Jamestown Township

Jamestown Township

Jamestown Township lies in the north tier, adjoining the State of Michigan, which bounds it on the north. To the east lies Fremont Township, to the south Pleasant, and to the west Mill Grove. The township is a little less than six miles east and west, and a little more than four miles north and south. It thus contains about twenty-four square miles, or about 15,500 acres, of which say 2,000 acres are covered by water. The township contains some of the finest lakes in the county, and offers unrivaled advantages to the sportsman who desires a successful fishing trip, to the city man who needs a few weeks quiet amid attractive scenery, or to the farmer who wants to locate in as beautiful a region as is in Indiana. Lake James, the largest body of water in the county, stretches from the south line nearly to the village of Jamestown, covering half of sections 28 and 33, and parts of 21, 27 and 34. Lake Jimerson covers half of section 32. Lake George lies on sections 14 and 15, near Jamestown, and stretches into Michigan, as does Hog Lake, on section 17, and Lake Pleasant, in the northwestern corner, on 18. Others are Upper and Lower Otter lakes, on sections 26 and 2Y; Green's Lake, on 26; Failing Lake, on 35; Marsh Lake, on 25; Mud Lake, on 22, and Walters's Lake, on 13.

As mentioned in the history of Fremont Township, the first settlers arrived near Willow Prairie on one of the last days of August, 1835. Jamestown Township received some of its first permanent settlers only a few days later. Dennis Depue, John D. Depue, John Wilkins and Jared Fox were among the pioneers ot the township. They arrived Sept. 8,1835. Six weeks later, when the forests were gorgeously arrayed in all the bright and beautiful colors peculiar to the northern woods in autumn, the population of the settlement was materially increased by the arrival of Henry Depue, Sr., Michael Depue, Benjamin Depue, Henry Depue, Levi Depue and Mary Hoxter. Henry and Levi Depue settled in Orland, and John D. and Benjamin Depue located in Branch County, Mich. John Wilkins and Dennis Depue, settled in Jamestown Township, near the village of that name. Jared Fox settled in Gilead, Branch Co., Mich.

The first entry of land in the township was made by Albert Ansley, May 10, 1835, it being the southeast fractional quarter of section 18, containing ninety-two and one-fourth acres. The second entry was made nine days later by Elon Elmore. The third entry was made June 27, 1835, by George Harding, who has long been a prominent citizen of Orland, and an active member of the Old Settlers' Association of Steuben County. He entered two pieces of laud on Lake Pleasant, one on the northeast and the other on the southeast corner of the lake. Barton Collins entered his land on the 3d of July. He built the first house between Orland and Beau Creek, Ohio, fifty-three miles east, on the Vistula road. Thomas Knott built the second house in the township, on the southeast corner of section 15.

Orrin Preston entered the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 19, and settled on that piece. He went to mill at Constantine, Mich., once, and when he arrived there he found the mill broken down, and was obliged to go to Montville, seven miles farther on. He started away from home Monday morning, and when he arrived at Montville the miller told him he could not grind his grist, for a man was there who had come fifty miles. Parties had been therefrom Chicago to buy flour, and he expected other buyers at any time, and he had no flour to supply them, for his custom was so large he was obliged to run day and night. He could not grind Mr. Preston's, as he was full. Mr. Preston Anally induced the miller to grind his grist so that he could start for home in the morning. He told how many hardships he had passed through, coloring the story all it would bear. Five days from the time he left Jamestown he returned, being well-nigh exhausted with his long jaunt.

In 1836, besides Mr. Collins, Judge Storrs, John Wilkins, Valorous Baker, John Brown and some others settled in the neighborhood. Jane E. Bending (Mrs. A. W. Gillett) arrived in Jamestown village with her parents Sept. 8, 1836. At that time there were but three white families in the village, their heads being John Knott, Thomas Knott and John Bell.

In the winter of that year John Knott built a saw-mill on the creek or outlet of Lake George, and shortly thereafter he built a grist mill at the same point. He also brought a small stock of goods. Mr. Knott, in company with a Mr. Bell, thought to lay out a town, and selected a location to the southward of the present site of the village. This they proceeded to survey and lay out into town lots, naming the place Waynesbnrg. This place was, however, abandoned. A man by the name of Johnson bought out Knott's interest in the mills and the " burg. "

It is thought by some, that Mr. Knott was the first Postmaster in this vicinity; while others think that it was "William A. Bliss, who had settled about that time some two miles to the eastward, on the Vistula road, at a point afterward for a long time known as Dewey's Corners. It is quite certain that Bliss had the post-ofiice awhile. He was the contractor for the mail route, and superintended the carrying of the mail for a number of years. This mail was carried on horseback once a week each way, east and west, between Van Buren in Lagrange County, and Toledo, Ohio. The route included Lima, Orland and Brock ville.

The first school was taught on Ezekiel Brown's place. Subsequently it was moved nearer town, in the Collins neighborhood. Fidelia Tillotson was the teacher. She commenced her school in a house belonging to Zeph. Wilkins, but finished it in the house of Michael Depue.

Religious meetings were held in those days in the neighbors' houses. People would come from a distance of thirty miles to attend a quarterly meeting. They were frequently held at the house of Henry Depue, in Mill Grove Township, and would continue for two weeks. Father Stealey was the preacher. The second minister was Leland H. Stocker.

The first blacksmith in the neighborhood was Mr. Tousley. The first frame house that was built within the present limits of the village was situated a few rods to the north of where Esquire McAlister's shops have since been erected, and was put up by Thomas Knott. Mr. McAlister afterward moved it over by the mill pond and used it as a blacksmith shop for a number of years.

Dennis Depue made the first garden in the township. In 1835 Messrs. Knott & Bell built the first tannery. John Nichols, who owned a large farm to the west of the "burg," had also at one time a stock of goods which he traded mostly to what few Indians there remained in the vicinity, whisky being the staple, and may therefore be said to have kept the first store.

In these early days wolves were very plenty. The hardy frontiersmen would stand in their cabins and shoot at the animals as they prowled around, the cracks between the logs serving as loop holes. The Indians were civil, but the settlers had to feed them a great deal in order to keep them on good terms. If they were refused anything they remembered it. When Mrs. Gillett was only twelve yeas of age she was left alone from Saturday morning until Monday. In that time she saw only three white people. The family had hardly gone away when five oi" the dusky sons of the forest came to the house and were determined to take away some meat. There was only a wooden latch on the door, so she took some large sticks of wood and rolled them against it so as to efiectually prevent the entrance of the Indians. They were drunk and remained in the vicinity of the house nearly all night. Sunday evening an old Indian called and desired to stay all night. Finally he was persuaded to leave when he saw a large dog come toward him, growling fiercely. Mrs. Gillett was well acquainted with the squaw who killed her husband near Jamestown, and who was killed the following day by the next of kin to the murdered man, according to the custom of the Indians. An account of this affair is given in the chapter devoted to Fremont Township, She says the squaw was really beautiful, and that she traded with her the day before the killing.

Others who came into the township prior to 1840 were E. Leland, John Archer, Henry Burdick, S. Chase, Jacob Mallory, Clayton Mallory, E. Mallory, Asa Mallory, Cephas McCuller, L.

Martin Tillotson and Minerva Mallory were the first couple married, according to some, while others give the honor to Chester D. Salisbury and Julia Collins. The latter kept house on the Hayes place. Catharine Depue was the first white child born in the township.

The first Fourth of July celebrated at Jamestown was in 1841. A premium was ofiered to those who brought in the first game. Dennis Depue was the successful Nimrod, bringing in a fine deer. The people had a substantial, old-fashioned dinner, and in the evening a dance was held in the mill, which was just then unfinished.

John Depue, who entered land just across the line in Michigan, had a very wise old horse, which he used to send on errands. Mr. Depue would write a note and pin it to the mane of the faithful equine. He would then start him to his brother's house. The horse would carry tlie note all right, and after an answer had been fastened to his mane, would return home. The brother referred to lived in this township.

It was not until April, 1853, that the present village was laid out and platted on section 15, at the southwestern end of Lake George. This was done by Simeon Gilbert and Joseph Hutchinson. The village was first named Eagleville, but this was afterward changed to Jamestown. The postoflSce, however, was named Crooked Creek, on account of there being already a Jamestown in the State (in Boone County). In that year (1853) there was a bank in Jamestown, John Dutton being the Cashier. "Lant" Carpenter, now of Angola, kept a store. Dr. Waterhouse, now of "Washington Territory, commenced practice here in 1854, he being the first regular physician, though John Wilkinson, a root and herb doctor, had been here for some time previous to the arrival of Dr. Waterhouse. Mr. Wilkinson was also a preacher. George R. Hershey opened a hotel in the spring of that year, it being the first in the place. In the same year, also, a stage line was established from Coldwater to Fort Wayne, Seeley & Fox being the contractors. It was first run to Auburn, and then it was extended to Fort Wayne.

the afternoon of the same day Diana Harding, wife of George Harding, was buried. Mrs. Charlotte Richlield attended the funeral of Mrs. Harding, was taken sick the next day, and after an illness of about ten days crossed the dark river. She was buried on the 2Stli. No more graves dotted the cemetery until the following year, when John Howe was called to "that bourne whence no traveler returns." His funeral took place Jan. 3, 1842.

Michael Depue was a pioneer of Jamestown Township, but after residing here a term of years fixed his home for the remainder of his life at Hall's Corners, Mich. In early days he went to Martin's Mills, eight miles from Lima. He was gone four days. He bought corn on English Prairie for which he paid 50 cents per bushel, and he had to husk it at that. The corn was buried beneath a heavy covering of the "beautiful snow." The work of husking was not nearly so pleasant as it would have been in a barn with a host of pretty country lassies gathered around watching with a great deal of interest for the " red ears," for then the swain who luckily found it claimed the right to kiss his sweetheart, or in case she was absent, the sweetheart belonging to some one else. About a third of a century since Mr. Depue moved to Orland and kept hotel there for a time, and then removed to Michigan. He was a mightj' Nimrod, and helped wonderfully to fill the general storehouse of the settlement with venison. He would frequently kill from one to three deer before breakfast. It is related by one of the oldest inhabitants that he killed twenty-three deer in twentyfour consecutive days, and did not make a business of hunting a single day. He would take his gun with him in the evening when he went to look after his cattle, and would find the deer with the cattle.

As before stated, Barton Collins was one of the pioneers of Jamestown Township. The following data are taken from a journal kept by his daughter, Mrs. Mallory :

He was born Feb. 23, 1794, in Ira, Eichland Co., Vt., and his wife was born in Rehobath, R. I., Jan. 2, 1797. They were married in 1820. Mr. Collins same West in 1834 and visited LaPorte, but did not enter any land at that time. In the spring of 1835 he sold his land in the East and started again with his family, consisting of himself, wife and nine children, six daughters and three sons. He sent his goods by water to Detroit and he came by land with his team. They were three weeks on the road. At Buffalo they took the boat to Detroit and came from there to Coldwater. When they arrived at the latter place there was but one log house. The next place reached was Bronson. The town consisted of two log cabins joined together which served as an hotel.

They stopped and inquired fortheYermont settlement, as Orland was then called. They rested at Vermont settlement a few days and found one of their old neighbors, Mr. Blanchard and family.

He advised Mr. Collins to buy land there, but the latter was not satisfied with the timber, so he came out into what is now Jamestown Township. The general appearance of the land and timber suited him very much, so he went to Fort "Wayne and entered his land, paying $1.25 per acre. He then returned to Jamestown Township and hired two men, George Stocker being one, to help him " butt" logs enough for a cabin. When enough had been prepared for a house, all the men and boys in Vermont settlement came out and helped roll up the first cabin in Jamestown Township.

Shakes were split for the roof. It was not long until the shakes became seasoned, and then they rolled up so badly that the stars could be seen through the roof at any time during tlie night by looking up. When winter came the snow blew through the openings, and many times the bunks up stairs would be covered to a depth of two inches. A few boards were laid down to sleep on, and a quilt hung up for a door. A piece of oil-cloth covered the window opening when the storm king held undisputed sway outside. The wolves would howl fearfully around the house every night. When Mr Collins had a fire started great pains had to be taken to prevent it going out, for there were no neighbors to borrow any of, and lucifer matches were unknown. They had a log-andstick chimney built outside of the house.

When Mr. Collins went to mill he bought his wheat and corn on English prairie. He paid $2.00 for wheat and $1.00 for corn, and then had to go to Burr Oak to mill, and would be gone two days and sometimes longer. It was difficult to get enough to eat those days, for there was not enough raised in the country. Sometimes they would have nothing but potatoes and salt. Land had to be cleared off before they could raise anything.

They did not hear anything from their goods until October. In the summer John Preston and Orrin Preston and wife came out from New York State. John Preston went back and Mr. Collins requested him to look for the lost goods in Detroit. He found them stowed away in the wareroom. When Mr. Collins found where they were, he got ready to go after them but had only one horse, the other having strayed off into the woods, so he had to go to English Prairie and buy a yoke of oxen. They cost him $100. When he was ready to start he pat the horse ahead of his cattle. His motto was, " Slow, but sure."

Mr. Collins was gone some time. During his absence his family had devoured almost everything that was eatable in the house, so as soon as he returned he had to start off for provisions. There were no neighbors to borrow of then. "Two men in Jamestown occupied a little shanty and were keeping bachelor's hall. They put up a saw-mill, and then Mr. Collins was enabled to get some lumber, so his family lived a little more comfortably. He laid a floor and had a door and window made.

Mr. Preston and wife lived with them until they built a house of their own. In the spring of 1836 Mr. Theron Storrs, of Fremont, and his family moved in with them. He bought eighty acres ol Mr. Collins and broke some of it. He built a cabin and moved into it, so Mr. Collins' family were left alone for a few weeks. Then David Mallory came out and stayed until the first of October, when his family of eight came. Mr. Mc Cullough was with them, so there was quite a house full. The boys helped McCullough build his cabin and then moved in with him. David Mallory bouglit forty acres of land of Mr. Collins and then built him a cabin. In 1837 all the settlers raised abundant crops. If they had wheat to sell they had to haul it to Adrian, where they sold it for 60 cents per bushel. Brown " factory" was 25 cents per yard, and calico the same. Mrs. Mallory was then ten years of age. An elder sister made herself a dress and also one for Mrs. Mallory out of eight yards of calico. What would a young miss in these days think of having a dress made out of four yards of calico?

A Miss Mary Roberts was the first school-teacher in that neighborhood. She taught in 1839. The first religious meeting was at the residence of Mr. Collins. Old Mr. Phillips preached. The first school-house was built where the one now known as No. 3 is located. Jan. 2, 1878, the Collins family held a reunion, it being the occasion of the eightieth birthday of Mrs. Collins. She was the mother of eleven children, grandmother of thirty-eight, and had seven great-grandchildren. There were present at the reunion, forty-two persons.

The population of Jamestown was in 1870, 779; and in 1880, 715, a decrease of sixty-four. This is a population of twenty-nine to the square mile.

The following crop statistics are for the last census year - 1880: Acres of wheat sown, 2,086; average yield per acre, fifteen bushels; total crop, 31,290 bushels; acres of corn, 1,228; average yield of same per acre, upland, forty bushels; bottom, twenty-five bushels; total crop, 46,495 bushels; acres of oats, 278; average yield per acre, thirty bushels; total crop, 8,340 bushels; acres of meadow, 264; average yield per acre, a ton and a half of hay; total crop, 396 tons; acres in potatoes, thirty -five; average yield per acre, thirty bushels; total crop, 1,050 bushels.

In 1884 the number of acres of land assessed was 12,999.84; value of same, $101,225; value of improvements, $36,660; value of personal property, $37,835; total valuation, $175,720; number of polls, 126; number of dogs, sixty-two; total taxes levied, $3,325.10. As property is assessed on a basis of one-third, this would indicate a wealth for Jamestown Township of $527,160.

As to political complexion, the township has been uniformly Republican since 1860, previous to which time its vote was variable. In 1844 and 1848 it was Whig, and in 1852 and 1856 it was Democratic by a small vote. The smallest plurality ever given was one, which was returned both in 1856 for the Democracy and in 1860 for the Republican ticket. The largest plurality was in 1876, being seventy-six for Hayes. The vote cast at each presidential election has been:

Following are the names of the various township officers elected since 1860, so far as obtainable, with the years in which they were respectively chosen.

Constables - 1858, E. G. Hastings and G. H. Hobson; 1859, Norton C. Wilder, Samuel Chadwick and Moses Hastings; 1860, Moses Hastings and Samuel Chadwick; 1861, same; 1862, George Osburn, Levi Cosper and Henry Webb; 1863, C. N. Wilder, Joshua Osburn and Hezekiah Depue; 1864, James Baker and L. T. Lincoln; 1865, J. H. Wilder and T. C. Terry; 1866, T. C. Terry, J. Baker and E.

Peavy; 1868, Francis M. Green, J. J. Brown and Henry Webb; 1869, A. Weichman, L. B. Keed and G. W. Baker; 1870, James Terry, John Peavy and William Merrill; 1872, James Terry, John Hall and A. R. Hughs; 1874, Lewis B. Reed, S. B. Dewey and Joseph Wickman; 1878, J. H. Wilder, Levi Clark and Samuel P. Casebeer; 1880, Thomas Hall, Isaac Eckhart and Joseph Wilder- 1882, Thomas Hall, E. B. Clock and George Collar; 1884, G. W. Harding and Joseph Wickman.

Biographical

Barton Collins (deceased) was the first of the pioneers of Jamestown Township, as before stated. His wife, who shared his lot and survived him a third of a century, was better known to the old settlers from her longer residence. She was married to Mr. Collins in 1820, and in 1835 they came to this State and county, being the first white settlers of Jamestown Township. They settled upon the farm where they both remained their natural lives, and which is now the property of George W. Collins. Mr. Collins died in January, 1849, after which Mrs. Collins lived on the homestead with her son until her death, July 16, 1882, at the age of eightyfive years, six months and fourteen days.

She was the mother of eleven children, and had the satisfaction of seeing them grow to be respectable and influential men and women. Five of them preceded her to rest, leaving six to mourn her loss, they being George W., Charles and Mrs. C. Mallory, residing in Jamestown; Mrs. Hastings, of Fremont, Mrs. Saxton of Coldwater, Mich., and Mrs. Seeley, of Noble County. Mrs. Collins was a member of the Baptist church, in her native State from which she brought a letter and afterward became identified with the society of that denomination organized at Jamestown but which went down some years before her death. She retained her eyesight and faculties to a good old age, and was a great reader taking much comfort in perusing the papers.

time near Rochester, and when Michael was a young man removed to Marion, Ohio. Mr. Depue married Angelina Drake at Marion in 1831, with whom he lived nearly half a century. They were the longest surviving couple of those who settled in Jamestown prior to 1840. Mr. Depue and wife came to Jamestown Sept. 8, 1836, and settled on the west half of tlie southeast quarter of section 15. They afterward made their home at Hall's Corners, Mich. Mr. Depue died at Hall's Corners, Feb. 17, 1880, aged seventy-five years and one month, having lived to see the forest melt away before the advance of civilization, and, like the sturdy oak spared by the woodman's ax, having seen his comrades fall until but few were left.

Thomas Mugg (deceased) was born in Baltimore, Md., Nov, 26, 1797, and while young moved with his parents to Yates County, N. "5^., where he grew to manhood and married Miss Eliza Ireland, with whom he removed to Ohio, returning thence to JSTew York some two years later. In 1837 he again came "West, this time to Steuben County, settling upon the farm since owned by his son, just west of Angola. In that early day Steuben Countj^ was a wilderness. Hundreds of native Indians occupied a portion of the farm as a camping ground, and the wolves made night hideous with their howls in the vicinity of the pioneer's log cabin; everything, in fact, presented a striking contrast to the marks of civilization and advancement now visible on every hand. Great as is the change which has wrought the wonderful tranformation, we can but reflect that it is due to the enterprise, industry and energy ot the pioneers, among whom the subject of this sketch and his worthy consort bore a conspicuous part. Mr, Mugg died April 16, 1879, in his eighty-second year. He was the father of ten children, only four of whom, three daughters and a son, survived his death. His first wife died in 1856. A year or two later he married a widow named Groves, who was his companion during the latter years of his life. Deacon Mugg, as he was universally called, had been a consistent member of the Free- "Will Baptist church for a number of years, and as a kind neighbor and upright citizen had won the confidence and esteem of th ose who knew him. He had served the public as County Commissioner and Justice of the Peace, and in other offices of honor and trust,

Joseph Tousley (deceased), one of the very earliest settlers ot this township and county, was born in Canada in February, 1812. He came to Steuben County and settled in Jamestown Township

^n February, 1836. He was for many years the village blacksmith jn that town, and was an industrious, hard-workinoj man. He was fully acquainted with all the hardships of pioneer life, and was one of the most interested and active members of the Old Settlers' Association in this county. He died on Tuesday, March 5, 1878, at the age of sixty-six. His departure took away one of the most respected as well as one of the very first of the pioneers.

George W. Baker was born in Middlesex, Yates Co., N. Y.,in 1829, a son of James and Lydia (Dresler) Baker, natives of New York State, of German descent. In 181:2 his parents moved to Ohio, and lived in Huron County four years. In 1846 they came to Steuben Coutity, Ind., and located on the farm now owned by George W., which at that time was wild land, but is now well cultivated, and a part of one of the best farms in the township. George W. Baker lived with his father till twenty-one years of age, and then bought eighty acres of land south of the homestead which he cleared and improved. He was married June 7, 1857, to Nancy J. Bowen, daughter of Michael and Mary (Critchtield) Bowen, old settlers of Jamestown Township, coming here with his father, Fred Bowen, in an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have two children - Delia M., born Sept. 13, 1860, is the wife of Fred Walters, of Branch County, Mich.; Fred J., born Jan. 18, 1863, is in business in Fremont, Ind.

Hail. Ezekiel Brown was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., in 1831, a son of Russel and Laura (Sweet) Brown. He was five years of age when his parents moved to Lagrange County, Ind., and there he was reared and educated in the old log cabin schoolhouse. He remained with his parents till 1858, when he came to Steuben County and engaged in the mercantile business in Crooked Creek nearly a year and a half. He then bought 250 acres of land about 100 acres of which had the trees cut, but the stumps remained. He went to work with a will to make an ideal farm, which from his boyhood his fancy had portrayed. He has cleared his first purchase, and added to it 272 acres, and now has one of the finest farms in Steuben County. His residence and farm buildings are unexcelled in the county, and his home is the embodiment of comfort and good cheer. Hospitality and a kind welcome greet all who visit them, Mr. and Mrs. Brown both taking pleasure in entertaining and making at home their guests. Mr. Brown was elected to represent his district in the Legislature in 1878, and performed all his duties satisfactorily, and with the same care ben- stowed on bis private affairs. Mr. Brown was married in 1S55, to Mary C. Barry, daughter of John and Marj A. (Darrow) Barry, . natives of Orleans County, N. Y., who came to Indiana in 1835, They have two sons - Frank M. and Clinton N., the latter an attorney in Beatrice, Neb.

Bussel Brown was born in Stephentown, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., Jan. 24, 1805, a son of Elijah and Elizabeth (Greenfield) Brown, grandson of Stephen, great-grandson of John, and great-greatgrandson of Ezekiel Brown, all of Windham, Conn. His father was born in 1773 and although too young to participate in the war for independence his ancestors were prominent in the struggle. His maternal grandparents, Smith, came from Dublin, Ireland. His uncles, William and Daniel Smith, became prominently identified with the early history of Rhode Island. Elijah Brown's family consisted of six children - Sarah married Joseph Tinker and died in Cayuga County, JST. Y., in 1877; Paul na is the wife of Thomas' Marsh, of Iowa; Daniel M. died in 1876, in Moravia, N. Y.; Russel; Hannah is the wife of Horace Rounds, of Cayuga County, N. Y. : Elijah E., of Niles, N. Y., who has represented his district in the Legislature several terms. Russel Brown was reared in his native county, and was there married in 1828 to Laura Sweet, of Stillwater, N. Y., daughter of William Sweet, of Massachusetts, whose name figures conspicuously on the rolls of the Revolutionary war. In 1836 Mr. Brown moved to Lagrange County, Ind., where he became prominently identified, assisting materially in the upbuilding of that county. Mr. and Mrs. Brown had a family of five children - Philena died at the age of fifteen years; Ezekiel, o± Steuben County; Warren, of Lagrange County; Erastus, attorney at law and banker of Lincoln, Neb., and William, attorney at law, Angola, Ind.

George W. Collins is a native of Rutland County, Yt., born in 1829. In 1835 his parents came to Steuben County, and July 4 his father made one of the first entries in the township. The log house near his present home was the first in the township. His early schooling was limited to three months in the log-cabin schools. His early life was spent with his parents and he learned in his youth the precepts that have in later life made him a successful business man. He was married in 1856 to Avis Walter, daughter of Seymour W. and Orra (Coe) Walter, of Essex County, Yt., who settled in Steuben County in 1846. Mr. and Mrs. Collins have five children - Stillman L., Seymour B., Orra E.,

Lydia A., Bertie L Their home is one of culture and refinement, and the stranger and friend are always welcome to share in the good cheer that prevails. Mrs. Collins's parents had a family of seven children - Norris Walter, deceased; Clifton, of Branch County, Mich; Sydney, of Steuben County; Avis, Betsey, deceased; Mary A., now Mrs. Poulson, of this township; and George, deceased.

Charles H. Cory is a native of St. Lawrence County, N. Y., born in 1843, a son of Ambrose and Eliza (Munn) Cory. His grandfathers were both drummers in the war of 1812. Ambrose Cory moved to Defiance County, Ohio, and in 1864 came to Steuben County and bought 160 acres of land in Jamestown Township where he died in 1883, and where the mother still lives. They had a family of nine children - Charles H., Edward, Myron, Lncinda, Melvin, Ambrose, Frank, Orley and Nathan. Charles H. remained with his parents till manhood, receiving a common school education. He was married in 1871 to Sarah Reed, daughter of William and Rachel Reed, old citizens of Lagrange County, Ind., and afterward residents of Steuben County. Mr. and Mrs. Cory have two children - Allie and Pollie. Mr. Cory has taken a special interest in educational matters and is a strong advocate of the free-school system.

Charles T. Dewey was born in Niagara County, N. Y., in 1830, a son of Truman C. and Wealthy (Foreman) Dewey. His parents moved to Ashtabula County, Ohio, when he was a child, and subsequently to Kalamazoo, Mich. In 1849 they moved to Steuben County, Ind. Charles T. has been an industrious, energetic man from his youth and is now reaping the reward of his early years of toil. He owns eighty acres of the old homestead entered by his father and to that has added eighty acres. His thrift and good management have made his home one of the best in the township. He is a man of excellent judgment, strict integrity, and is one of the prominent and influential farmers of the township. He was married in 1852 to Amanda Burdick who died in 1861, leaving one son - Frank. In 1862 he married Elmira D. Shutts, daughter of Charles and Susan (Ritchie) Shutts. They have four children - Fred N., a teacher in the Orland High School; Alice R., a teacher of the Jamestown schools ; Herman R. and Gracie M. Mr. and Mrs. Dewey are members of the Congregational church at Fremont. He is a member of Angola Lodge, No. 210, F. & A. M.;

Thomas Failing was born in Montgomery County, N. Y., March 20, 1796. He was married Dec. 8, 1818, to Catherine Klock, and to them were born five children - Ann, wife of Edwin Benedict; Elizabeth, widow of Abram Drygart; Nancy, widow of Jacob Young; Adam, and Mariette, wife of I. D. Miner, of Branch County, Mich. In 1835 Mr. Failing moved with his family to Tecumseh, Mich. In 1836 he came to Steuben County, Ind., and located land on section 85, Jamestown Township, and 160 acres in Scott Township. In 1837 he moved his family to Steuben County and settled in Jamestown Township, clearing and improving his land on section 35, and in 1860 he moved to section 33. He had $400 when he came to the county, which he laid out in land, and by hard work accumulated a large property and left his children in comfortable circumstances. He was in politics a Democrat, but cast his last Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church, but there being no churches of their choice in the township when they settled here, never united with any church. Mrs. Failing died Oct. 24, 1871, after a married life of over fifty years. Mr. Failing died Nov. 18, 1883. He was an upright, honorable gentleman and had many friends, especially among the early settlers of the county.

Oeorge TF, Goodfellow is a native of Onondaga County, N. Y., born near Syracuse in 1825, a son of Smiley and Permelia (Halstead) Goodfellow. In 1835 his Grandfather Halstead moved to Lenawee County, Mich., remaining there the rest of his life. In the fall of 1835 his parents moved to Lenawee County, and leaving his family there his father proceeded to Steuben County, Ind., and entered a tract of wild land two and a half miles east of the present site of Fremont. The following year he moved his family to the frontier home, and commenced to clear the land and till the soil. There were at that time very few families in the township, and their nearest mill was at Union, twenty-six miles distant. The father and mother spent their lives in the vicinity of their first settlement? and were among the most active in building up the material interests of the township. George W. Goodfellow remained with his parents till manhood. In 1864 he bought forty acres of land on section 22, Jamestown Township, which he has cleared and improved and now has one of the pleasantest homes in the county.

Frank Haight is a native of St. Joseph County, Mich., born in 1848, a son of Mathias and Harriet M. (Cady) Haight, his father a native of New Columbia, Pa., and his mother of New York. His grandfather, William Haight, died in St. Joseph County at the age pf ninetj-seven years. His Grandfather Cady was a carpenter, and died at the age of ninety-three years, from the effects of a fall from the scaffolding of a church steeple. In 1852 his parents moved to Tama County, Iowa, at that time the extreme west of civilization. They had a family of six children - Gideon M., of Salem, Kas., enlisted in the Fourteenth Iowa Infantry and was captured at Fort Donelson, remaining a prisoner in Libby Prison five months. Henry, now of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was a member of the Twenty - eighth Iowa Infantry; Frank; John, of Jewell County, Kas.; Mary E., wife of Charles E. Sponsler, and Charles E., of Burr Oak, Kas. Frank remained at home till 1862 and then went to Burlington, Kas., walking the entire distance, 500 miles in fourteen days. He remained one summer, and then went to Toledo, Iowa, and remained a year and a half, when he moved to Union Grove. In 1873 he went to Albert Lea, Minn., and in 1874 came to Michigan. In 1876 he returned to Iowa and lived in Ouawa one season; thence to Woodbury County, and two years later returned to Michigan. In 1882 he came to Steuben County, and located in Jamestown Township, where he does a general blacksmithing and wagon and carriage repairing business. He makes a specialty of treating the hoof and shoeing horses, and has met with remarkable success in his treatment. He travels a part of each year and has won a wide reputation. Mr. Haight was married in 1873 to Katie Welker daughter of Daniel and Eliza (Laform) Welker, natives of Pennsylvania. They have two children - Fulmer D., born Sept. 23 1874 and Yerna B., born June 9, 1878.

Willia7n B. Zemmon was born in Townsend, Sandusky Co., Ohio, in 1837, a son of Uriah B. and Emily (Mclntyre) Lemmon' natives of Tompkins and Livingston counties, N. Y. His Grandfather Lemmon was one of the first settlers of the Genesee Yalley. His parents moved to Sandusky County in 1826, and still reside in Townsend. They had a family of seven children - William H. - John M., an attorney of Clyde, Ohio; Sarah A. Thorpe, of Grundy County, Iowa; Rebecca Gardner, of Clyde, Ohio; Cyrus A., of Durango, Col.; Morris B., attorney of Clyde; Elizabeth Hoch, of Clyde. William H. Lemmon passed his early years on his father's farm, attending the district school during the winter. When the war of the Rebellion broke out he enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Ohio Infantry. They were assigned to the Army of the Potomac and participated in the memorable batf ties of that division. After his return home in 1865 he located in Kinderhook, Mich., and in 1S66 moved to Steuben County, Ind.,. where he has been prominently identified with all interests of-public benefit. He is an enterprising man and is always ready to assist in furthering any project that promises advancement to the conjmunity. He was married in 1860 to Lois Mclntyre, daughter of William and Ann (Stephens) Mclntyre. Mr. and Mrs. Lemmon have eight children - Editli, wife of J. Stoddard, of Butler County, Neb.; Sherman, also of Nebraska; Wilton, Eva, Erdie, Elda, Ella and Homer. Mr. Lemmon has served Jamestown Township as School Examiner and Justice uf the Peace, and has been Marshal of Fremont. He was Treasurer of his township in Ohio.

Asa Mallory was born in Rutland County, Vt., Oct. 17, 1824, a son of David and Cynthia (Collars) Mallory. His early life was spent on the home farm, remaining with his parents as long as they lived. In the spring of 1850 he went to California making the trip overland, arriving in the Eldorado of the West six months after leaving home. He went to work in the mines and contracted typhoid fever. After several weeks of illness the physicians told him his only chance of recovery was to return to the States by water. After a voyage of fifty-five days he reached New York, but the exposures and hardships he had undergone left their impress in his system, and it was months before he regained his usual health. After his return home he assumed charge of the homestead and went to work to retrieve his losses in the West. The result was soon an addition of 125 acres to the original forty acres entered by his father, and good buildings and other improvements. Mr. Mallory was married in 1860 to Sytheria E. Wright, daughter of Sherman and Anna (Failing) Wright, old residents of Steuben County. Mr. and Mrs. Mallory have six children - Flora E., wife of Granville L. McClue; Cynthia B., Frank L., Herbert C, Clarence A. and Clyde L. Mr. Mallory is a man of strong political convictions, but has always refused to accept any oflicial position. He has never voted any^ but the straight Democratic ticket.

Clayton Mallory was born in Rutland County, Yt., in 1816, a son of David and Cynthia (Collars) Mallory, of Irish descent. When fourteen years of age he left home and lived with his grandparents four years, when he began working for farmers at $8 a month. When twenty years of age, in 1836, he came to Indiana, his father having preceded him in the early part of the year. As a result of the labors of the children they had $100, and with this the father bought forty acres of land a half a mile south of where Mr. Mallory now lives. In 1844 Clayton bought a tract of wild land, a portion of the school reserve. ISTot a tree had been cut on the land, but with a zeal characteristic of the man he soon brought it under a state of cultivation, and reaped a bountiful harvest as a reward for his labor. He has improved his farm till it is now one of the best in the township. He has been foremost in advancing all interests of public benefit and has served in nearly all the township offices. He has been County Commissioner two terms, and was a Trustee when but one was required in the township. All trusts imposed on him have been fulfilled with fidelity and efficiency. Mr. Mallory was married in 1844 to Thirza Collins, daughter of one of the pioneers of Jamestown. She died in 1852 leaving one son - Oscar F., who married Edna Brooks, and has two children - Barton and Clayton. In 1853 he married a sister of his first wife, Jane Collins, and to them were born two children - Ella T., deceased, and Carrie A., who married T. A. Caswell and has two children - Ella J. and Ralph. After an illness of two years Mrs. Mallory died Aug. 30, 1883.

Elias Mallory was born in Rutland County, Vt.", Jan. 30, 1822, a son of David and Cynthia (Collars) Mallory. He came West in 1837, and on attaining his majority entered eighty acres of school land. His father was in limited circumstances and he was early obliged to depend on himself for a livelihood. His education was very meager. When he began to clear his farm he was obliged to borrow his father's ax to split the rails to fence it. As a result of his untiring labor and energy and his strict honor and integrity he has succeeded in placing himself beyond the pale of want and surrounding himself with all necessary comforts. He now owns 250 acres of valuable land where he lives, well stocked and with first-class improvements, and 160 in Pawnee County, Neb. He has been an influential man in his township, but being retiring in his nature has refused repeated solicitations to fill official positions, the only office he ever held being Treasurer of the township. To him is due the credit of Jamestown's cemetery, which is the must beautiful resting place for the dead in the county. He, at his own expense, superintends the care of the grounds. Elias Mallory was married in 1844 to Rosilla A. Havens, daughter of George and Huldah H. Havens. They have one son - George E., who, Nov. 3, 1878, married Miss Louie Wiage, a

Henry C. Miller was born in Elmira, Chemung Co., N. Y., in 1847, a son of John M. and Sarah J. (Smith) Miller, natives of Orange County, N. T. His Grandfather Smith was a hero of the war of 1812. Jan. 1, 1868, Mr. Miller started for the West. He spent two years in Coidwater, Mich., and then came to Steuben County, Ind., and bought 160 acres of land in Jamestown Township, on which he has erected some of the best buildings in the township. He was married in 1877 to Elvira L. Poland, a daughter of George W. and Sarah (Barr) Poland, old and influential citizens of Steuben County. Mr. Miller is the youngest of four children. His sister Adeline is the wife of Amos Fenton, ot Emporium, Pa. Harriet married A. P. Roberts, of Elmira, N. Y., and Philip G. married Susan Stryker and lives in Gosper County, .TSTeb.

Lamhert P. PersingiQ a native of JSTorthumberland Count}', Pa.? born in 1834, one of seventeen children of William H, and Nancy (Pitman) Persing. William H. Persing was born in 1791 and lived to the age of eighty-nine years. He was a miller by trade, and L. P. worked with his father in his boyhood. He followed the business in Columbia and Montour counties till 1870, when he came to Steuben County, where he has since remained, with the exception of two years. He is a practical miller, understanding every detail of the business. Mr. Persing was married in 1856 to Lydia A. Kanonse, a daughter of one of the prominent citizens of Columbia County, Pa., and a pioneer of Branch County, Mich. They have six sons - John, William, Abraham, Henry, Charles and Pardoe. Mr. Persing has taken an especial interest in the common-school system, and has served several years as School Director.

Herman C. Shutts was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, June 6, 1839, a son of Charles and Susan (Ritchie) Shutts, natives of Tompkins County, N, Y. His grandparents, Gabriel and Mary (Sailor) Shutts, were natives of New Jersey. Gabriel Shutts was a militia man in the war of 1812. In 1835 Charles Shutts moved to Ohio, and became one of the most prominent men of Sandusky County. He was a man of sterling integrity. He was for many years a Justice of the Peace. His family consisted of five children - Herman C; Eliza, wife of C. N. Wilder; Mary J., wife of J. H. Wilder; Myra M., wife of C. T. Dewey; and Lucy C, wife of H. M. Calvin, of Osage City, Kan. Herman C. Shutts passed his early life on the home farm, receiving a limited education in the district school. His father died in 1859, and he then took charge of the farm, managing it a year when the estate was divided, and he came to Steuben County and bought the property where he now lives. He has devoted his energies to improving his land, and has brought it under a good state of cultivation and made it one of the best farms in the county. His residence and farm buildings are unsurpassed in the township. Mr. Shutts was married in 1862, to Mary Colhns, daughter of Samuel and Be tsey (Bush) Collins. They have four children - Charles, Lucas, Jennie and Erva. Mr. Shutts has taken an active interest in all measures that promised improvement to his township. He has filled many positions of trust and responsibility, and among others was Trustee several years. In the fall of 1885 he was elected County Commissioner.

Danforth C. Ward was born in Huron Count}^, Ohio, Sept. 20, 1825, son of Isaac and Phoebe (Beebe) Ward. His father died when he was quite small, and his mother afterward married again. In 1837 he accompanied his mother and step-father to Steuben County, Ind. In 1843 they located on the farm where his mother still lives. He cut his foot and was obliged to walk with crutches, being unable to do any farm work for some time. He was married in 1846 to Abigail M. Cady, daughter of David and Mary Mc- Master, natives of Vermont and Connecticut, and among the first settlers of Jamestown Township. Mr. and Mrs. Ward have had a family of nine children, but four of whom are living - Charles, Truman, Rhoda R,. and Granville. Mr. Ward is an upright, honorable business man, and has won the esteem of all with whom he has had any dealing. He takes an active interest in all that pertains to the promotion of the welfare of the county.

Daniel Wheaton, one of the most respected and influential citizens of Jamestown Township, is a native of Litchfield, Conn., a son of Terrace and Maria M. (Bostwick) Wheaton. Mr. Wheaton has been twice married. His first wife was Alvira Way, a native of Litchfield, Conn. She left one daughter - Mary. His second wife was Millie Kellogg, daughter of one of the old and well-known citizens of Steuben County. Mr. AVheaton has been identified with the business interests of Steuben County for many years, and has, by his untiring energy and strict integrity, gained the esteem of the citizens of his township.

of Cuba. Kendal Wilder moved from Vermont in the winter of 1819, and was the third settler in Cuba Township. The first year he kept " bachelor's hall," and in 1820 married Laura, daughter of Francis and Mary (Stone) Stephens, natives of Massachusetts, and early settlers of Lima, N. Y. Francis Stephens was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The paternal grandparents of our subject, Calvin and Polly Wilder, were natives of Vermont, and late residents of Crawford County, Pa. Joseph H. is the eldest of six children; Mary is deceased ; Norton is a resident of Steuben County; Oliver, of Newton, Ind.; Sherman,of Hornellsville, N. Y. ; Charles of Cuba, N. Y., living on the old homestead with his father who is now ninety-three years of age. Joseph H. Wilder remained at home till twenty-one years of age, receiving a fair education in the district schools. In 1849 he came West as far as Sandusky County, Ohio, where he engaged in the mercantile business three years. He then came to Steuben County, and bought a tract of wild land, the only improvement being a slab house, with one end entirely out to admit of a chimney. The outlook was not favorable to success, but with a determination that surmounts all difficulties he went bravely to work and has brought his farm under a fine state of cultivation. In 1877 he built the hotel in Jamestown, where he has been a popular and efficient landlord. He was married in 1854 to Mary J. Shutts, daughter of Charles and Susan (Ritchie) Shutts, and granddaughter of Gabriel and Mary (Sailor) Shutts, and John and Ellen (Up dyke) Ritchie.