The work for repairs on schoolhouse No. 5 will be taken by that time. Wages, 65 cents per day."

On March 25, 1854, the following badly spelled order was made: " Now comes Moholan S. Reaves, School Teacher in District No. 4, and files his Report by an Afadaved to the Township Clerk, for the Terra of Forty-Foure days, at the rate of sixty Dollars per quarter, witch Report was alowed By the Board of Trustees."

Miscellaneous Notes, Tax Figures, Etc

The first brick house in the township was built by H. W. Smith in 1859. The township is traversed by four excellent gravel roads, and a division of the Pan-Handle Railroad, all running into Kokomo. On the railroad is located a small town and post office, which bears the name of Jewell, although no plat of a town was ever made.

The principal church in the township is that of " Shiloh," erected in 1874, under the direction of the Trustees, Daniel Spraker, James H. Kerlin and John Hamilton; and Treasurer, William W. Smith. The church was dedicated in June of the same year. The estimated cost was $1,700. The society is in a flourishing condition under C. E. White as pastor. There is also a small church at Jewell.

The Shiloh Cemetery is on a nice lot of ground just west of the church. The first interment was made in 1864. The first Trustees were J. W. Lanham, William W. Smith and Willard Johnson.

The principal occupation of the laboring class outside of farming is that of the saw milling business, there being several saw mills located in different parts of the township. A mercantile and blacksmithing business is carried on at Jewell.

The township is somewhat Democratic on the State election. It has, however, elected a Republican Trustee (Mr. B. B. Preble) the last two elections. The vote for Secretary of State for 1882 was as follows : 134 Republican, 147 Democrat, and 25 National.

The value of the land in the township amounts to $237,820, while the improvements on the same foot up |64,825. Of personal property, the records show a grand total of $79,200, making a total of taxable property of $381,845. The total tax for 1882 amounted to $7,510.39.

In comparing the history of Clay Township of 1873 with that of 1882, we find that there have been many marked changes in the population, taxation and drainage. Although there were a less number of school districts in 1873 than in 1882, yet the enrollment of children between the ages of six and twenty-one, in 1873, is 519, while the list for 1882 only foots up to 405. The common school revenue for 1873 was $1,113.66, against $473.39 in 1882. The special school tax for 1873 lacked $296.37 of equaling that for 1882, the amount for the first date being $494.96, and for 1882, $791.33. The township tuition tax shows a falling ofi" of $451.02, the showing for 1873 being $661.39, and for 1882 only $210.37. Thus, we have a total of school fund moneys of $2,270.01 for 1873, against $1,475.09 for the year of 1882.

Drainage

The drainage system of the township up to 1873, was very meager compared with what it is at present. But a few small open ditches then helped to carry the water away from the marshy districts of the township, while now there are nearly a half score of large county ditches in the township and several more under comtemplation. The first ditching companies formed in Clay for the purpose of making better the drainage system were organized under the law of 1873, as the Clay Union and also the Howser Drainage Association. Under the acts of 1875, the county began its work of constructing public ditches. Now we have the McReynolds ditch extending from Clay into Ervin, constructed at a cost of $7,285 ; the Bulk ditch of some seven miles in length, costing $5,294.25 ; the James E. Kidder ditch, costing $2,708.84 ; the Levi Conwell ditch, costing $1,920 ; the John Locus ditch, costing $1,- 112.71 ; the William Conwell ditch, constructed at a cost of $3,346.73 ; and the Huston ditch, at a cost of $2,127. The estimated cost of the John Davis ditch is $4,064.50. Probably the longest and most expensive ditch in this part of the State, called the Tate & Harness ditch, will run through a good part of Clay. The length of this ditch will be about eleven miles and will cost $15,038.94. Besides those mentioned, the John M. Fossett and Harlan ditches are now constructino-.

JOWN W. BLAKELY is the fourth son of twelve children born to Thomas and Eliza (Blair) Blakely, the former a native of Ireland, the latter of Ohio. John W. was born April 10, 1847, in Franklin County, Ohio, where he remained twenty-four years. His boyhood days were spent on the farm, working to help support the family, and he received but a limited education. He was married, January 24, 1871, to Miss Mary F, Teegardin, daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Crum) Teegardin, natives of Pennsylvania. She was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, November 22, 1845. Four children crowned this union - Irvin W., born September 8, 1872; Laura E., born October 30, 1875; Jennie L. (deceased), born February 9, 1877, and Homer A., born January 21, 1881. When he was married, he was in very limited circumstances ; he moved to Allen County, Ohio, where he remained ten years working on a farm; he then came to this county, locating in Howard Township, on his father-in-law's place, where he is now living ; he is an energetic farmer and worthy citizen ; he is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. and is one of the most active workers in the Democratic party.

N. U. CARTER is the son of Elijah and Maria (Wilkinson) Carter, of English and Irish descent. Our subject was born in Bartholomew County, Ind., August 17, 1829, and spent his youth on the farm and attended the common schools. At the age of twenty-three, he was married to Mary F. Browning, daughter of Eiza and Frances (Florence) Browning, of Bartholomew County. Mr. Carter came to Howard County in 1869 and purchased a farm of ninety-seven acres in Howard Township, and has since by industry and economy been able to add to this until now he has 147 acres of choice land with all necessary improvements. Upon this pleasant place he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Carter have two children - William T. and Elza M. Mr. Carter adheres closely to Republican principles and has held the office of Supervisor of his district for eight successive years. Both he and wife are identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are among its most active workers.

JOHN H. COOMLER, a prominent farmer, is the fifth in a family of thirteen children born to Jacob and Mary (Hoifman) Coomler. natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. John H. Coomler was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, December 12, 1837, and was reared on the farm and received a common school education. He married Susan Thomas, daughter of Benjamin and Anna (Good) Thomas, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, and of German descent. He enlisted August 16. 1862, in Company K. One Hundred and Firsc Regiment Indiaija Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Makahan ; he served three years and participated in the battles of Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge ; he was with Sherman on his march to the sea, and was discharged June 24, 1865. Mr. Coomler came to Wabash County, Ind., in 1842, and there remained until the fall of 1880, when he came to Howard County and purchased 220 acres of land near Cissville, where he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Coomler have had ten children - Elmer E., Lizzie M., Cora L., Benjamin F., Mattie 0., John Sherman, Ovid Cecil, Nettie A., Ettie L. and Charley C. (deceased). Mr. Coomler is at present Supervisor of his district in Howard Township ; he held the position of Steward in the Grange organization during its existence, and his wife is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

HANS EK is the second of eleven children horn to Peter and Emma (Pierson) Ek, natives of Sweden, and of Swedish descent. Hans was born November 2, 1831, and was reared in Sweden, and there received his education. He landed in New York City June 19, 1850, and thence went to Chicago, where he remained three years. Pie subsequently came to Kokomo, Ind., and here labored in a saw mill as head sawyer for about two years, and in April, 1861, enlisted in Company E, Thirteenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in June 19. He was in the service three years and three months, and participated in battles at Rich Mountain, Greenbrier, Alleghany, Winchester, Cold Harbor, Fort Wagner, Foster's Plantation and Petersburg. He received no wounds, was stout and well, and was never oft' from duty while in the service. He was discharged June 19, 186-1, at Indianapolis. Mr. Ek was married, November 21, 1859, to Sarah Custer, daughter of Christopher and Elizabeth (Clark) Custer, natives of Indiana. This union has been blessed with seven children - Emma Henderson, Elizabeth, Rhoda, Lewis (deceased), Charles, Lienvel and Blanche (deceased). Mr. Ek owned and managed the saw mill at Cassville for fifteen years, and is now the owner of a steam threshing-machine. He is at present located upon a farm near Cassville, and he and wife are prominent members of the Christian Church.

VESPASIAN GOYER is the eldest of nine children born to John and Margaret (Spangler) Goyer, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania. He was born November 5, 1820, in Franklin County, Penn., where he passed a few years of his childhood, when he removed with his parents to Muskingum County, Ohio. In 1847, he came to this county, taking a pre emption claim, and is now living on the same ground. He afterward entered 160 acres before the land sale. He now has a good farm, with substantial buildings. He has added to the original until his farm contains 240 acres, which he has accumulated mostly through his own efforts, having received a little assistance from his father's estate. He received a common school education in his youth, and taught two terms of school of three months. After he had entered land, he was married, August 2, 1851, to Lucy Remington, a native of New York. She was the second of seven children born to Russel and Lydia (Barns) Remington, both natives of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Goyer have had eleven children - Lydia A., John R., Martha, Viola (deceased), Evaline, Luther, Ulyssus, Isabelle, Cyrus (deceased), Minnie and Edgar V. Mr. Goyer was in an early day a Whig, but of late years is a strong advocate of Republican principles. He is a liberal giver to all public interests, and he and wife have been identified with the Christian Church for over thirty years.

F. and Caroline (Retburg) Heraper, both natives of Germany and of German descent. Henry G. was born September 6, 1825, in Germany. His father was in the battle of Waterloo under Wellington, and emigrated to this country in 1837. He landed in New York and settled in Connecticut, where he remained about eighteen months. In the fall of 1839, he moved to Columbus, Ohio, and in 1847 removed to Madison County. The following year, he came to this county, locating in Howard Township, and remained in this county until his death. The subject of this sketch made his home with his parents until he was twenty-three years of age. He worked on the farm, and through his own efforts received a common school education. He came on a prospecting tour to this county in 1846, returned home, and in 1848 came again with his father. He returned to Ohio the same year and began business for himself, where he remoined ten years. He then returned to Howard County and located in the forest in Howard Township on eighty acres which he had entered ten years before. He has added to this and now owns 120 acres of wellimproved land. He was married, March 4, 1852, to Elizabeth Kisner (deceased). She was a native of Ohio, and was the first of four children born to Henry and Casander Kisner, both natives of Maryland. Six children crowned this union - Mary C. Spraker, Joanna (deceased), Emma C, Casander, Fannie K. and Addie M. Mr. Hemper has taken a great pride in educating his children, and Fannie and Addie are among the best teachers of the county. He has always voted the Pemocratic ticket, and is one of the party's most active workers.

CHARLES L. HUTSON is the eldest of a family of eight children born to William and Frankie (Lewis) Hutson, natives of Kentucky, and of Irish and English descent. His father came to Indiana in an early day and settled in Boone County, and subsequently located in Howard County. He entered 160 acres of land in Howard Township, erected a log cabin, and cleared a home for himself and family. He endured al the privations of a pioneer life in the wilderness, and has since, by industry and economy, been able to add to his farm until he had 480 acres of the choice land of Howard Township. Mr. Hutson has since divided this land with his children, and is at present located upon a farm of 280 acres near Kokomo. In an early day, Mr. Hutson was Trustee of Howard Township for several terms. Charles L. was born February 5, 1843, and was reared upon the farm, where he received a common school education. At the age of twenty-two years, he was married to Miss Clarcy Ring, daughter of James and Melvinia (Reeder) Ring, natives of Indiana. This union has been crowned with four children - Effa (deceased), Elcy (deceased), William 0. and James D. Mr. Hutson, since his marriage, has followed agricultural pursuits, and is at present located upon a farm of 129 acres near Kokomo, with all necessary improvements. Mr. Hutson is an active politician in the Democratic ranks, casting his first ballot for G. B. McClellen in 1864.

WILLIAM LAMASTER, a prominent farmer and resident of Cassville, is the eldest of a family of eight children born to Isaac and Susan (Nabours) Lamasters, natives of Kentucky and A'^irginia, of French descent. William was born, January 12, 1827, and received a limited education in tho common schools ; he remained upon the farm with his father until October 10, 1852, when he was married to Charlotte Crone, daughter of Henry and Mary (Clines) Crone, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. Mr. Lamaster, shortly after his marriage, moved upon a farm near Waupecon, and here remained until the spring of 1865, when he sold out and purchased 160 acres in Howard County, adjoining Cassville ; to this he has added more land, and now has 240 acres of well-improved land, with all necessary improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Lamaster have had six children - Rosie Henderson, William H., Martha J. Woody, Sarah Lovinia, Charles Wesley and Mary Ettie, four of whom are living. Mr. Lamaster is an active worker in the Republican ranks, having cast his first ballot for Zachary Taylor in 1848. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lamaster are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

DAVID MARKLAND, an enterprising farmer of Howard Township, is the second of seven children born to William C. and Sarah (Atkinson) Markland, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of New Jersey. Daniel was born April 10, 1836, in Hamilton County, Ohio, and came with his parents to this county in the fall of 1855 ; he made his home with his father until he was twenty-four years of age, working on the farm and attending the pioneer schools of that day. He subsequently attended a select school in Kokomo for three months, and thereby received a good common school education ; he has taught six terms of school, of which four terms were taught in one district ; he began teaching at the age of twenty- two, and was considered a success in his profession, but illhealth compelled him to leave the school room and lead a farmer's life ; he received a little money at his father's death, and now owns 188 acres of good land, with all modern improvements ; he is an enterprising, energetic farmer; through economy has secured sufficient means tc live comfortably the rest of his life ; he was married to Margaret Goodwine October 17, 1860. She was the fifth of ten children born to Charles P. and Catherine (Miller) Goodwine, natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Markland have six children - Catherine, William C., Benjamin F., Eliza, Charles P. and Edward C. Mr. Markland was elected Justice of the Peace in 1864, and held this position for sixteen successive years ; he is a Repub- lican in politics, having cast his first vote for President Lincoln, and he and wife have been members of the U. B. Church for several years.

SAMUEL IIICHEY was born in Wyandot County, Ohio, June 17, 1840, and is the son of John C. and Sarah A. (Prebble) Richey, of Irish, French and German-English descent. Samuel Richey was reared on the farm, and being of a patriotic disposition, enlisted in August, 1861, in Company D, Thirty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry as a private, and was mustered in at Indianapolis under Gen. Woods ; he served about eighteen months' and engaged in battles at Shiloh and Stone River ; he was wounded in the battle of Shiloh, losing his left arm, near the shoulder joint, and for his disability was discharged March 25, 1863. The followinor July, he began organizing Company H, One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment of six months' men, and in September the company was mustered in. Mr- Richey was elected Captain, but as a choice accepted the position of Second Lieutenant. They were sent to Cumberland Gap, where Mr. Richey was placed in command to guard the gap. He had about 320 men under his command, and in less than three days had reduced this number to about three men, having given them passes with which to return home ; he then joined his regiment at Walker's Ford, and was made Mail Agent to Knoxville ; he was there during the engagement at that place, after which he returned to his command, and subsequently returned home. He was married, July 5, 1865, to Meldah Soughers, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Miller) Soughers, natives of North Carolina. This union has been crowned with seven children - J. C. S., Rodney A., Emily C, Lorenzo F., Sarah L., Samuel A. and Joshua P., four of whom are yet living. Mr. Richey is at present located in Cassville, Howard Township. He became a member of the I. 0. 0. F. in Kokomo, in 1868, and is an active working politician in the Republican ranks ; he has held the office of County Recorder eight years, and is at present holding the office of Notary Public, which he has held for eight years ; he was the first man to establish an abstract office in Howard County. Both Mr. and Mrs. Richey are identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are among its most prominent members.

WILLIAM S. SALE, son of James and Aurelia (Gray) Sale, natives of North Carolina, and of English descent, was born December 6, 1826, and remained with his parents until he was twenty- one years of age ; he worked on the farm and received a limited education, and subsequently left North Carolina and located in Huntington County, Ind., where he farmed for seventeen years. In his youth he followed clearing for a livelihood, and in the fall of 1864 came to this county, locating in Howard Township, on a farm of eighty acres, where he still lives. He has accumulated what he possesses through his own labors, and has just completed a handsome brick residence at a cost of $2,500. Mr. Sale was first married in 1857, to Aana Crandal, a native of Ohio. They had five children - Emma, Laura, Freeman and two infants deceased. He was married, the second time, to Martha A. Rowlings Tharp, a native of Kentucky. Four children crowned this union - Owen A., Fay (deceased), Clyde and Maud. Mr. Sale has been an Odd Fellow since 1870; is a member of the Baptist Church, and is an active worker in the Republican party.

JESSE C. STEWART, son of Stephen and Elizabeth (Corn) Stewart, natives of Kentucky, and of Irish descent, was born June 24, 1827. He was reared upon the farm, but owing to necessities of labor received but a limited education. By the early death of his father, he was left to his mother's care. March 28, 1854, he was married to Mary A. Luery, daughter of Solomon Luery and wife, natives of Virginia. They had one child - William L. Mrs. Stewart (now deceased), was a prominent member of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Stewart was married, the second time, June 6, 1856, to Emma Start, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Palmer, of this county. Three children blessed this union - Elizabeth A. Smith, Caroline and Stephen A. Mr. Stewart enlisted in August, 1862, under Capt. Burns, in Company F, Eighty-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served three years. He participated in the following battles : Munfordsville, Ft. De Russey, Pleasant Hill, Bayou, Lamore, Marksville, Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely. While marching from Vicksburg to Meridian, he was wounded by the kick of a horse to such an extent as to cripple him for life. He was discharged July 22, 1865, and in May, 1869, married Susana Brown, daughter of Abijah and Sarah (Lewis) Brown, natives of Kentucky. This union has been blessed with two children - John W. and Elmer B. Mr. Stewart is one of the prominent farmers of Howard Township, and his wife is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JACKSON TRIPPEER, merchant at Cassville, carrying a |2,000 stock of goods, and doing a first-class business, is the youno-est of thirteen children born to John and Catharine (English) Trippeer, of French tind Irish descent. His father came to Miam i County, Ind., in 1844 and engaged in farming near Peru until his death in 1874. His mother was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Jackson Trippeer was born August 4, 1844, and farmed with his father and brother until November 14, 1866, when he was married to Alice Ann Conn, born February 14, 1849, daughter of Joseph and Alice Ann (Pierce) Conn, natives of Ohio. Mr. Trippeer continued to farm after his marriage until April, 1878, when he engaged in the mercantile business in Peru, Ind. There he remained thirteen months, when he sold his Stock and removed to Rich Valley, Wabash County, where he continued in business about four years. He then removed his stock to Cassville, Howard County, where he is now located and doing a thriving business. Mr. and Mrs. Trippeer have had three children - William, born March 14, 1868 ; Ida (deceased), born November 25, 1870, and Lewis, born April 14, 1874. Mrs. Trippeer is a member of the United Brethren Church, and is one of its most prominent workers.

ERASTUS WELSH is the son of Benjamin and Catherine (Beard) Welsh (both deceased), of Irish descent. His parents were married in Muskinc^um County, Ohio; removed to Iowa in 1856, and in 1868 located in this township, where his father died soon afterward. Erastus was born November 29, 1834, in Muskingum County, Ohio, and remained on the farm until he was twenty-two years of age. He worked during the summer months, and attended school in the winter. In 1856, he came to this county, locating in Howard Township, on eighty acres of land in the green woods, given him by his father-in-law. He is still living upon this farm, which he has cleared and improved. Mr. Welsh was married, June 19, 1856, to Miss Susan Goyer, a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, and is the daughter of John and Margaret (Spangler) Goyer. Mr. Welsh has always been a friend to orphan children. He took Alfred Pugh at the age of eight years and reared him to manhood, and now has Mildred McClure, a little girl, living with him. He is a member of the Masonic order, and is an active member of the Republican party. He is a liberal giver to all public improvements, and his wife has been a member of the United Brethren Church for over ten years.

ROBERT McClelland, son of Samuel and Margaret (Cooper) Mc- Clelland, was born in Lawrence County, Ind., February 16, 1834, and is of Scotch-German descent. His father emigrated from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, and in 1827 located in Lawrence County, Ind. ; his mother emigrated from Virginia to Indiana in 1819. The subject of this sketch, when but two years old, removed with his parents to Hendricks County and there remained until 1842. His father, desirous of finding a home, in the reserve, took a claim in Harrison Township, Howard County, and commenced the erection of a cabin. But cold weather set in before it was completed, and they moved into a cabin on the south part of the tract Robert now owns. This claim his father held and by hard work he and his sons cleared up the heavy forest. Robert McClelland received a somewhat limited education, and worked for his father until he was twenty-four years of age. He taught one term of school in the winter of 1858. He experienced a great loss in the death of his father in 1855, and in 1863 located on his portion, eighty acres, of the homestead. He still lives upon this, and has made it an excellent grain and stock farm. He was Assessor of Clay Township in 1867-68. He has for several years been an active member of the Masonic fraternity, and casts his ballot with the Democratic party. He was married, April 30, 1859, to Mary E. Smith, of Clay Township. They have had two children - Margaret A. and Edwin A. His wife died February 6, 1880 ; his mother still lives with him, a veritable monument of the pioneer days.

EDWIN P. MEYERS, Postmaster at Jewell, is a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, where he was born December 25, 1836. His parents, James and Mary (Powell) Meyers, were natives of Virginia ; they came to Daviess County, Ind., in 1840, where our subject was reared until he was twelve years old. He then went to Franklin, Johnson County, where he attended college. Upon the breaking-out of the war, he enlisted and was in service over three years. During this entire period he served as Orderly upon the StaflFs of Alexander McDowell, McCook, and subsequently with Gens. Kirk and Rosecrans. He was honorably discharged in 1864, and returned to Franklin, Ind., where, November 3. 1864, he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Wiley, daughter of Spencer Wiley, of Franklin. His next venture was in the mercantile trade at Galveston, Cass County, which proved disastrous. In 1875, he came to Howard County, locating at Jewell, Clay Township, where he has since resided. He has been Postmaster of Jewell since his residence there, and is now serving as Justice of the Peace. He is a member of Galveston Lodge, No. 244, A., F. & A. M., and a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Meyer was formerly a Republican, but is now a Greenbacker in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have two children - Louis S. and Charles E.

M. S. REAVES is a native of Greene County, Ohio, where he was born February 2, 1825. His father, George Reaves, was a native of Virginia. The subject of this sketch remained in his native State until April, 1851, when he removed to Illinois ; there he remained only a few months, and in November of the same year he came to Howard County, where he has resided up to the present writing. Mr. Reaves was one of the early school teachers of this county. He has been identified with all progressive measures and served as Trustee and Justice of the Peace in Clay Township eight years each. He is a member of the Old School Baptist Church, and is a Democrat in politics. He owns fortj? acres of good land located in Clay Township. Mr. Reaves was united in marriage February 5, 1846, to Harriet Blystone, They have one child living, Angeline, wife of John Jones, of Kokorao, and one. Louise, deceased.

HENRY W. SMITH, son of Fielding and Rhoda (Carpenter) Smith, was born in Madison County, Va., in 1817, and is of Franco- German descent. He was reared on a farm in Virginia and received a fair Engiish education. His father died when he was twelve years old, and he and his brother continued to farm the old homestead. At the age of twenty, he removed to Kentucky and settled near Brownsboro, in Oldham County, and three years later located on a farm in Jeflferson County, Ky., where he remained thirteen years. He was married October 1, 1840, to Permelia M. Gaw, of Jefferson County. They had ten children, eight of whom are living. In 1853, he purchased land in Clay Township and added to this till he had over 600 acres, but has since divided with his children and now has about 300 acres. On this he has erected a barn and brick residence, and has one of the best arranged grain and stock farms in the county. He has always belonged to the Democratic party, and has taken a great interest in the public improvements of his county and community.

WILLIAM W. SMITH, son of Henry W. and Permelia (Garr) Smith, was born in Jefferson County, Ky., August 10, 1841. He was reared on a farm, and attended school during the winter months, de voting himself studiously to his books. He attended the common schools until he was twenty years of age, when he attended the Kokomo Normal one term. In 1853, his father having purchased a large tract of land in Clay Township, Howard Co., Ind., he came with him to the newly opened reserve. Mr. Smith was married December 22, 1863, to Sarah E. Spraker, of Rush County. They have five children - Addison E., aged eighteen ; Amelia, aged fifteen ; Charles M., aged nine years ; Omer J., aged seven, and an infant. In 1864, he purchased a tract of land, and in 1872 bought the land he now owns. His farm now consists of 240 acres of fine land, and lies a quarter of a mile west of Shiloh Church, in Clay Township. He is preparing to erect an elegant brick residence and commodious out-buildings. He belongs to the Missionary Baptist Church, and is identified with the National party.