Jefferson Township

The Pioneers

The honor of being the first settler. of Jefferson township is conceded to Solomon Wilkinson. Heentered his land December 13, 1830, and moved his family on the claim early the next spring. His claim was on the present site of Mexico and he and his seven sons, - Ratliff, John, Jacob, Jesse, William, Simeon and Balam - entered much of the land adjoining the homestead. Two brothers, Wood and Abraham Beard, located in the township in 1831. The next year came William Connor, William and John Smith 'and Alexander Jamison.

The little band was increased in 1833 by the arrival of Eli Cook, William Bane Martin Scruggs, Enos Baldwin, John Hoover-and John Connor. In 1834, eight or tea families located in the township, among the number being Charles Murden, Burl Datiiels, Hamilton Buff and Thomas Harman. Among those ' who came in 1835 were Joseph, John and Levi Clymer, Isaac Newman, Joseph Holman, Asa Leonard, Isaac Hicks and Charles Spencer. The preminent arrivals of 1836 and °37 were Peter Fisher, Nathaniel Clingenpeal, Daniel Albaugh, Jacob Brower, Daniel Cox, Jesse and Isaac Bond, William Collett and Samuel Newman,

A Typical Pioneer And His Cabin

Charles Murden was a typical pioneer. Inthe summer of 1834 he left the fruited district of Maryland and with his family in a covered wagon moved to Lafayette. He left his family there to look for a location and concluding the Eel river valley was the best point to settle bought a claim of sixty acres. He brought his family to the claim and had to cut the way from Mexico as he went through the dense forest two miies west of the present site of Denver. Just as the sun was reclining over the western hills, he hallooed «*Whoa!" and said in his strong English accent, «'Old woman, we're home." There were no settlers for miles around. There was no voice to greet thim but that of the Pottawatomie, and the howling wolt, the bleeting deer and the welcome chirp of the birds. This was a lonesome spot for his family, who had come from the best populated district of Maryland. They brought from the east a large tent and lived in that for some time until they built a cabin. The cabin at first had no floor. Light was admitted through openings in the sides of the cabin over which was stretched greased paper. There were two doors hung on wooden hinges. The doors were fastened with wooden pins. Pegs were driven into the walls of the cabin. On these were laid boards. This was the table. There was not a nail in the cabin. Everything about the house was in perfect contrast with this simplicity. In this cabin were raised six girls and five boys, all of whom grew to a sturdy maturity and their decendants are now scattered over the country.

An Early School House

The pioneer school has always been an interesting theme. The Murden school house was a little log house that stood near the present site of the widow Stowman's residence, two miles and a half south-west of Denver on the morth bank of the river. It was low and narrow with no ceiling or whitewash. | About three feet was cut out of the center of a log on each side'of the house. Greased paper was placed over the openings. These they called windows. 'The big fireplace in the front end of the school house reached almost from side to side. It took almost a load of wood to fill itonce. The. big boys had to chop the wood to fill it once at recess. The pupils had to set on benches. Oh, my, how long must have seemed the day! How they would have yawned aad gaped and stretched had it not been for the searching glance of the master's eye! Pegs were driven into the side wall. Boards were laid on these. 'This was the writing desk. The books placed into the child's hand when he first entered were Noah Webster's Elementary Speller, a reader and Pike's arithmetic. The teacher made them goose-quill pens. They had very good teachers for several years. They were mostly educated young men from the east. The first teacher at the Murden school house was Joseph Holman, whose father laid out the plat of Miamisport.

Many of the Fishers were among the earliest settlers of the county. There are over sixty Fishers in this county. They are very prolific. Their. great-grand-father and mother landed in Philadelphia in1742. There are now over 2,000 in the United States who have sprung from this one family. Not long ago representatives of this great Fisher family from seventeen different states of the union met:at Cincinnati. They have formed a committee to search their genealogy. There are fifty-one million dollars in Germany they think are heir to. Other Fisher families have laid claim to ownership of this vast fortune, but failed.

A Pioneer And Benefactor

Levi Miller, though not the earliest, is one of the representative pioneers. He has watched the growth of Jefferson township for half acentury. He has been one of the most influential in its history. He came to this county from Ohio and settled where he now lives in Jefferson township in 1841. It was then one vast forest with here and there a patch of cleared land, on which stood a great many deadened trees and blackened stumps. Twenty-five acres of cleared land was than a large farm. When the settlers learned that there was a new neighbor they needed no invitation to help him raise a cabin. They came for miles around with oxen, chains and axes. One felled the trees. another hauled the logs and others placed the logs and in the evening the cabin was ready for occupancy. Levi Miller's cabin was built on the spot where his large residence now stands. In that cabin was not the large base burner, but the great open fire-place with the mantle overhead. There were no easy chairs and extension tables, but a board and some benches. In the evening after the hard day's toil the occupants retired to a bed in the corner of the cabin. Three corners of the bed were supported by the sides of the cabin and the fourth corner by a post. The rattling clapboards sang the requiem of sleep. All the utensils about the house were in perfect contrast. The early settler was a Robinson Crusoe with his knife and ax, cutting out buckets, spoons and other household ware. 'There 'were very few metal utensils. What a dinner the present housewife would get with the luxuries of those days! But the toil of the pioneer gave him no lack of appetite. The corn pone was a fine dish. Broadcloth was a scarce article. Levi Miller bartered his best clothes he brought from the east for work, and put on clothes spun from native flax. Miller's cabin was typical anc his habits of living were not much better than those of his neighbors. In those days there were very few people very much better than anybody else. Levi Miller with the rest of his neighbors thrived on the deep soil and steadily accumulated Wealth.

Generations yet unborn will remember with reverence the name of Levi Miller as the founder and benefactor of the Old Folks' and Orphan Children's

At the first term of the commissioners' court, held in J une, 1834, the territory north of the Wabash was divided into two townships. That part north of a certain specified line was called Jefferson. Onthe 7thof November, 1837, the township was reorganized with the following boundary: Commencing at the northeast corner of Section 22, Township 28, Range 4 east; thence west to the northwest corner of Section 23, Township 28, Range 5 east; thence south on the county line to the center of Section 14, Township 27, Range 3 east; thence west six miles to the line dividing Sections 14 and 15 of Tewnship 27, Range 4 east; thence north on the Saction line to the placa of beginning.

Early Events

The first industry was a corn-cracker, built by Burl Daniels, in 1835, on the Eel river, on the spot, where the old Dennison mill now is. Later that same year John Ratliff built the same kind of a mill on the river a little over a mile above Mexico. 'The first saw mill was built south of Mexico at an early date by a Mr. Wagoner. The first flouring mill was built by the Wilkinsons in 1846, on the south bank of the river, nearly opposite Mexico. The grist mill that stands nearly opposite the old Dennison mill was erected in 1850 by Elijah Cox.

The 'first religious meetings in the township were held in 1833 by the Methodists at the cabin of Wm. Smith. Rev. John A. Brouse was the first missionary preacher aud Rev. J. B. Mashon the first regular pastor. The Methodists erected the first house of worship in1840. A Christian church was organized in the township in 1838 by Rev. Abraham Sneethen. The first church built by this denomination was in 1843. The German Baptist church was organized in the township in 1838. Elders Jacob Brower and Moss were the first preachers. This denoimination although quite large did not build achurch until 1861.

The first death was that of Solomon Wilkinson, in 1832. The marriage of Jesse Wilkinson and Sallie Jameson and William Wilkinson to Mary Jameson, both sdlemnized at the same time in 1835, were no doubt the first marriages in the township.

The village of Mexico, situated on the north bank of the Eel river near the center of the township, has a population of about 400 or 500. It isncted for its elegant residences, its moral atmosphere and its sociable and intelligent people. This village was founded by John B. and S. Wilkinson, in August, 1834. 'The origina] plat, consisting of twenty blocks and one hun. dred .and twenty-six lots was then recorded. A store was shortly afterwards started by D. R. Bearss and the Ewings.

Denver is situated on the banks of Eel river at the junction of the L. E. & W. and the Eel River division of the Wabash. It originally occupied parts of three townships, but this led to such inconvenience in schools, taxes etc., that the county board changed the boundaries of the township, throwing the town entirely'in Jefferson township.

1820, but they did not get a deed for the property until 1840. After it passed through several hands Harrison Grimes bought the property and in 1872 he obtained an abstract of it and had it surveyed. The rapid growth of the town was fostered by a rich agricultural country, and for'a number of years it grew quite rapidly. W. W. Fetrow was the proprietor of the first business house in the village.

Courter, a small station in the eastern part of the township, on the L. E. & W.. was laid out by R. F. Donaldson in August, 1869. The plat consists of twenty lots and contains a half dozen or more dwellings.

A Few Personal Sketches

I am not covetous of gold; Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost; _ It yearns me not if men my garments wear; Such outward things dwell not in my desires; But if it be a sin to covet honor I am the most offending soul alive. - Shakespeare's Henry V., Act IV. There is no life of man faithfully recorded but is a heroic poem of its sort. - Carlyle's Essays. Perhaps it may turn out a song, Perhaps turn out a sermon. - Burns' Epistle to a Young Friend.

I do beseech you (Chiefly that I may set it in my prayers), What is your name? - Shakespeare's Tempest, Act III. Not in the clamor of the crowded street, Not in the shouts and plaudits of the throng, But in ourselves are triumph and defeat. - Longfellow's The Poets. One contented with what he has done stands but smal! chance of be- He has laid down to die. The grass is

JABEZ T. COX was born in Clinton county, Ohio, but his father removed from that state to Hamilton county, Indiana, in 1850. He grew up a farmer boy and in the old country school house he first learned the rudiments of an education. His maternal great grandfather, Thomas Watts, was a South Carolina planter, and a major in the Continental army during the revolution. Judge Cox was a country school teacher at sixteen years of age. He began the study of law at an early age in the office of Judge Jas. O'Brien at Noblesville, Indiana, and after finishing the prescribed course of reading was admitted to the bar and began the practice in partnership with Judge N. R. Overman at Tipton.

He early won a high reputation as a lawyer and an advocate. He has always voted and worked for the success of the democratic party, since he - became a voter, although in 1864, while in the union army, he believed that the re-election of Lincolu would be better for the country than a change at that time. For thirty years his voice has been heard for the cause of democracy in every campaign until after his nomination for judge of the Circuit court. Since that time in obedience to the unwritten law that a judge should not make political speeches on the stump, he has refrained from so doing. He was elected jidge of the Miami Circuit court in 1890, and has been nominated by the democratic voters to make another race.

Mr. Cox today is respected by all classes of people, without regara to party affiliations, as one of the ablest judges that has ever filled the Miami

HON. JOHN W. EWARD, the author of the history of Jackson township, a native of Decatur county, Indiana, was born September 6, 1836, and is the fifth son of a family of seven children, of whom James and Dorcas Eward were the parents, both natives of Nicholas county, Kentucky, the former born in 1803 and the latter iv 1806. They were married in their native county, and in 1831 removed to Decatur county, Indiana. The father who was a farmer was also engaged in the manufacture of flax-seed oil, and in 1845 he removed to Marion, Indiana, where his death occurred a year later. He was an honored citizen, and was connected with the Christian church from boyhvod. The mother still resides at Marion. John W. received a thorough, ordinary education in the public schools at Marion, Indiana, and while yeta boy, began learning the tanner's trade, at which he worked during the winter, and during the summer worked in the printing office at Marion, continuing in the latter until 1860, when he began teaching school, and was thus engaged for two years. He then went into partnership with Judge Kelly and purchased the Grant County Union, which partnership existed until the fall of 1862, when Judge Kelly was appointed Provost:-Marshal. He then became associated with Judge Wallace, of Marion, who in the fall of 1863, was appointed paymaster of the army, and Mr. Eward continued to manage the Unicn until the return of Judge Wallace, which was in 1864. They then purchased the Marion Journal, consolidating it with the Union. The Journal was a republican paper, and was published by the above named gentleman until 1865, when Mr. Wallace retired.

' Mr. Eward continued its publication one year. when he disposed of his interest and came to Converse, where he has since resided, identified with the best interests of Miamicounty. Upon coming to Converse he was, till 1870, engaged in the mercantile business with J. W. Flinn & Son. He then began the practice of law, and as a republican, was in 1872 elected to the state legislature from Miami county, and served in the special session of 1872 and the regular session of 1873, proving a wise and acceptable legislator. In 1876 he was elected justice of the peace of his township. He was one of the organizers and and stock-holders of the Xenia Agricultural Society, of which he has been secretary many years. He also assisted in organizing the Old Settlers' Association, of which he was president for eight years, and is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Masonic fraternities, and the Christian church. He was married in 1865 to Miss Rebeeca York, by whom he is the father of four living children - Jessie L., Edgar D., Freddie and Elbert.

REV. ERNEST E. NEAL. was born at Westfield, Hamilton county, Indiana, and he was graduated from the Union Collegiate Institute in his native town in the year 1879. Mr. Neal's father was a Methodist minister and his son was trained in the life and usages of this church. The young man felt called to the work of the ministry, and in 1881 he entered Drew Theological seminary at Madison, New Jersey, from which institution he graduated in 1884. In April, 1884, Mr. Neal entered the North Indiana annual conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. 'There is a singular co-incidence in the fact that . the conference was in session in the city of Peru when Mr. Neal was admitted, and that in such a few years he became the pastor of the church here. The wife of the subject of this sketch, Mrs. Lissie E. Neal, and their three children, make a happy home life for this pastor, and this fact very largely explains Mr. Neal's success in his work. Mr Neal has served some of the leading churches of his conference and has been very successful in building up the charges committed to his care. His work is well known in Peru and Miami

NELSON W. MILLER, the writer of the financial history of this book, is a son of Abraham Miller and Mary M. (Phelps) Miller, born Nov. 3, 1852 in Clay township, Miami county, Indiana. Here he received his early education and when twenty years old, he took a short review in the Normal school at Valparaiso, Indiana. He then taught school in Clay township for two years and afterward followed farming and mechanical work until November 20, 1890, when he was appointed deputy auditor of Miami County, serving as such for the term of four years. April 1, 1895 he was appointed together with Mr. John H. Jamison, by the assessor tu appraise the realestate in the city of Peru for taxation, and he has served in other important positions. He was unnited in marriage on January 14, 1892 to Della Miller, daughter of Isaac and Maria (Brower) Miller. 'Two children have been born to them: Clarence W., bora March 4, 1893 and Frances:-H., born December 17, 1894.

ABRAHAM BETZNER is a native of Maryland, born August 31, 1837. His parents, John G. and Ustina (Keller) were natives of Germany and immigrated to this country in 1834. They moved direct from Maryland to Miami county in 1844 and first loeated where Wallick's mill is now, and there lived four years and operated the Godfroy saw mill, which he had rented. In 1844, his parents moved to the farm in Washington township two miles north-east of Bunken Hill, where the subject of this sketch and his mother now lives, John G. Betzner, the father of our subject, died July, 1394, lacking only four month of being 90 years old. The Betzner farm was purchased directly from the government but was not recorded until 1895. Abraham Betzner had seven

CHARLES M. FILLMORE is one of our young preachers who is worthy of the highest commendation. He was born in Paris, Ill., July 15, 1860. His father, is well known throughout the church as a pioneer preacher, musical composer and teacher. The son seems to have inherited his father's most striking characteristics. His boyhood life was spent on a farm near Cincinnati. It was his privilege, however, to attend the high school in the city, from which he graduated.

He took naturally to music. When he was in the high school a fund was raised sufficient to grant five scholarships to pupils of the public schools, 'These scholarships were contended for by several thousand pupils. Mr. Fillmore gaind one of the five. His purpose was to prépare for a professional musician. He studied under private teachers, and also in two of the music schools of Cincinnati.

He always had a desire to preach, but being of a somewhat timid nature resisted the impulse from fear of making a failure. But when his musical education was about complete, and though he had prospects of a partnership in an excellent music business, he yielded to the persuasion of friends and entered the ministry.

Knowing well the minister's need of thorough training, he entered Butler college, from which he graduated in 1890. He also spent some time in graduate work at the same school. He deserves the credit of ''making his way" through college. As a student he was earnest amd faithful. He took part in athletics, conducted the singing in the chapel, was one of the editors of the Butler Collegian, and belonged to the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He also preached regularly every Sunday. As evidence of his college standing, many of his most devoted friends to-day are his college companions.

Since graduation he has been engaged in Christian work. In Indiana he has filled several positions of prominence. He left the college and became District Evangelist. In this work he succeeded to the extent that he revived several declining congregations, and organized new ones at Akron and Bunker Hill, Indiana. He then became pastor of the church at Lafayette. He served this congregation acceptably for two years, and then took the pastorate at Shelbyville. He found the church somewhat devided, and succeeded in bringing about harmony. Here he began to realize that it is not good for man to be alone, and while he served his congregation devotedly, he still found time to woo and win a most excellent lady, Miss Maggie Kennedy, whom he wedded October 15, 1892, and who has since been a source of inspiration toward higher attainments.

Evangelist. This place he filled for one year, and showed in the work his usual energy. He was then sent by the C. W. B. M. to Ogden, Utah, for six months, as a supply in the absence of the pastor, John L. Brant, on a lecture tour in the interest of a church building at that place. On returning to Indiana, the state board sent him to Peru, to build a congregation from the ''ground up." He is now in his third year's work at this place. Here he has shown great courage, sacrifice and devotion to the cause of Christ, as well as successful business management. Though he has been offered larger churches with better salaries, he has chosen to remain with this work. He began with thirteen members and now has over two hundred, and a valuable church property practically out of debt.

Hon. H. V. Passage At Age Of 50

HON. H. V. PASSAGE was born in Montgonfery county, Ohio, Dec. 20, 1835. John Passage, his father, moved tu Indiana when he was two years old. He is a medical graduate of Rush Medical college, Chicago, and Bellevue Medical college, New York. Is a literary graduate of Indiana University. Commenced the practice of medicine in 1857. Was elected to the Indiana legislature in 1884, and again in 1892. Is the author of the law of 1885 compelling corporations to pay loborers monthly and making their wages a preferred claim in case of bankruptcy. His great grandfather, Bernard Passage, and his grandfather, Henry Passage, came to this country with Lafayette, and at the close of the war his grandfather decided to remain. His great grandfather was killed in battle. In 1858, Mr. Passage married Martha, daughted of Elijah S. Cooper, treasurer of Hancock county, Indiana.

CLEM GRAVES, of Deer Creek township, is a rising young breeder of Hereford cattle. He is not only known in his own state, but has gained quite an enviable reputation in neighboring states where he has shown his cattle. Mr. Graves will say nothing of himself, but takes great pride in examining and talking about cattle of all grades and breeds. The writer and compiler of this history recently visited Mr. Grave's farm and learned something of the Herefords. These cattle are remarkable for the uniformity of their outward characteristics and general attributes. The prevailing color is red, from moderately light to dark in shade, with white belly and bush, and clear white face. This distinguishing feature is indelibly stamped in the breed, forming a striking instance of the: remarkable power of long sustained hereditary influence. In conformation, the breed displays nearly as much uniformity as in color. The most striking features of this are their broad, level back, wide chest and brisket, and great wealth of flesh. A most characteristic is that they carry flesh most heavily on the parts of the frame from which the best ineat is cut. ;

The Hereford is pre-eminently a beef animal, unsurpassed as grazers, maturing at a very early age. For crossing with our native cattle there is no better breed.

The Graves herd is headed by Columbus No. 51,875; by Earl of Shadeland 41st, by Garfield. The cows are of the blood of Fowler, Cherry Boy, Anxiety 3rd, Earl Milton and other historical animals, thus combinding individual merit with merit by inheritance. In 1895 this herd was exhibited at the Toledo tri-state fair, Michigan state fair, and leading district and county fairs of Indiana, winning forty-five firsts, twenty-one seconds and four grand sweepstakes premiums.

The Herefords won more premiums in grand sweep-stakes of beef breeds at the Columbian Exposition than any other breed, and in 1888 won eleven out of seventeen sweepstakes ribbons at fat-stock show, Chicago. On the block they won three out of five prizes. But it is not in the show yard that the Herefords have won their proudest victories. It is with the renter, the smal] eeder, the great ranch man of the west, in the hands of men, where the economy of production has to do with the value of the product, that they have risen superlative above all competitors.

CHARLES R. HUGHES, the present clerk of the Miami Circuit court, was born in Marion county, Indiana, November 30, 1859, and is the oldest of a _ family of eight children, five of whom are now living, namely: Mrs. Fannie Dilldine, of Indianapolis; James A. Hughes, of Willows, California; Frank Hughes, of Terre Haute, Indiana; and Miss Luella Hughes, of Indianapolis His parents Isham and Srepta A. (Orm) Hughes, were born in Marion county, Indiana and Kentuckey,. respectively.

The subject of this sketch was born and raised on a farm eight miles from Indianapolis, and when about six years old his parents moved there and the father resumed his occupation as an engineer. Mr. Hughes went to the Indianapolis schools, from which he graduated at the age of 16. During vacations and for a short time after graduation he clerked in two of the large dry goods stores of the city and for some time was employed in the law firm of - Baker, Horde & Hendricks.

In 1875 Mr. Hughes began in the employ of the old I. P. & C. and continued in the services of that road until he was elected clerk of this county. While Gould had control of the Wabash in connection with the old I. P. &C., he worked on all the lines of the Wabash system east of the Mississippi. He was considered one of the best engineers on the system.

April 19, 1881, Mr. Hughes was united in marriage to Maggie E. Burnett, a very popular and accomplished teacher of the county. She is the daughter of Absalom and Elizabeth (Baughn) Burnett, pioneers of this county. Their union has heen blessed with two children: Fannie May, born May 1,

JOSEPH H. LARIMER, ex-clerk of the Miami Vircuit court and one of the leading members of the Miami county bar, is a native of Deer Creek township, this county, where he was born February 3, 1854, and is the fourth son of Joseph D., and Mary A. (Miller) Larimer, natives of Fairfield and Perry counties, Ohio, respectively. Joseph D. Larimer was born in the year 1826, emigrated to Indiana in 1846, and settled on a farm in Deer Creek township, where his death occurred August 11, 1877.

The subject of this sketch spent his early life on the farm, received in the common schools a good English education, and at the age of twenty. began teaching and followed this profession for six years. During his career as teacher he commenced reading law with John W. Curran, of Kokomo. In 1880 he read law with Farrars & Carpenter and was admitted 1o the bar in October of the same year. He did not at once engage in the active practice of his chosen profession, but took charge of the Bunker Hill Press, a weekly paper, of which he was editor and proprietor from November, 1880, to November, 1881. Severing his connection 'with said paper, he returned to Peru, where he engaged in the active practice of law, which he continued until elected clerk of the Circuit court. He made the race for this office against one of the most popular candidates placed in the field and after an exciting contest, was elected by a decided majority. He took the office in 1887, was reelected to the office and served continuously until August, 1895. He was selected as president of the Peru street fair in 1895. Since leaving the clerk', office he has been engaged in the practice of law. He and his partner, David E, Rhodes, are building up a large and lucrative law practice.

JOS. A. NICOLES, was born Necembsr 29, 1850, on the old homestead by the township house in Pipe Creek township, His father was of English and German descent, born in Vaginia, in 1804. He emigrated to Ohio in an early day. He was married to Elizabeth Davidson in 1830 and moved to Indiana and settled first near I'welvemile in the °30's. By this union were born four sons and one daughter: Aleniah W., November 18, 1831; Samuel J,, October 3. 1833; Wm. H., December 13, 1839; Francis M., March 31, 1841; Susannah, May 25, 1836 Elizabeth died June 11, 1841.

His father remarried in October 23, 1842, to Mary E. Maxey. By this union were born Mariah E., August 11, 1843; James C., November 18, 1844; JacobN., November 3. 1846; George J. November 9, 1848; Jos. A., December 29, 1850; Desdemona A., March 24, 1853; Nathaniel A. and Arthur D., May 19, 1855; Thomas A. October 23, 1858. In 1848 he moved to Pipe Creek township, on the farm now owned by Wm. Tillett where he remained till his death, which oecurred November. 21, 1878. Hus father's second wife Mary, died June 8, 1877. Jos. A., received his education principally at the home district school. He attended the spring term of 1872 at the state normal and took a course at the Terre Haute Commercial college the same year. He clerked in a grocery owned by Wm. Hensel, of Tere Haute, for eight months - during the spring and summer of 1873, then clerked for T. H. Riddle during the summer of 1874, who carried in stock notions, millinery, jewelery and fancy goods. Then he took up school teaching which he followed for a period of four years. Having taught four terms in Indiana and ove term in Illinois. The Illinois school was a spring term. These terms were in 1875, 76, '77 and '78; spring term in 1876. He was married to Amanda J. Erbaugh on April 12, 1877, - a daughter of Philip Erbaugh. To this union four sons are born: Pliney C., February 9, 1878; Arthur W., September 3, 1884; Claud E., January 22, 1887, Warren E., April 4, 1896; Amanda J. was born September 22, 1857.

Jos. A., has been engaged priucipally since marriage, in farming, however in the spring 1888, he engaged in the the hardware and grocery business, having bought out a stock of hardware owned by B. Sullavan & Son, ot Bunker Hill and a stock of groceries of Jacob Apgar. In the fall of the same year he added dry goods and continued in the business until the spring of 1890, closing out on account of poor health. He sold the hardware and implements

- to John Isler and the dry goods and groceries to R. Miller & Co. Mr. Nicoles was elected trustee of Pipe Creek township April, 1890, and served in that

THE KEV. B. F. CAVINS, D.D., the pastor of the Baptist church at Peru, was born at Bloomfield, Indiana, March 25, 1838. He attended college: at Greencastle, Indiana, and graduated from the law department of the State University at Bloomington in 1859. Immediately thereafter he located im Nebraska City, Nebraska, where he remained in the practice of law until the: war of the rebellion broke out. He early enlisted in the service in the 2nd Indiana cavalry and remained in the service until the close of the war. in 1869 he united with the Baptist church and was ordained to the ministry in June, 1870. In June, 1871, he became pastor of the Baptist church at Vincennes, Indiana. After remaining there nearly two years, the church at Madison extended him a call to be its pastor, which call was accepted. After being at Madison several months, the Baptist church at Greensburg, Indiana, offereé him the pastorate of that church. Accepting this call he remained pastor for seven years. In March, 1882, he received and accepted the call to become thé pastor of the First Baptist church of Peru, where he has continued his work up to this date. He found the church small in members, but with many earnest. workers, so that from.a babe, the church has grown to a giant. Under~this

JOHN H. RUNKLE, the present county superintendent of schools, and the author of the chapter on school, history of this book, was born near Macy, Miami county, Indiana, October 20, 1861. His father, Jacob Runkle, was a4 native of Perry county, Ohio, and his mother, Mary (Leyse) Runkle was a native of Switzerland. She, with her parents, emigrated to this country in 1852. They made the voyage in a sail boat, taking 36 days to cross the Atlantic. Mr. Runkle, the subject of this sketch, lived on the farm with his father until he was 21 years of age. He received a common school education at Germany school house in Allen township and attended his first county normal under thesupervision of W. C. Bailey in 1883. He taught his first school at the Zartman school house iu the fall and -winter of 1883-84. Mr. Runkle is what the American people call a 'self-made man." By his own individual energy and will he has.ascended to the important position which he so successfully maintains. Being limited in means he taught in the winter and attended school at Valparaiso in the summer. He was elected trustee of Allen township over an opposing party majority in 1890, and in the winter of 1890-91 taught school at Gilead.and attended to the duties.as trustee at the same time. In. the spring of 1891, he resigned his office as trustee of Allen townsbip to run for county. superintendent and was elected to this office in June of that year on the 96th ballot, He was re-elected in June, 1893, and again in 1895.

CHARLES W. PALMER, the subject of this sketch, and author of the history of Allen township, was born on October 8, 1866. Heis the son of Wilson and Nancy E. (Packard) Palmer, the former a native of Holmes county, Ohio, and the latter of Indiana. Mr. Palmer was reared on a farm, and until he reached his majority attevded the district schools of the township in winter and worked on the farm in summer. After graduating from the graded schools of Macy he took up the avocation of teaching, and has taught successfully for the past ten years, which fact is verified by his having only been employed in three different schools in that time. Mr. Palmer having a taste for legal knowledge employed his spare time in the study of law, and is at. present the deputy prosecutor of Allen township. Besides looking after violators of the criminal law in his locality, he enjoyes a good civil practice and if no unseen circumstances appear to bar his progress will in the near future be one of the leading attorneys of the county.

In 1887 Mr. Palmer was married to Ettna E. Collins, and'to them have been born two children: Walter S. and Doris F., Walter S. dying in infancy.

Mr. Palmer is a member of the I. O. O. F. and F. & A. M. fraternites, having been secretary of the former for more than four years. Heis a member of the Christian church and a democrat in politics, having for many } ears taken a deep interest in both religious and political matters.

COL. H. F. UNDERWOOD, the writer of the military history in this book, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, Oct. 8, 1848. He was brought up on a farm, worked nine months in a year and attended school in a log schoolhouse the balance of the year. During said school period he had to perform the necessary morning and evening work on the farm.

In October, 1861, he enlisted in company I, 43rd regiment, Ohio volunteers. In October, 1862, at the battle of Corinth, Miss., he was wounded, resulting in the loss of his left hand. He was discharged and attended school for one year at the Fairfield Union academy at Pleasantville, Ohio, when he returned to the.army, in the transportation department, at Chattanooga, Tenn., where he remained until Aug. 1, 1865.

In April, 1866, he came to Miami county, Indiana. He was absent for a time at Oberlin, Ohio, attending school, returning in the latter part of 1867. On the first day of August, 1868, he commenced to read law in the office of Shirk & Mitchell at Peru, and was admitted to practice at the bar in 1869. At that time and for many years he gave his attention to the practice in the departments at Washington, D. C., in which business he is still engaged.

*DK. JAMES A. MEEK, writer of the history of Bunker Hill in this book, was born in Lexington, Scott county, Indiana, Aug. 18, 1828. His parents were Robert and Lydia B. (Haas) Meek, and were natives respectively of Ohio and Virginia. At an early age he was left by the death of his father to rely on his own resources for a living. At the age of 20 he began the study of medicine at Laporte, Ind., in the office of his uncle, Dr. T. D. Lemon. After dilligent study for two years and attending a course of lectures from the Laporte Medical college, he began the practice of medicine in New Marion. Ripley county, in 1850. On the first day of March, 1852, he, with others, left for the gold fields of California, making the entire trip with ox teams, the last 100 miles leaving their worn-out and brokea-down teams and traveling over the Sierra Nevada mountains on foot, carrying their blankets and other camping utensils, reaching Placerville, or Haughton as it was then called, in four days. In the fall of 1854 he returned to the states and was married to Matilda E. Davis, of South Bend, Ind., Dec. 25, locating in Peru two days later. Ia 1856 he was elected recorder of the town of Peru. In 1858 he removed from Peru, locating in Bunker Hill, where he has since resided.

Mrs. Meek died Dec. 9, 1866, leaving two children, Mary L. Hartman (deceased) and Thomas E. Meek, of Chicago. In 1868 the doctor was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary B. Gilmore, widow of Dr. A. W. Gilmore, who was the mother of two children, Daniel T. of the state of Washington, and Mary F. Bolton, of Chicago. Mrs. Mary B. Meek died Oct. 2, 1891. In 1859 the doctor was appointed the first postmaster of Bunker Hill, and is now holding the office, having been appointed in 1893.

JAMES L. KLING, the veterinary surgeon, was born in Lancaster county, Ohio, Jan. 25, 1852. His parents moved to this county when he was about 2 years old and located at Waupecong. They remained there for about four years, and then moved to a farm southwest of Waupecong. Here the subject of our sketch grew to manhood and developed a hardy, rugged constitution. While quite young he was engaged in assisting his father in managing and operating one of the old horse-power threshing maehines, and, when older, hg and his brothers bought and operated the first steam-power thresher in that section of the county, in which business they have had a continuous interest. Now the firm of Kling & Sams own three first-class traction engines and threshing outfits, also a heavy portable saw mill.

During his boyhood Mr. Kling developed a love for horses and domestic animals, and soon learned the art of castrating, a business he has successfully followed for over eighteen years, during which time he developed himself by reading and assimilating the best standard works on veterinary practice until he was competent to treat almost any ailment of the horse. . Not being satisfied with the knowledge thus acquired he has taken a thorough course of study at the Chicago Veterinary college, from which he lacks only a few weeks of graduation. He is at present engaged in practice at his home two miles south of McGrawsville, spending Fridays and Saturdays at Converse.

Mr. Kling is a thorough citizen and is very highly respected by his large acquaintance, which extends throughout this and adjoining counties.

DAVID G. JACOBS, of Pipe Creek township, was born in Miflin county, Pennsylvania, Oct. 24, 1846. His parents, David and Rebecca J. (McKinstry), both living, .are natives of that state, born 1811 and 1817, respectively. His ancestors for generations have been tillers of the soil. His father's mother was born in Ireland, and came to the United States at the age of 12, just prior to the revolutionary war. His mother's grandfather, Bratton. was a soldier in that war.

David's parents came to this county in the fall of 1849, bought the piece of property. on West Third street where Billy Levi now lives, rented land near town and harvested crops on the present site of Grant street and the woolen mills. After two or three. years the residence was traded to E. H. Shirk for a farm of 206 acres, where they now live in Pipe Creek township. Seventyeight acres were purchased later. Part of the farm is river-bottom land.

David's father was one of the early trustees, when there were three elected, and when the law was changed to make one eligible to the office a year at a time he was chosen eight years in succession. The business of the the son to early obtain'a knowledge of such affairs. At the age of 22 David was elected assessor and served two years, and then after several years was chosen to a four years' term. In the fall of 1894 he was elected for the short term, and has assessed the reul estate of Pipe Creek township twice and the personal property eight times.

Mr. Jacobs was united in marriage in November, 1868, to Elizabeth Garber. This union has been blessed with five children - Sarah Elizabeth, wife of Charles Lees; Carrie B., Maggie M., John William and Edna. The youngest, Edna, is 15 years old. But few couples are blessed with such an excellent family.