Liberty Township (part 1 of 5)

Liberty Township

Among all grades of history, none is more instructive, or sought after with greater eagerness, than that which truthfully delineates the rise and progress of the State, county, or even township in which one lives. There is pleasure as well as profit to every well educated and inquiring mind, in contemplating the struggles of the early settlers in all portions of the great West ; how they encountered and successfully overcame every species of trial, hardship and danger incident to a life in the wilderness. But these things strike us more forcibly, and fill our minds with more immediate interest, when confined to our own little county, where, perchance, we can yet meet with some of the gray-haired actors in those early scenes - actors with whom life's rugged day is almost over, whose bravery in encountering troubles and misfortunes in the backwoods has borne an important part toward making our country what it now is, and whose acts, in connection with hundreds of others in the first settling of our vast domain, have compelled the civilized world to acknowledge that the Americans are an invincible people.

It may appear to some a rather small and insignificant work to record the history of so small a portion of the earth's surface as is embraced within the limits of a township, but it will be remembered that our vast republic is composed of States that are made up of counties, which, in turn, are subdivided into smaller divisions, each of which contributes its share to the general history of the country. Though occupying but a small part of Howard County, Ind., the township, to which the following pages are devoted, has a history peculiarly its own, and fraught with interest to all her citizens at least, besides many others whose early homes were located within its territory.

Topography And Productions

Liberty Township originally formed a part of Jackson and Green Townships, and dates its history as a separate division from the year 1853, at which time it was set oif with its present boundaries. It occupies territory in the northeastern part of the county, having a geographical area of thirty-one and a half square miles, being eight miles long from north to south, and four miles from the eastern to the western limits. It is bounded on the east by Jackson Township and a part of Union, on the south by Union, on the west by Taylor and Howard Townships, on the north by Miami County, and is composed of portions of Congressional Towns 23 and 24 north, Range 5 east.

The distinguishing characteristics of Liberty are its fine undulating farm lands, which in point of fertility and productiveness are unsurpassed b^ any similar amount of territory in the county. The northern and central portions are very level, and in -certain places contain some low, marshy land, but the great majority of its acres are susceptible of a high degree of cultivation, as is attested by the rank which the township takes as an agricultural district. In the southern part, adjacent to Wild Cat, the surface is more irregular, but in no place is it too broken or uneven for tillage. The soil is a deep, black loam, mixed with clay in certain localities, and very fertile. It rests upon a clay subsoil, which renders artificial drainage easy. The township is well watered and drained by several streams which traverse the country in various directions, the chief of which is Big Wild Cat. This water-course enters the township near the southeast corner, flows a northwesterly direction through Sections 10, 9, 5, 4 and 32, and crosses the western boundary from Section 31. It passes through a very fertile region of country, and receives several small tributaries, which are not designated by any particular names.

The surface of the township was originally covered with dense forests, which afforded a natural home for many kinds of wild animals, and their scarcely less wild companions, the red men. The productions of these forests were at one time the source of considerable wealth to those who settled in the timber and made the lumber busines sa specialty. At the head of these forest products, stands the black walnut, a tree unequaled in the United States for its many uses in cabinet-making. Vast quantities of this timber were found in the woods of this township, mucli of it being ruthlessly destroyed by the pioneer settlers, who had no adequate idea of its value. Next in value is the poplar, which affords the principal amount of lumber for all practical purposes to the farmers of this part of the country. Another of the forest raonarchs is the elm, which grows to gigantic size in the low lands, along the water-courses. Beech, linden, ash, hard and soft maple, hackberry, buckeye and several species of oak are found growing in abundance. There is also a luxuriant undergrowth, consisting principally of spicebush, papaw and dogwood.

Agricultural productions of every kind indigenous to this latitude are certain of a rapid growth and large returns, as is shown by the wealth that has been drawn from the bosom of the soil during the past forty years - a wealth Avhich has covered the township with beautiful homes, and contributed toward feeding the hungry millions of other lands. Wheat and corn are the staple products, to which the soil seems peculiarly adapted. Of the former, as high as forty bushels per acre have been produced in favorable seasons, although the average will fall considerably short of that amount. Other cereals are raised, particularly oats, which return abundant and well paying harvests almost every year. Apple orchards are beginning to be extensively cultivated, and fruits of the finest and hardiest varieties yield abundantly and are being produced in large quantities, while tjie already large area of orchards receives yearly additions.

Pioneer Settlement

The first settlement within the present limits of Liberty Township was made by Henry Bailly, on the site of Green town, about the year 1843. He was accompanied by several sons and sons-in-law, all of whom moved into a small tent with the Indians, with whom they resided until their cabin was erected. The Baillys moved to this locality from what is now Union Township, where they made their first improvements, nt the village of Jerome, as early as the year 1842. They appear to have been men of roving tendencies, remaining but a short time at one place, but they always managed to better their condition with each move they made. Like many early settlers in a new country, they were men of moderate means, but by taking eligible claims and afterward selling their improvements as the settlements increased, became in time the possessors of some wealth. It is said that twenty-seven pre-emptions were taken by the family at different times during the period of their residence in this and adjoining townships. They were residents of the county until about the year 1850, when they sold out and moved to Iowa, in which State the old gentleman's death occurred several years ago. A son-inlaw of Bailly, by the name of Anderson, came to the township about the same time and settled in the same locality. He was a man of no particular note, and made but few improvements, spending the greater portion of his time hunting, from which he derived his principal means of subsistence. Robert Felton, another son-in-law, joined the family shortly after their arrival, and was identified with the township in the capacity of a citizen until the year 1847.

In the year 1844, Joshua Freeman settled about one mile south of Greentown, in Section 5, where he took a claim and cleared a small patch of ground. He was a noted hunter and trapper, and passed over almost every acre of ground in the eastern part of the county in his quest of game, which, in that early day, Avas abundant and easily procured. He afterward disposed of his improvements to a Mr. I >imb and left the township.

An eccentric character, by the name of Hopkins, squatted near the Freeman claim in the latter part of 1844. He erected a rude pole shanty in the woods, lived entirely alone, and subsisted on game, roots, bark and such articles of food as the settlers saw fit to give him during his ramblings over the country. He appears to have been at one period of his life a man of strong intellect and considerable culture, but at the time of which we write he was sadly demented and passed the greater part of his time roving about the country, preaching, singing and reciting original poetry whenever he could find an idle crowd to give him audience. Among his eccentricities are remembered the habit of carrying a bed, an ax and a rooster with him in all his ramblings, also a long string of red peppers, which he wore around his neck as a charm for warding off the influence of the evil one.

Prominent among early residents of Liberty was Charles 0. Fry, who moved to Howard County, about the year 1842, and settled in Union Township, near the present site of Jerome Village, where he took a claim and made considerable improvements. In 1845, he traded this claim to

Henry Bailly, and moved where the latter lived in this township, on Section 4 - land which he entered in 1847. Fry was a man of considerable note in the community where he resided, and took a lively interest in all movements calculated to develop the country's resources. He was the chief mover in the laying-out of Greentown, and it is to him as much as to any other man that the village is indebted for its success and prosperity. In addition to farming. Fry gave some attention to stockraising, and was one of the first citizens of the township to make that industry a success. He was identified with the township for a period of sixteen years, when he sold his real estate to Stephen Kirkpatrick and moved to Marion County, near Indianapolis, where he died in 1876.

The same year that saw Fry locate in Liberty witnessed the arrival of James Morton, William Cox, John Sharpe and Matthew Golden. The first named settled about one-half mile east of Greentown, on land where a few improvements had formerly been made by Stephen Comer, of whom the claim was purchased. Morton was a native of Virginia, a man of considerable energy, and soon had a goodly number of acres under successful cultivation. He became a prominent farmer and stock-dealer, and earned the reputation of being a public-spirited citizen during the period of his residence in the township. He died in the year 1849. The place on which he first settled is owned and occupied at the present time by Henry Brunk. Cox located about one and a half miles southeast of Greentown, in Section 10, where he entered land a few years later. He came here from Wayne County, and resided in Liberty until 1858, at which time he sold to Stephen Kirkpatrick and moved to another part of the county. Sharpe located in Section 3, near the eastern boundary of the township, where he lived until 1850, when he sold his farm to Benjamin Wood and moved to Clay County. He was a man of more than ordinary education and culture, and served several terms as a teacher in the early schools of the township. Golden took a claim a short distance east of Sharpe's place on land at present owned by Jesse Ware. He came to this locality from Shelby County and became a man of some note in the community, being elected one of the first Justices of the Peace in the township. He resided on his fiirm until the year 1856, when he sold to W^illiam Hatfield and moved to one of the Western States.

Another early settler deserving of special mention was James Lind ley, whose arrival in the township dates from the year 1845. He was a native of Wayne County, N. C. Reared upon a farm, his early life was passed in the usual routine of farm labor, and he grew to rugged manhood amid the bracing airs of his Southern home, where he was taught the dignity and nobility of labor and those lessons of economy and frugality which so well fitted him for the difficulties incident to the life of a pioneer. Having determined to move where land could be easily obtained, he left his native State in the year 1811, and emigrated to Indiana, settling in the southern part of the State, near Richmond. When the land in this county came into market, he made a tour of inspection through the eastern townships for the purpose of selecting a home. Being pleased with the appearance of a piece of land lying about two miles north of Greentown, he determined to locate there, and immediately took a claim. He entered this tract of land in October, 1847, and resided upon it about four years, when he moved to Clinton County, Ohio. Several sons of this old pioneer accompanied him to this country, of whom two, Tence and William, are still living in the county, the former at Kokomo and latter at Greentown. Jesse Osborne, a son-in-law of Lindley, came about the same time and located on the present site of Greentown, of which he was one of the proprietors. He became a prominent citizen and was several times elected Justice of the Peace, besides serving the township as Trustee shortly after its organization. Two other sons-inlaw, John Arraantrout and Jacob Elliott, came a short time afterward.

In 1846, the population of the township was increased by the arrival of Absalom Lamb, a native of North Carolina, who located south of Greentown, on a claim purchased of Joshua Freeman. Ira Thorpe, Benjamin Young, E. Pickering, Stanton Bailey, all of whom settled in the southern part of the township. Jacob Davis and his sons, John and Jacob, Jr., came about the same time as the foregoing, and selected their homes in the western part of the township on the Kokomo & Jonesboro road, where Uncle "Jack," as he was familiarly called, opened a public house for the accommodation of such travelers as saw fit to accept his hospitalities. In this primitive tavern the bill of fare consisted of choice venison steaks, corn dodgers, stewed pumpkin, flapjacks, etc., with a generous supply of the liquid which maketh the heart merry and the head light, consequently there were always plenty of paying guests. The foregoing list comprises the majority of settlers who located within the present limits of the township prior to 1847.

Prior to 1847, the settlers obtained their claims by " pre-emption, " but in that year the land was put upon the market, subject to entry at the Government price of $2 per acre. This served to attract a number of persons to the new country, and during the year mentioned we find the population of the township increased by the following settlers, who obtained patents for their land from the Government : Thomas L. Smith, Section 3 ; Luther Segraves and Josiah Beeson, Section 9 ; Jacob Elliott, Aaron Elliott, Tence Lindley and Benjamin Carr, in Section 31 ; Charles Lindley and James Lindley, in Section 32 ; Robert Fair, Section 4 ;

William Fulwider, Section 5 ; Daniel Nordyke, in the same section, and Tarver Segraves in Section 33. During the year 1848, the following persons entered land in the township, several of whom had purchased claims some time previous : Thomas Thatcher, Timothy L. Garrigus, Nathan Simmons, A. L. Hestor, R. W. Smith, Arch Moorman, Jacob Schrock, Joseph Kendall, James A. Wright, Henry Schrock, Joseph Troyer^ Emanuel Hochsteadler, John Webb, Martin Chamness, Henry Cook, Thompson Simmons, Peter Kingseed, M. D. Miller, Daniel Gerber, M. Shultz, A. J. Simmons, Boze Manner, John Shute, R. M. C. Martin, Henry Thomas, Benjamin Abertson, Peter Davis, A. W. Lewis, Daniel Stone, John Tira, Joseph Shaffer, George Wade, Benjamin Seese, James Cook, Lewis Summers, Jacob Brememan, John Hart, C. Willitts, Horace Summers, Baltzer Lybrook, Robert Simpkin, James M. Loop, Jonathan Fisher, D. W. Johnson, Epperson Painter, Hardy Johnson, John Shock ey, Harvey Martin, Dempsey Thornburgh, James Osborne, Jacob Ray, William Jones, Tence Howell, Elias Fouts, George Golding, John Arnett, Davis Pegg, John Linville, Elam Johnson, Joseph Bates, George Stevens, James Swope, David Bagley, Moses Rich. Other early settlers were John Winslow, P. S. Maxwell, George Tru third. Resetter Gray, Eli Hockett, P. Costlow, John Healton, R. H. Stanley, William Woods, Thomas Gallian, A. N. Goff, Joel Stephenson, William Y. Stephenson, Noah Westerfield, L. F. Springer, E. P. Gallian, William Morgan, Isaac Vankirk, Andrew Zeek. Many others entitled to a mention could be added to the names enumerated did not the limits of the article forbid.

During the years 1849 and 1850, the influx of population was steady and constant, and by the year 1851 all the available land was taken up and improved.

Early Condition Of The Country

One cannot write history as a blind man goes about the street feeling his way with a stick. The facts are transparent, and through them we catch gleams of other facts, as the rain-drop catches light and the beholder sees the splendor of a rainbow. We are to speak of common men, whose lot it was to plant civilization, and who in so doing displayed the virtues which render modern civilization a boast and a blessing. Those early times cannot be reproduced by any prose of the historian. The pioneers had a thousand years behind them, and in their little space of time they made greater progress than ten centuries had witnessed. Theirs was a full life. They did so much, it is hard to recognize the doers. Of their constancy one can judge by the fact that but few went back to their ancestral homes.

lot of those who carved for themselves homes in the forests. Their early struggles and hardships are but a repetition of those experienced by all other settlers in a new and uninhabited country. The first year was generally the most difficult, as houses had to be erected and ground cleared for a crop - an undertaking attended by many difficulties, considering the wet condition of the soil and the dense forest growth to be removed. The little stock of provisions frequently gave out, and many hardships were endured in order to obtain the necessaries of life from the older settlements and distant market places, but after the first crop was harvested there was generally a plentiful supply for home consumption, stored away and husbanded with scrupulous care. The forest supplied the meat from the bountiful store of game, in quantity and quality, according to demand. Deer were every where abundant and afforded the chief means of subsistence to many families during the first two and three years' sojourn in the woods.

Jonathan Fisher states that in one year he killed one hundred and twenty-five within a few miles of his home. A man by the name of Ray was a hunter of considerable note, and frequently killed four and five deer a day, of which he kept nothing but the hams and hides. The other parts of the carcass were given to any one who desired them, or left in the woods to be devoured by the wolves. Wild turkeys were so plentiful as to be no rarity, and were considered game not worth the ammunition required to kill them. An occasional bear was seen, but the majority of these animals had disappeared several years prior to the first settlement by the whites. A large one was killed a short distance east of Greentown about the year 1846, which weighed over four hundred pounds. This was the only one ever killed in the township, as far as can now be learned. Wolves infested the woods in great numbers, and proved very destructive to stock. Farmers were obliged to build tight pens for their hogs and sheep, yet despite all their precautions an occasional lamb and porker would fill a prey to the gaunt scourges of the forests. In time, these animals disappeared, many of them being killed by the early settlers for the reward offered by the State for their scalps.

As settlers increased in numbers, a common cause was made in meeting the wants of each other, helping for help again. The idea of assisting another for a pecuniary consideration never intruded itself into the mind of the pioneer in those early days. If a cabin was to be raised or clearing " rolled, " all the occasion demanded of the neighbors near and remote was a knowledge of the time and place, distance being a secondary consideration, and other less pressing work had to succumb in order to render the needed assistance. Every man's cabin was his castle. The "latch string always hung out, " and the traveler was assured of a kind welcome and a place at the frugal board, as hospitality was a virtue culti- vated to a rare degree by the pioneer settlers of Howard County. Those old times are gone, buried in the dead past, but with them are gone a world of pleasant memorijs. Many frosty haired veterans, whose youth was passed amid the stirring scenes of those early days, recall them as the most enjoyable period of their lives and regret the days that can never return.

Early Improvements, Etc

The early settlers of Liberty were obliged to travel long distances over almost impassable roads for their groceries and breadstuffs. For several years, Peru, Logansport, Marion, Jonesboro, and, later, New London and Russiaville, in the western part of the county, were the nearest places where those supplies could be obtained. Money, in those early days, was a scarce article and many families were compelled to deny themselves the luxuries which to-day are considered necessities. Deer skins, ginseng, and maple sugar, of which large quantities were made every spring, were articles of commercial importance by means of which many families kept themselves supplied with groceries, dry goods, etc.

The first mill in the township was erected in the year 1849 by Luther Segraves, and stood about one mile south of Greentown on Big Wild Cat. This was a combination mill which sawed lumber and ground grain, and supplied a long- felt want in the community. During the erection of this mill, a very distressing accident occurred, in which the proprietor, Mr. Segraves, lost his life by falling through the building. The enterprise was afterward taken up by Mr. Jennings, who operated the mill very successfully for a number of years. It did a good business, being well patronized by the citizeris of this and adjoining townships, and was in operation until about the year 1863.

William Lindley erected a saw mill in the southern part of the township on Wild Cat, about the year 1850, which he sold to a man by the name of Dorman ; five years later, Dorman built an addition to the original building, put in two runs of buhrs and did a very fair business for several years. It is still in operation, and at the present time is owned by Abraham Curlee. Ira and 0. P. Hollingsworth built and operated a steam saw mill at the village of Greentown about the year 1852. This was what is known as a "muley-saw." It gave employment to a number of hands, and was in successful operation until about the year 1859. Valentine Somers operated a steam saw mill at the village also during the years 1853 and 1854. It was purchased by other parties and removed from the township a number of years since. A number of other mills have been built, from time to time, the majority of them being portable saw mills which remained but a short time in one place.

The first roads through Liberty were not laid out with any reference to section lines. Each settler took the shortest route across the country in order to arrive at his destination as quickly as possible, and as a result there are a number of zigzag roads which have been a source of considerable annoyance to land-owners through whose farms they pass. Eflfbrts have been made, however, to have all the roads properly established, and in time will be effected.

The first legally established highway was the Jonesboro & Kokomo road, which passes through the southern part of the township from east to west. It was surveyed and laid out about the year 1848, and is at the present time one of the most extensively traveled highways in the eastern part of the county. It was graveled in the year 1870, and is now known as the Kokomo, Greentown & Jerome pike. [For further particulars concerning this road, see chapter on general county history.] The Marion & Kokomo State road, which passes through the central part of the township from east to west, was an early road also, having been established some time prior to 1858. The original line was surveyed by Dr. Richmond, but, during the past twenty years, many changes have been made and it no longer runs on the old route.

The Kokomo & Greentown gravel road extends through the western part of the township from Greentown to the western boundary. It was commenced in 1869 and completed in the year 1874. It runs parallel with the Kokomo, Greentown & Jerome pike, one- half mile south, and, with the last-named road, has been the means of developing the resources of the township to a remarkable degree.

The Toledo, Delphos & St. Louis Narrow-Gauge Railroad passes through the southern part of the township in an easterly direction. It has proved a great benefit to the citizens of the township by affording ample facilities for shipping their grain and live-stock, and bringing a good market into their midst. It was completed in the year 1871.

First Death And Marriage

It is difficult to determine at this distant day which of the early settlers was first summoned away by death, though it is supposed to have been Mrs. Benjamin Lamb. She died in the year 1846, and was interred in the Lamb Graveyard, about one mile southwest of Greentown, on the south bank of Wild Cat. This cemetery was laid out by Absalom Lamb on his farm, and is one of the principal burying grounds in the east part of the county. Another early death was Curtis Morton, son of James Morton, who departed this life in the early part of 1847. He was buried about one mile east of Greentown, on the farm now in possession of Jesse

Ware. Several other interments were made in this graveyard, but it was finally abandoned and the remains removed to other burying places. The Lindley Graveyard was laid out in the year 1847 by James Lindley on his farm in Section 32. The first person laid to rest in this cemetery was the wife of John Lindley, whose death occurred in the latter part of the year mentioned.

An early burying ground was laid out a short distance south of Greentown, but was abandoned after being used a few years. Among the first burials at the place was Mrs. P. S. Maxwell, a daughter of Matthias Golding, one of the pioneers of the township.

Cupid's first victims in this township were Dr. Harvey and Elizabeth Morton, whose marriage was solemnized about the year 1847. Other early marriages were Samuel Lindley and Lillis Cook, James Howell and Rosetta Cook, and Ira Tharpe and Widow Harvey, all three of which occurred in the year 1848.

Early Elections And Officers

The first election in the township of which Liberty originally formed a part, was held at the farm of W. Cox, a short distance south of Green - town. The ballots were cast on a large stump, and, when counted in the evening, numbered just eighteen. At this election, Levi Bailly was unanimously chosen Justice of the Peace, an office which he filled with all the dignity of a Supreme Judge. Many laughable incidents are related of the manner in which he discharged the duties of his onerous position, and of the credit he took to himself as an exponent of the law. It is related of him that, upon one occasion, he was in a town in an adjoining county, when quite a riot occurred upon the street. Rushing into the midst of the crowd, he commanded the mob to disperse, telling them at the same time that he was an officer of the law and speaking with authority. Being questioned as to his authority, he replied, " Sir, I am a Justice of the Peace." "Where from?" " From Howard County, sir." '- Well, sir," finally retorted his interrogator, " does your jurisdiction extend over the whole d - d State ?" Other early Justices of the Peace were Fisher, Rosetter, Gray, John Smith, Charles Pindley, Eli Hockett, M. B. Golding and John Golding.

The first Board of Trustees were L. F. Springer, Tence Lindley and T. W. Sanders. The date of their election is not known. The second board was composed of Almon Cook, Charles Willits and Thomas Sanders. Since 1859, when the law providing for one Trustee instead of three went into effect, the following-named gentlemen have had charge of the office : R. Gray, Luther Gray, E. P. Gallion, J. T. Scott, William Nusser, William C. Warnock, William Johnson, an I C. M. Fifer, the present incumbent.

Among the citizens of Liberty who were called to fill county offices at difi'erent times were L. F. Springer, who served as Treasurer ; William Woods, Tence Lindley, M. B. Golding and David Smith, County Commissioners ; Samuel Lamb, Sheriff, and Luther Gray, Auditor.

Village Of Greentown

VILLAGE OF GREENTOWN. This thriving little town is situated in the southern part of the township, and dates its history from April, 1848, at which time the plat was placed upon record. The principal causes which led to the origin of the village was the outgrowth of the neighborhood's demand for a trading point. Coupled with this was the desire on the part of the proprietors for a big profit, which they thought could be easily realized from the sale of lots, as the location promised much for the welfare of the future city. It was laid out on the site of an old Indian town, known as Green's Village, from which the name Greentown is derived. From the county record we copy the following description, which will give the reader a good idea of the city :

" Greentown is laid out due north and south and east and west; occupies an elegant situation in Section 4, Township 23 north, Range 5 east, in Howard County, Ind. The township line, dividing 23 and 24, forms the base line of the town, and passes through the center of Main street, the open line in Section 4 running at a variation of fifty degrees and ten minutes to the left of the magnetic variation north, and intersecting the township line at right angles, forms the meridian of the town and passes through the center of Meridian street. The lots are fifty by one hundred and fifty feet, and point uniformly north and south. Main and Meridian streets are each eighty feet wide. Green and Howard are each sixty feet wide. The alleys are each ten feet wide, dividing each whole square into blocks of three lots each. The whole town is of a uniform bearing, and was surveyed February, 1848. All that part of the town which lies in Section 4 was laid out by Charles 0. Fry. All that part which lies in the southwest quarter of Section 33 was laid out by Jesse Osborne, and all that part which lies in the southeast quarter of Section 33 was laid by T. Segraves."

The first lot purchased in the new town was by Dr. James Barrett, who immediately improved it by erecting thereon a small dwelling. This was a small log structure, and stood on the corner of Main and Howard streets, near the spot occupied by the store building of Templin k Powell. The second building was a log storehouse erected by L. W. Bacon, on the northeast corner of Main and Meridian streets. Shortly after the village was laid out. Bacon stocked his storeroom with a miscellaneous assortment of merchandise to the amount of about ^1,000, and sold goods for two years. A second store building was erected some time later on the southwest corner of Main and Meridian streets, where the Star Hotel now stands, by C. 0. Fry, who was one of the early merchants of the village. Dr. Barrett purchased an interest in Fry's store, and together they continued in business for several years.

In the year 1852, Joel Stephenson built a storeroom on the northeast corner of Main and Meridian streets, in which he sold goods for about three years, when he disposed of his stock' to Lytle & Winslow. This firm was afterward changed to Lowder & Winslow. An early firm was Vankirk & Winslow, who did business in the Fry building until the year 1854, with a large stock of goods. C. 0. Fry and R. Gray formed a partnership in the year 1854, and continued in business together until the year 1858, at which time Lindley purchased Fry's interest. Fry & Lindley sold goods about one year, when the entire stock was purchased by William Canady. Among other merchants who have transacted business in the village at different times during its history can be named S. G. Hall, William Walker, Charles Willits and Mr. Goff.

The business of the town at the present time is represented by the following exhibit : Two large dry goods and general stores kept by Cornelius Powell and Walter Templin ; two drug stores by R. Gray, and the firm of Manring & Manring, and one grocery store kept by Lindley & Brother. The first blacksmith who worked at his trade in the village was Crawford Fair; later came "Dick" Dormer, J. S. Woods, B. F. Beeson, Turney D. Hendrickson and Nehemiah Ellis, the last named being the only smith in the town at the present time. The early carpenters were R. H. Stanley, L. F. Springer, 0. Free, J. and W. Stephenson, R. D. Bowman, Charles and Oliver Osborne, Timothy L. Garrigus.

There have been several mills in the village at different times, but to these reference has already been made in a previous page. A planing mill was erected in 1880 by William Jennings, which is in operation at the present time, and doing, a flourishing business. Jay & Dolman erected a large elevator shortly after the completion of the T., D. & St. L. Railway, which is one of the largest grain houses on the line of that road. Many thousand bushels of grain are shipped from this point every year, and this is one of the best market places in the county.

The first physicians who located in Greentown were Drs. L. W. Bacon and James Barrett. Since their departure, the following medical gentlemen have practiced the healing art in the village and surrounding country : John Spell, William J. Morgan, William Scott, R. W. Smith, Dr. Collett, H. Beeson, Dr. Ross, D. S. Caylor, J. H. Stover, James T. Scott, G. B. Scott, William White, Dr. Watson and J. W. C. Eaton. The present physicians are J. T. Scott, who has been practicing in the com-

In the year 1873, after a spirited contest, the village took upon itself the dignity of an incorporated town. The first municipal officers were : R. Gray, Mayor; William Segraves, Marshal; G. W. Rice, Clerk; James T. Scott, Henry Lamb and Hugh Courtney, Councilmen. Ciiief among the several reasons urged in favor of incorporation was the general desire of the citizens to improve the streets, sidewalks, etc., which could not have been accomplished without such a measure. A laughable circumstance is related of the first arrest made after the town organization. The chief party in the transaction was a "drummer" who committed the daring crime of hitching his team to a shade tree. The Marshal, proud of the authority vested in him, very promptly marched the guilty offender before His Honor the Mayor, who soon ascertained that no ordinance had as j^et been passed providing punishment for such misdemeanors. Here was a dilemma. What should be done? Should the culprit be liberated to make a lauo'hino'-stock of the town which had a citv organization with no ordinances to govern it ? No ! such an idea could not be entertained for a moment. At this critical juncture, a happy thought struck the Mayor which suggested a way out of the difficulty, and at the same time enabled him to preserve the dignity of his court. Excusing himself for a short time, he went out on the street and got a bystander to go and advise the prisoner to " skip." The man discharged his errand and the commercial tourist "skipped " accordingly. The town officers at the present time are G. W. Price, Justice of the Peace and Mayor ; Joel Lindley, Marshal ; Willard Woods, Clerk ; Henry Thrasher, Treasurer ; Charles Fifer, President of the Board of Councilmen; John Woolen, Henry Lindley and Henry Thrasher, Councilmen.

The Masonic fraternity and Odd Fellows both have good lodges in the village. Greentown Lodjje, No. 341, A., F. & A. M., was organized May, 1867, with a considerable membership. The first officers were Ezra Gallion, W. M.; Joseph H. Woolen, S. W., and Theodore F. Hazzard, J. W. The officers in charge at the present time are Amos Powell, W. M.; H. C. Lamb, S. W.; William Elliott, J. W.; A. A. Covalt, Sec, and William Wooters, Treas. Meetings are held in the hall, which belongs to the organization. Present membership, about thirty-three. A former lodge liad been in existence a number of years before the one referred to, but no particulars concerning it have been learned.

Greentown Lodge, No. 328, I. 0. 0. F., was instituted May, 1869, with eight charter members, whose names appear as follows : Milton Garrigus, Jonathan Covalt, William T. Manring, Austin S. Freeman, J. S. Summers, W. M. Simms, Amos A. Covalt and Henry H. Ray. The first officers were W. T. Manring, N. G.; Milton Garrigus, V. G.; A. A. Covalt, Sec, and John Summers, Treas. Meetings were held in the Stephenson Hall until the year 1881, when the lodge erected a hall of its own, over the storeroom of Cornelius Powell, on Meridian street. This hall is large, well finished, and represents a capital of $1,100, The present membership is about twenty-seven, and the lodge is reported in good working order. The following comprises the present list of officers: William Wooters, N. G.; Charles Wooters, V. G.; J. T. Scott, Sec, J. H. Hinkle, Treas.; N. D. Stanbraugh, Warden; A. J. Griffin, Conductor; John Pearce, I. G.; A. A. Covalt, R. S. N. G.; B. Hall, L. S. N. G.

The present population of the town is 550. Its growth since the completion of the T., D. k St. L. Railway, which gave the business interests of the place new impetus, has been steady and substantial, and its future outlook is very encouraging.

Village Of Plevna

Plevna is a small village, situated about four miles and a half northwest of Greentown, in Section 9. It is but a mere hamlet, containing two general stores, a blacksmith shop, post office, and about nine or ten residences. There is one physician in the village, Dr. Miller, who has

The first school in Liberty was taught by Miss Lillis Cook in a diminutive log shanty which stood about one and one-half miles northwest of Greentown, on the claim of William Cox, who erected it. It was used by Cox as a residence for several years, but was afterward abandoned. The neighbors fitted it up for school purposes, and it was in use only during the one term. The date of the school was the winter of 1848 - 49. The first schools were supported by subscription, and generally lasted about three months. Among the early pedagogues of the township were L. F. Springer, P. F. Peters, Milton Garrigus, George Hazzard, R. Gray, B. Moon, H. Deyo, Luther Gray, John Power, William Styer, 0. Free and Alexander Hopkins. The township was supplied with public schools in 1853, at which time the school land was sold, and the citizens taxed for educational purposes. The first public schoolhouse in the township was a hewed-log structure, which stood a short distance east of Greentown. It was in use for a number of years, and answered the twofold purpose of school and meetinghouse. There are at the present time nine good, substantial buildings in the township in which schools are taught from five to seven months in the year. Five of these houses are frame and four brick; the Greentown Public School building is the finest structure in the county outside of Kokomo, and cost about $3,000. It has four rooms, all of which are well finished and furnished. It stands in the southern part of the village, and is an ornament to the town and township. The village schools at the present time are under the efficient management of Prof. L. M. Herrington, Principal; Charlton Bull, teacher of the intermediate ; and Miss Amanda Turner, who has charge of the primary department. The other teachers in the township are Belle Wooters, Cora Powell, 0. P. Kemp, W. 0. Nelson, D. C. Peters, D. W. Garrison, W. B. Woods and W. D. Hamer. The amount of money expended for tuition for the school year of 1882-83 was $2,565.76.

Several healthy religious organizations, with as many substantial temples, are the most convincing evidence of the existence of high moral principles and a sense of religious duty on the part of the citizens of Liberty. Many of the early settlers were members of different denominations, and public services were held from house to house for several years. At those early meetings all met on a common level, and left their sectarian peculiarities at home. Among the early preachers were John Evans and Benjamin Cobb, ministers of the Baptist Church, who conducted public worship at the residences of Thomas Golding, Benjamin Woods and Benjamin Young. A flourishing society of this church was organized in an early day, and was kept up with good success until about the year 1850. Another early preacher was Rev. Jacob H. Stover, of the U. B. Church, who preached at different places throughout the township as early as the year 1848. Thn New Salem, or Friends' Church, was organized in the spring of 1848, at the cabin of George Lamb. In the following summer, the place of meeting was changed to John Healton's residence, which served as a meeting place until the fall of 1848, when a hewed-log building, 24x24 feet, was erected. In the construction of this house of worship but little money was used, the work being done gratuitously by the members and neighbors. In a few years, this building proved much too small for the increasing congregation, and another building of the same size was built, adjoining the first, by means of which a large audience room, 24x48 feet, was secured. The original society consisted of fifteen families, whose names appear as follows : Absalom Lamb, Isaac Ratcliffe, Naaman Colyer, John Rich, William Rich, Richard Hodson, Zachariah Hodson, Nathan Hodson, Nathan Freeman, Sr., Nathan Freeman, Jr.; also the single members, Moses L. Rich, Benjamin F. Lamb, Mrs. Abigail Flockett and Rachel Carr. The total membership, young and old, was seventy-five. The society continued to worship in the log structure until the year 1874, at which time the present commodious brick house was finished. It was commenced in the fall of 1873, and completed the fol- lowing year, and cost |?1,827. The present membership is 112. During the greater part of the first twenty years the church was without any regular pastors, the pulpit being supplied at intervals by different ministers. Of late, Amos Kenworthy, William Healton and Milton Cox have preached for the congregation.

It is impossible to give anything like a complete history of the Methodist Church of Greentown, because, as one of its members states, Methodism sets little value on the formalities of organization. Its methods are simple ; those who desire a home in her communion are enrolled as a class, and some one of the number appointed leader. No official minutes of the transactions are kept or recorded except incidentally on the class books. The Greentown class was organized about the year 1848, and held its meetings at private residences until the schoolhouse in the village was built, which was used as a place of worship for a number of years. The place of meeting was afterward changed to the Stephenson building, which served the congregation until the present house of worship was erected in 1854. Among the first members of this class were Charles 0. Fry and wife, Joel Stephenson and wife, Luther Segraves and wife, Tarver Segraves and wife, Mrs. Jones, Lemuel Gray and wife and Reason Summers and wife. Luther Segraves was the first class reader. Amons: the pastors and stated supplies of the church since its organization were Revs. M. S. Morrison, Jacob Colclazer, Forbes, Rhodes, Marks, Garrell, lloback, Templin, Shackleford, Miller, McElwee, Peck, Curry, J. W. Miller, Lewellen, Watkins, Harrison, Beamer, Baker, Fish, John McElwee, and Mr. Wilcox, the present incumbent. The house of worship was erected in the year 1854, on ground donated by C. 0. Fry. It is a frame structure, 34x50 feet, and cost the sum of $1,200. It has been frequently remodeled and at the present time has a very commodious audience room, capable of seating about 300 persons. The present officers of the church are Jesse Ware, Cornelius Powell, W. A. Powell, A. Willits and J. T. Scott, trustees, and N. D. Stanbrough and W. 0. Nelson, class leaders. There are at this time seventy-five active members. A large, flourishing Sunday school is maintained throughout the year, Avith an average attendance of about ninety scholars. It is at the present time under the efficient superintendency of Dr. James T. Scott.

*The Greentown class of the church of the United Bretiiren in Christ was organized August, 1856, by Rev. Cyrus Smith, preacher in charge- At the first meeting, the following named persons were enrolled as original members : George H. Snow and wife, L. S. Gray and wife, Sophia Osborne, Naomi Stanley and Susannah Woods. Dufing the ensuing conference year, the society increased to about forty members, which has been about the average number from year to year. At present there are about fifty names enrolled on the class book, including seekers under the watch care of the church. For a series of years, the Methodist and United Brethren labored together in sustaining a Sabbath school on union principles, each church reporting its interest therein. The following is a list of the ministers who have at different times served as pastors of this charge : Revs. Cyrus Smith, B. F. Morgan, J. S. Wall, J. Rutherford, J. Stanley, B. R. B. Holcomb, William Hall, Eli Hoover, R. B. Beaty, M. Gronendyke, A. P. Stout, S. Bias, W. E. Mosier, J. Y. Demunbrun, A. Rector, S. Huff and Irvin Cox. The pastor in charge at the present time is Rev. C. Smith. Meetings are held in the Methodist Church.

The Christian Church of Greentown was organized in the year 1868 by Elders James Comer and John L. Puckett, with an organized membership of about thirty. The village schoolhouse was used by the congregation as a meeting place for one year, when the organization was moved to the wagon shop belonging to Elder Puckett. This building was used about eighteen months, when steps were taken to provide a more commodious place of worship for the constantly increasing audiences. A building committee was appointed to purchase ground and draw up specifications for a house of worship. T. Segraves, Daniel Carr, Hardy Johnson, Henry Pickett and Riley Lindley composed the committee. An eligible site in the eastern part of the village, on Main street, was purchased of Jonathan Covalt, and work on the building commenced at once. The house was completed in 1872, and represents a capital of about ^1,800. Its dimensions are 40x55 feet, the audience room being sufficiently large to accommodate 450 persons. The first regular pastor of the church was Elder John L. Puckett, who preached very acceptably for three years. He was succeeded by Abraham Culbertson who exercised pastoral control one year, and was in turn followed by Elder John R. Kob, who remained the same length of time. Elder D. W. Fowler was the next pastor ; he ministered to the society one year, and was succeeded by Elder William Winegardner, who supplied the pulpit two years. The present pastor is Elder L. Ryker, who is in his first year's labor. The membership of this church is constantly increasing, and the congregations and Sunday school rank with the first in the township. There are at the present time the names of 135 communicants on the church book. Mary Johnson is Superintendent of the Sunday school, which is maintained throughout the entire year.

The Missionary Baptists organized a society at Greentown in the year 1851, which was kept up about five years. Among the preachers during that time were Revs. Henry Cobb, Simeon Mugg and William Golding. They used the schoolhouse for a place of worship, and at one

A society of the Christian Church was organized at an early day at the Lindley Schoolhouse, a short distance northwest of Greentown. The organization became very strong during the first five years of its history, but from various causes was finally abandoned.

A Wesleyan Methodist class was organized at the same place, also with a good membership. It was kept up for several years and numbered among its members many of the best citizens of the community. It ceased to exist a number of years ago.

The United Brethren have a flourishing class in the northern part of the township, which meet for worship at the schoolhouse in District No. 4. It was organized in 1882, and at the present time numbers about forty members. Rev. Cyrus Smith is pastor.

The Wesleyan Methodists have a society in the northeast corner of the township, with a membership of about twenty. Murphy's Schoolhouse in District No. 1 serves the congregation as a place of worship.

CALVIN C. ARMFIELD, one of the leading farmers of Liberty Township, was born in Guilford County, N. C, February 14, 1821, and is the son of Solomon and Thankful (Cimmons) Armfield. C. C. Armfield was reared on a farm, and received the benefit of a common school education. His father died when he was only ten years of age, and he worked on the farm until he was nineteen, when he bejjan to depend on himself. la 1848, he moved to Henry County, Ind., where he rented land until the fall of 18"38, at which time he removed to Howard County, locating in Liberty Township. Here he purchased forty acres, which he cultivated and improved until 1880, when he located on his present place. Mr. Armfield was married, November 30, 181t), to Penninah Albirtireson, of North Carolina. They had six children, four of whom are living - Joseph W., Henry H., Martha E. and John C. Mrs. Armfield died in 1880, and the same year Mr. Armfield was married to Mrs. Cintha E. (Fulwider) Gibson, of Howard County. She was born in Decatur July 20, 1844, and is the daughter of William and Judith (Miller) Fulwider, natives of Virginia and North Carolina, and of German descent. Mr. Armfield and wife are members of the Christian Church. Mrs. Armfield has one child by her first husband - Ira E. Gibson. His father, Samuel M. Gibson, was an early settler in this county and a successful farmer. Mr. Armfield is a member of the Republican party.

DR. L. A. BAGWELL, a native of Howard County, born August 26, 185G, is the son of John W. and Mary (Ware) 'Bagwell, both natives of this State. His father was a lawyer and teMcher, and died in the prime of life. Dr. Bagwell was left an orphan when but a small boy, and lived with his grandfather Bagwell until he was thirteen, when he began to work out on farms in the summer, saving his earnings that he might attend school in the winter. He studied medicine two years with the Scott Bros., and after this bought such books as he could afford. He read and studied alone until the fall of 1881, when he entered the Fort Wayne Medical College and graduated with honors the following spring. He then located at Green town, and began the practice of medicine in the vicinity where he has lived for thirteen years. He has been quite successful, working up a good practice in the best families of his township. Mr. Bagwell was married, January 26, 1877, to Miss Mary Ooty Thrasher, of Howard County ; four children blessed this union - Zalla, Myrtle, Mary Pearl and Willie. Mr. Bagwell is a member of the Christian Church, and an active worker in the Republican party. He is one of the School Trustees of the township, and has been Councilman two terms. He is a truly self-made man, has educated himself, and by industry has obtained a good home.

DANIEL BARRETT is the son of Jesse and Margaret (Curry) Barrett, natives of West Virginia and Pennsylvania, both of English descent. His father located in Highland County, Ohio, in 1805, and was surveyor of that county for twenty-one years. He came to this county in 1851, locating in Liberty Township, where he remained until his death. The subject of this sketch was born September 12, 1828, in Highland County, Ohio, where he remained until he was twenty-eight years of age. He spent his youth working on the farm, and received a good common school education. He came to this county with his parents in 1851, and received a farm of forty acres. He has since added to this, until now he has 290 acres of the best land in the county, with all the modern improvements. He is an energetic, wide-awake farmer, and has accumulated his property through his own efforts. He was married, September 22, 1847, to Miss Hannah Chandler, daughter of Eli and Mary (Horner) Chandler, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German and English descent. Four children crowned this union - William C, John C. (deceased), Roseann Williams and Mary E. Manring. Mr. Barrett cast his first vote with the Whig parly, but has since voted the Republican ticket. In the fall of 1878, he was elected County Commissioner and served in that capacity three years. He is one of the party's most active workers and he and wife are identified with the Society of Friends.

SAMUEL F. BRANNEN was born in Bartholomew County, Ind., October 26, 1842, and was the fourth of twelve children born to Thomas and Elizabeth (Fulwider) Brannen, natives of Virginia. Thomas Brannen located in Wabash County, Ind., in an early day, there married, and reared a family of twelve children, after which his wife died. In 1830, he located in Bartholomew County, where he again married. The result of this union was twelve children. Mr. Brannen died in Bartholomew County in 1859, at the age of eighty-seven. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and participated in the battle at Waterloo, and Horse Shoe Bend. He was a Jackson Democrat, and of the Presbyterian faith ; his widow is still living, aged seventy-three, a member of the Christian Church. Samuel F. Brannen, being born of poor parents, attended but one winter term of school, but worked at home and helped to take care of the family. He worked out for a time and gave his wages for the family's support. April 27, 1861, he enlisted in the three months' service, but the quota was filled ere he was mustered, consequently he returned home. The following September he enlisted in the three years' service, in Company G, Sixth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. This company was part of the Third Division of the Fourteenth Army Corps of the Cumberland. They engaged in the battle at Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Decatur, Ala., Stone River and Chickamauga. After this, he was commissioned First Corporal in reward for capturing seven rebels. He participated in battle at Mission Ridge, after which he joined Burnside, at Knoxville, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. May 15, 1864, in the battle of Resaca, a shot entered his left thigh and broke the bone. This was done on a charge, and after he fell, he reloaded his gun and shot the color bearer, after which he retreated on one foot. The following September he joined his regiment at Indianapolis, and was honorably discharged, after serving three yeai's and four months. He returned home, and was married, March 12, 1865, to Louisiana Fowler, of Bartholomew County, born September 28, 1843. They have had eight children, six of whom are living - Ulysses S., Carrie M., Erastus S., John Perry, Stella F., and Ellis. Mr. Brannen located in Liberty Township, Howard County, in 1865, renting land a few years, after which he purchased a small tract of land, and four years later he located in Greentown. After living here four years, he purchased his present home of sixty acres, which he has well improved with good fences. He has followed butchering for years, and has slaughtered about 4,000 cattle. He has through labor and economy made a good home, and at present owns 102 acres of land. He served for two years as Supervisor, and one year as Constable. He and wife are members of the New Light Church, and he is a Republican in politics and a member of the I. 0. 0. F.

CHARLTON BULL is a native of Greene County, Ohio. He was born in 1847, and was reared on a farm. He remained at home until 1861, when he attended school for three years at the Xenia (Ohio) Academy. After leaving school, he enlisted in the Sixtieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged at Camp Chase, Ohio, in 1864. After he came home, he again attended school at Xenia, Ohio, and the following spring commenced work in a photograph gallery, continuing in this business until the summer of 1865, when he came to Howard County and worked in a saw mill, and in 1866 began teaching school. He commenced reading law in 1871, and was admitted to the bar in 1879. He is at present engaged in school teaching in the Greentown graded schools. Mr. Bull was married in 1869 to Miss Mary E. Zerbe, of Howard County. They have had four children, two of whom are living - Nina E. and William S. Mr. Bull also attends to the practice of his profession, being at this time the only attorney in Greentown. He is one of the rising young men of Howard County.

AMOS A. COVALT, a physician of Greentown, was a son of Jonathan and Rachel (Fritts) Covalt, of German and Irish descent. He was born in Brown County, Ohio, May 6, 1846, and was reared on a farm. In 1863, he enlisted in the Thirteenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Cavalry, Company G, as a private. He served until the close of the war, and was mustered out in 1865, by special order. He became disabled in November, 1864, but remained at his post of duty until he was discharged. He was in the battle of Nashville, the siege of Mobile, and also Decatur. His parents moved to Grant County, Ind., in 1856, and cleared a farm of 120 acres. Mr. Covalt commenced the study of medicine in 1866, reading with J. T. Scott, and graduated in 1869 at Rush Medical College of Chicago. The following spring, he commenced practice at Greentown, where he has remained ever since. He now has as large a practice as any physician in the village. Mr. Covalt is a member in good standing of the I. 0. 0. F. and Masonic fraternity. He was married, in 1^69, to Miss Mary A. Markland, a native of Ohio. They have had three children, two of whom are living - Raleigh W. and Leila B. Mr. Covalt has always been a friend to education, and has been a member of the School Board for two terms. He has always voted the Republican ticket, and takes an active part in politics. He now owns seventy acres of good farm land in Liberty Township.

ABRAHAM E. CURLEE was born in Jefferson County, Ky., October 21, 1841, and was the third of eight children born to Samuel M. and Susan S. (Little) Curlee, of French and German descent. S. M. Curlee was reared in South Carolina, and when grown came to Kentucky, where he was married and lived until 1849, when he removed to Indiana, locating on a rented farm in Johnson County. In the fall of 1857, thej removed to Jasper County, where they lived two years and a half, after which they located in this county, again renting land. October 18, 1863, Mr. Curlee died, a member of the Whig party and of the Christian Church. His wife is now living with her son, Abraham Curlee, and is sixty-three years of age. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, receiving a limited education. In August, 18(32, he enlisted in Company K, Sixty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as a private. His first duty was guarding a railroad in Kentucky, and later he was under Gen. Sherman's command. His first engagement was at Resaca, after which he marched on with Sherman to Atlanta, participating in many hard-fought battles; later engaged in the battle at Columbia and the siege of Nashville. They followed Hood to the Tennessee River, at which place they took boat for Cincinnati, thence by rail to Alexandria, Ala., thence by sea to the mouth of Cape Fear River. Later they assisted in taking Anderson and Fort Wilmington, N. C, after which they were marched south, and at Goldsboro, N. C, Gen. Thomas and Gen. Sherman met, and moved on to Raleigh, where Johnston surrendered. He was also in the battles of Kenesaw Mountain, Jonesboro, Cassville, Lost Mountain, Town Creek, Chattahoochie, Buzzard Roost and Wilmington. Mr. Curlee, with his regiment, was sent to Indianapolis, and honorably discharged July 3, 1865. He farmed after the war, in Howard County, on rented land, until 1875, when he purchased his present farm of fifty-six acres, which includes the mill property known as the Dorman Mill. He has had charge of the mill ever since, and his property is valued at $6,000. He was married, October 1, 1873, to Miss Margaret Rich, born in Rush County, Ind., April 5, 1850. She is the daughter of Davis and Margaret Rich. Three children have blessed this union - Eliza (deceased), Edna and Emmor R. Mr. and Mrs. Curlee are members of the Christian Church, and Mr. Curlee is a member of the L 0. 0. F.

C. M. FIFER is a native of Monroe County, W. Va., and was born May 4, 1821. His parents, John and Mary (Tacket) Fifer, were natives of Monroe County, Va. John Fifer came West to Middletown, Henry County, Ind., in 1830. The subject of this sketch, in the year 1847, became a soldier in the Mexican war, and was discharged in August, 1848. He was Orderly Sergeant of Company H, Fifth Indiana Regiment, the Colonel of the regiment being James H. Lane. Mr. Fifer was married, in 1850, to Matilda Robey, in Henry County, Ind. She died November 20, 1880, leaving three children - Mary E.^ William R. and Alice M,, all of whom are living in Greentown. Mr. F. came to Howard County in October, 1850, and entered eightv acres of land in Union Township, and lived there seven years, when he moved into Jackson Township; taught school seven years ; he was one among the first teachers of Howard County. Since then, he has been a resident of Liberty Township most of the time, his principal occupations being fiu-ming and mercantile trade. In 1870, he had a severe attack of typhoid fever, whicli left him with a crippled hand ; he has been an industrious man, and has done much in building up the county. In 1882, he was elected Township Trustee on the Democratic ticket in a strongly Republican township ; he had a majority of sixty-seven and ran 117 ahead of his ticket. Mr. Fifer has, for twenty years, been a member of the old denomination of the Christian Church. Mr. Fifer has one brother in Henry County, Rev. E. Fifer, who is a member of the Christian Church, and has been preaching for the last forty years. Mr. Fifer is now living a retired life in Greentown.

JONATHAN FISHER was born in Bedford County, Penn., June 7, 1815, and is the youngest of three children born to John and Hannah (Berriner) Fisher. John Fisher was born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, and was one of the Hessian soldiers under the British Government; he was under Gen. Cornwallis, and was taken prisoner by Gen. AVashington in the Revolutionary war. When he was set free, he located in Bedford County, Penn., and there twice married, reared a family of fifteen children and spent the remainder of his life. Our subject was reared upon the farm, and having lost his father when he was quite young, he removed with his mother to Henry County, Ind., in 1832, remaining about two years at home with his step-father, Jacob Houser; he then worked as an apprentice at the carpenter's trade for two years, when he began to take contracts for himself. A few years later, he moved into Delaware County, and was there married, August 11, 1836, to Miss Rachel Howell, a native of Wayne County. They have had ten children, seven of whom are living - Calvin, Mary A., William, Louisa, Marilla, Eli C. and Susan I. Mr. Fisher located in Howard County, Ind., November 6, 1846, and in the spring of 1849 he went on foot to Ft. Wayne to enter eighty acres of land which he had preempted. He was among the large hunters, and' the first year lived on the profits of hunting; he killed in all 125 deer, and as soon as he could get work at his trade, abandoned hunting and worked until his health failed. Mr. Fisher enlisted. May 24, 1861, in Company A, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in at Indianapolis. He marched South to Duck River Bridge, in Tennessee, where he was on guard duty five months, when he was honorably discharged. Mrs. Fisher died April 8, 1878, and Mr. Fisher was shortly after married to his present wife, Mrs. Margaret (Weimer) Jones. Three children bless this union - Jonathan,

Stella and Frederick D. Mr. Fisher and wife are members of the New Light Church ; he cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Harrison, in 1836, and has voted with the Republican party of late years; he has been Justice of the Peace in Liberty ToAvnship on term, Constable three terms, and Supervisor one year. Mr. Fisher has resided in Greentown for a number of years, and is one of the oldest settlers of Liberty Township.

A. B. FOREMAN was born in Fayette County, Ind., August 28, 1828, and was the son of Harrison and Mary (Sanders) Foreman, natives of Virginia, and of German and English descent. They were pioneers of Fayette County, and in 1838 located in Henry County on a farm. Mrs. Foreman here died in 1842, and Mr. Foreman was married to Ann Woollen, of Henry County. In 1854, he moved to this county, where he lived a farmer until his death in 1868. His wife still resides on the home farm. Our subject worked on the farm and attended school until he was twenty-one, when he rented the home farm, and September 20, 1849, was married to Elizabeth Woollen, who was born in Henry County, Ind., March 9, 1832, and was the daughter of William and Amelia Woollen. They have had ten children, two of whom are living - William H., a farmer in Nuckolls County, Neb., and Louisa A., wife of William Powell, a Howard County farmer. Mr. Foreman came to this county in 1854, and soon purchased forty acres of unimproved land, and two years later bought his present home of eighty acres, which he has cultivated and improved, and upon which he has erected good frame buildings. Mr. Foreman enlisted in 1864, in Company I, One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as a private ; his company was in the siege of Nashville, and later did a great amount of skirmishing. On July, 1865, he was honorably discharged, when he returned home and took up farming. Mr. Foreman is an active member of the Republican party, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; he has been a liberal supporter of all public enterprises, and benevolent purposes, and is a worthy citizen of the community in which he lives.

NATHAN FREEMAN was born in Randolph County, Ind., August 17, 1828, and is the son of Nathan and Mary (Buckingham) Freeman, both natives of North Carolina and of English descent. Nathan Freeman was reared on a farm and received the benefits of a common school education. When he was twenty years of age, he moved with his parents to Howard County ; he bought of his father eighty acres in Union Township, November, 1850, for the sum of ^1,000. They lived upon that six years, and in the fall of 1858 they purchased their present home, then containing sixty-seven and one-half acres. On this was situated the first frame dwelling built in this section of the county. In the year 1882, they moved into a fine large frame dwelling, built the same year. Mr. Freeman was among the first settlers of this county, coming here when the deer, bear, turkey and wild hog were among the wild game. Mr. F. is an active worker in the Republican ranks, and has held the office of School Director ; he is a prominent society man and a leader in the Society of Friends. He was married, April 15, 1852, to Miss Anna Rich, born in Randolph County, N. C, May 8, 1831, and daughter of William and Sarah (Elliott) Rich, both natives of North Carolina. Ten children have blessed this union, eight of whom are living - Sarah, Joshua B., Obadiah, Daniel, William A., Elizabeth, Nathan T. and Anna M. Mr. Freeman and family are members of the Society of Friends. Mrs. Freeman taught the first school south of Wild Cat in this part of the county, and three of her children have made a success of the teacher's profession.

J. W. GOLDING, of the firm of Howell & Golding, was born in Howard County December 31, 1851, and is the son of David and Susana (Howell) Golding, both natives of Indiana ; his parents came to this county while they were young, and were here married, February 12, 1850. They were numbered among the pioneers of this county, and here lived a farmer's life, except four years, v»hich were spent in Wisconsin. David Golding entered forty acres of land, which he improved ; he also had an interest in a saw mill for five years, and later in life gave his entire attention to farming; he was a Republican in principle, and was a liberal supporter of all benevolent purposes. He was a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and was a worthy citizen and representative man. He died December 19, 1877, and his wife yet survives and now lives with the subject of this sketch. J. W. Golding received a good education, and at the age of twenty began teaching ; he taught five terms, and during the intervals worked at the carpenter's trade. After the death of his father, he engaged in the manufacture of tile in company with James Groves. This partnership existed until August, 1880, when M. G. Howell became successor to J. Groves, and the business has been increased so that it stands second in the list of tile manufacturers of Howard County. Mr. Golding is an active worker in the Republican ranks, and is a member of the Central Committee ; he is also a member of the United Brethren Church.

LUTHER S. GRAY, ex-County Auditor, is a native of Warren County, Ohio, and was born in 1824, His parents, Lemuel and Mary (Roberts) Gray, natives of New Jersey, were early settlers of Ohio, coming to that State in 1809. His grandfather, Daniel Gray, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He was a strong, healthy man, never having a spell of sickness in his life, and lived to the good old age of ninety-five.

He always lived an examplary Christian life, and although not united with any church, he always held family worship. His last words were that he had lived a good many years, and the future had nothing but peace for him. Luther S. Gray came to Howard Count}' in 1852, locating in Greentown, where he worked at his trade until 1866, when he discontinued that business on account of his health. In 1849, he was married to Miss Rebecca Oxley, of Wayne County, Ind. The result of this union has been fifteen children, eight of whom are living - Jessie L., Luther 0.. Julia E., William R., John H., Marietta R., Warren E. and Clara B. In 1867, Mr. Gray was elected County Auditor, and in the fall of 1870 was re-elected. He served seven years, having resigned before his terra expired, on account of ill health. He has held the office of Township Trustee for six years, and four years has been Clerk of the Township, having no opposition. These offices have been given him without any solicitation on his part. When he was sixteen years old, he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, but four and a half years later he withdrew and united with the United Brethren Church. His reasons for the change were his views of baptism and the anti-slavery question. His wife is also a member of this church. Mr. Gray has been in poor health for a number of years, and has retired from business. He is a highly respected citizen, and a man of Christian principles and integrity.

ANDREW J. GRIFFIN, born in North Carolina, February 16, 1837, is the son of William and Mary (Perry) Griffin, natives of North Carolina There his mother died, and in 1850 his father located in Henry County, Ind., on a farm, where he died a few years later. Andrew J. Griffin worked on the farm and went to school until his father's death, and at the age of seventeen began to work for wages. August 11, 1862, he was mustered into service at Indianapolis, in the Thirteenth Armv Corps, Company I, Sixty-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as a private. His regiment participated in the following hard-fought battles : Richmond, Chickasaw Bluff, Arkansas Post, Port Gibson, Champion Hill, Black River R. R. Bridge and siege of Vicksburg, where his regiment was ordered to meet Gen. Johnston at Black River. After the siege, his regiment joined the main army, and drove Gen. Johnston into Jackson, where after three days' fight he evacuated Jackson in the night, and the Thirteenth Corps returned to Vicksburg, thence to Carrollton, La. Subsequently they went to Indianola, after which they joined Gen. Banks, on Red River ; later, they were on detailed duty for four weeks to keep open the Mississippi River. They engaged in the siege of Mobile Bay, after which they captured the city on a charge. After visiting a num ber of places, they returned to Mobile, where they were discharged July 5, 1865. Mr. Griffin was promoted as First Corporal in March, 1863, and the following April, was promoted as Fourth Sergeant, and Second Sergeant when ho was raustereil out. lie returned home to Henry County, where he worked on the farm until August, 18G6, when he took a contract to build a turnpike of one mile. January 1, 1867, he purchased a druof and grocery store in Greentown, and soon added boots and shoes and notions, carrying a stock of $4,000. He was quite successful in business, and May, 1882, he sold out, and now owns a good farm near Kokorao, and one in Clinton County, having accumulated about $1,800 worth of property. Mr. G. was married, in 1868, to Miss Sarah Willits, daughter of James and Rebecca (Lindley) Willits. They have four chil- (iren - Florence A., Oliver Oren, Albert L. and William Franklin. Mr. Griffin is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Masonic fraternity and I. 0. 0. F. He was Post Commander of the G. A. R. He is a worthy citizen, and a liberal supporter of all public enterprises. Mrs. Griffin is a prominent member of the Christian Church.

BRANSON HALL was born in Henry County, Ind., March 4, 1835, and was one of six children born to Stephen and Mariam (Wells) Hall, both of English descent. This family came to Henry County in an early dav« and secured for themselves a home out of the forest. Mrs. Mariam Hall died in 1842, when Mr. Hall married Abigail Bundy, and in 1852 removed with his family to this county, locating at Greentown ; he is now a resident of Marshall County. Branson Hall worked on his father's farm until he arrived at his majority; he then worked out by the month on a farm in Henry County, laboring three years for one man. He was married, January 1, 1860, to Miss Margaret E. Risk, of Henry County. She was a native of Virginia, born October 16, 1834, and was the daughter of John Risk, of English descent. Three children have blessed this union - Charles M. (deceased), Laura (deceased) and John S. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Hall located in this township, where he purchased eighty acres of unimproved land, and afcerward exchanged this for fifty-one acres, with fair improvements. In 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Thirty-sixth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was soon marched into the South, where he was taken sick, and after being out nine months was discharged ; he returned home, and in October, 1863, having regained his health, he agian enlisted, in Company E ; he then went into camp at Camp Carrington, where they were assigned to the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Regiment (Eleventh Indiana Volunteer Cavalry), and participated in the battle at Nashville, after which he joined the Army of the West; he was on guard duty during the remainder of service, and was mustered out at Leavenworth, Kan., August, 1865 ; he received one promotion, from private to Third Sergeant ; he was quite fortunate during service, with the exception of a fall at Nashville, fracturing his arm ; he returned home and began farming on the place where he now lives ; it has ninety-three acres, has good buildings, is well ditched, and is one of the best wheat farms in the township. Mr. Hall is a publicspirited man, and has served as Township Assessor three terms. In the spring of 1882, he was elected Road Superintendent by the Republican party ; he stands prominent in the Masonic fraternity and I. 0. 0. F., and he and wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

L. M. HERRlNGTONwasbornatMapletown, Greene Co., Penn., July 22, 1857, of Scotch-Irish and Dutch parents, lie resided in Mapletown until 1864, when his parents moved into Fayette County, of the same State^ but returned to Greene County in 1867, locating in the village of Davistown ; his parents again removed to Fayette County in 1873, and the father and sons secured labor at the coke works, near Broad Ford, where the subject of this sketch labored until 1877, when, through the advice of John C. Barr, of the Pittsburgh Post, he determined to reenter'school. Accordingly, he attended a graded school in Greene County, Penn., for a period of two years, working during vacation at the works ; he taught school at Broad Ford the winter of 1879-80, refused to teach the succeeding term, and again repaired to the works, where he remained until June, 1880. He was appointed Census Enumerator, and completed the work of his home township. In July. 1880, he went to Valparaiso, Ind., and graduated from the Northern Indiana Normal School in 1881, after which he was employed in Chicago, in the clothing trade for James Wilde, Jr., & Co., and H. Hart & Bro. In November, 1881, he came to Greentown to accept the Principalship of the schools. Mr. Herrington is an excellent teacher and worthy citizen ; is well liked by his patrons, and is a credit to the community in which he lives.

TENSE HOWELL was born in Delaware County, Ind., September 24, 1828, and was the son of John and Jane (Lindley) Howell, both natives of North Carolina ; his mother died when he was only eight years of age, and he went to live with his grandfather Lindley, in Wayne County, Ind.; he worked on a farm and attended the country schools until he was fifteen years old, when he began working <js an apprentice to the carpenter's trade. This he continued four years, and in the spring of 1818, came to this county and engaged in farm work. The following fall, he entered forty acres of land on which he built a log house ; he improvetl this farm and sold it, afterward buying eighty acres, during the meantime engaging in the saw mill business. In 1869, he sold his eighty-acre farm and purchased his present home of 160 acres, which he has improved, and from which he has cut large quantities of lumber ; he has at intervals run the saw mill, and had the misfortune to have the boiler burst while the mill was in operation. One son was scalded badly?

causing his death, and Mr. Howell was badly burned, but by good care recovered. Mr. Howell started in life a poor boy, but has made for himself and family a good home. He for years made a specialty of hunting coons and mink, which made hira good wages, and he has killed nearly one hundred deer ; he has been an active politician in the Republican ranks ; he was married, October 19, 1848, to Miss Eleanor Golding, of Howard Township, born in Shelby County, Ind., February 16, 1833 ; she was the daughter of Thomas and Sarah Golding, both natives of North Carolina and of English descent. This union was blessed with twelve children - Mary E., Matthew G., Sarah C, Calvin M. (deceased), Viola L., Emma J. (deceased), Ida B., Elnora, William C, Charles R. (deceased), Albertie (deceased), infant (deceased). Mrs. Howell died in 1875, and Mr. Howell, July 15, 1877, was married to Mrs. Maria (Cox) Stanley, who was born in Montgomery County, Ind., in 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Howell are members of the German Baptist Church.

MATTHEW G. HOWELL, of the firm of Howell & Golding,' manufacturers of tile and brick, was born in Howard County, April 14, 1852, and is the son of Tense Howell, of this county ; he lived upon the farm until he was thirteen, when he assisted his father in the saw mill, and being a natural mechanic, he made a success in this business ; he received a limited education, and at the ao;e of nineteen beijan working; for himself. He owned a saw mill for five years, after which he engaged in farming until August, 1880. when he began to manufacture tile in company with Mr. Golding, at a cost of $3,000. The following year they manufactured 115,200 tiles, keeping in their employ two hands eight months per year. Mr. Howell is a hard-working, industrious man, is a stanch supporter of Republican principles, and has held minor offices of his township ; he was married to Miss Lucretia Nation, of Howard County, Ind. She is the daughter of William and Mary J. Nation, natives of Wayne County, Ind., and of English and German descent ; the result of this marriage was four children, two of whom are living - William L. apd Goldie. Mr. and Mrs. Howell are active members of the U. B. Church.

T. C. JACKSON was born in Randolph County, Ind., February 23, 1842, and was the son of Jefferson and Rachel (Bales) Jackson, both of English descent. Jefferson Jackson was a native of North Carolina, and came with his parents to Randolph County, Ind., where he afterward married. In 1843, he removed to Michigan and remained three years; here his wife died, and he then married Miss Rebecca Mann. Eight years after their marriage, she died, leaving one daughter, Rachel, and in 1858 he was married to his present wife, Mrs. Mary (Johns) Toll. Two children bless this union - Martha A. and Jennie. Mr. Jackson removed to Howard County in 1848, locating in Union Township ; here he cleared sixty acres of land, built a log cabin and resided until 1882, when he located in Grrant County ; from 1861 to 1864, he was Captain of the Home Guards ; he is a member of the Republican party, and a member and liberal supporter of the Society of Friends. The subject of this sketch was but a small boy when his father came to Howard County ; he worked on the farm until 1859, when he went into Wisconsin and labored on a farm for $10 per month. At the age of nineteen, he was mustered into the Sixth Battery Light Artillery, of Wisconsin ; he was in the battle at New Madrid, Island No, 10, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Chattanooga, and was with Sherman through to Atlanta; he then returned to Nashville, and participated in the battles at Rome, Franklin and Atlanta; he received one slight scalp wound by a piece of shell at Missionary Ridge ; he re-enlisted, January 1, 1863, at Larkinsville, Ala., and was honorably discharged at Chattanooga July 19, 1865 ; he immediately returned to this county, rented land and began ftirming ; he started in life a poor boy, but through economy and labor he has made a good home of 160 acres, well improved with good buildings ; he is an active member of the Republican party ; he was married in 1865 to Miss Mary J. Ware, daughter of Jesse Ware; she was born August 2, 1847, and is an active member of the Christian Church.

JOHN JOHNSON was born in Henry County, Ind., May 25, 1844, and is the eldest of ten children born to David and Belinda (Davis) Johnson, of English and German descent ; his parents were married in Henry County in 1842, and lived there until 1848, when they located in Howard County ; his father entered forty acres of unimproved land in Liberty Township, erected a cabin, and began to clear away the forest. David Johnson was a poor man, but through hard labor and economy soon had plenty around him. He experienced many of the privations of pioneer life, but acquired a home of 120 acres, with good buildings and improvements ; he was a member of the Republican party, and a supporter of all benevolent purposes ; he died March 5, 1877 ; his wife still survives him, and lives on the home farm. John Johnson remained at home on the farm, acquiring a common school education, until October, 1864, when he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry ; he Avas soon marched to Nashville, where he was on post duty, remaining until the close of the war ; he was discharged July 14, 1865, after which he returned home. March 1. 1866, he was married to Miss Elizabeth H. Covalt, of Brown County, Oliio. She was born in 1844, and is the daughter of Jonathan Covalt. They have had nine children, five of whom are living - Mary M., William A., John F., Pearl and Benjamin. Mr. Johnson is an active member of the Republican party. He has owned three different farms, and in the spring of 1883 located on his present place of forty acres.

WILLIAM JOHNSON was born on the farm where he now lives, September 30. 1848. He lived at home, and received a common-school education, and worked on the farm until he was married, December 19, 1874, to Miss Eliza E. Young, of Howard County. She was born in Franklin County, Ind., August 3, 1855, and was the daughter of Henry and Eleanor (Walker) Young, both natives of England, They emigrated to America in 1841, locating at Philadelphia, where Mr. Young followed brush-making. Thence they moved to Cincinnati, and later located in Franklin County, where Mr. Young still lives, engaged in farming ; he is a member of the Christian Church, and has reared a family of eleven children, nine of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have three children - Joseph N., Dalton and Delmer. twins. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Republican party ; he was elected Township Trustee in the spring of 1880, serving one term, during which time he built one brick schoolhouse.

E. H. JULOW was born in Denmark August 12, 1831, and was the youngest of ten children born to Frederick and Catherine (Langhorst) Julow, both natives of Denmark, and of German descent. Mr. Julow attended the common schools until he was sixteen, when he was bound as an apprentice at shoe-making, and during this period was drafted ; he served one year, and participated in many hard-fought battles. After the war, he finished his trade, and May 15, 1853, left Hamburg, Germany, for America ; he had been drafted in the regular army the previous March, and was expected to report May 30, but he sailed for America before that time: he landed in New York July 14, 1853, and remained one year in the city, working at his trade ; he then worked sixteen months in Indianapolis, after which he came to Howard County, located in Greentown, and engaged in ditching until 1861, when he enlisted in Company D, Thirty-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. This formed a part of the Army of the Cumberland ; he was in battle at Stone River and Chickamauga, on the Rusan raid, on Gen. Kilpatrick's raid, and participated in the engagement at Lovejoy. He was ready to report at roll call, except while on detailed duty. He served ten months as nurse in the General Hospital, No. 2, Nashville, after which he joined his regiment ; he Avas considered a brave and honest soldier, and while on Gen. Buell's retreat, he was requested to carry the physician field case, which was trusted to none but the best of soldiers; he was honorably discharged, and reached home October 1, 1864, when he located on his present place. Mr. Julow is an industrious farmer, and the last nineteen years has given his attention to farming and stockraising ; he started in life a poor boy, but now owns 120 acres of good, improved land ; he is a member of the Republican party, and is a liberal supporter of public and benevolent enterprises. Mr. Julow was married, October 5, 1857, to Miss Anna L. Gordon, a native of Ohio ; she died November 1, 1864, leaving three small children. August 12, 1866, Mr, Julow married Miss Mary Adams, a native of Wayne County, Ind. ; she died August 10, 1868, and Mr. Julow married his present wife, Amelia Snyder, April 25, 1869. She is a native of Germany ; came to America in infancy, and was reared in Columbus, Ohio. The result of this union was seven children, four of whom are living. Mrs. Julow is an active member of the United Brethren Church.

JOSEPH KENNEDY was born in Holmes County, Ohio, August 22, 1826, and is the only son of a family of six children born to David and Magdalena (Troyer) Kennedy, both natives of Pennsylvania, and of Irish and German descent. David Kennedy removed to Ohio in his youth and followed farming ; he took fmm the forest a farm of 160 acres of heavily timbered land, and just as he had plenty around him he died in 1839. His wife lived with her little children on the farm four years, and then removed with her family to Iowa, where, two years later, she died. Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy had always been prominent members of the Amish Church. Our subject remained at home until he was eighteen years of age, and received a limited education. He never studied arithmetic in his life, but has a good practical education ; he worked by the month on the farm in Holmes County, saving from his wages $400, with which he came to this county and entered eighty acres of forest land in the spring of 1849. The following spring he removed to Miami County, where he raised a corn crop, and in December following located on the farm where he now lives, owning 160 acres ; he built a log cabin and began to clear the land. He no.w owns 308 acres of fine land, with good house and barn, and his farm is well drained. Mr. Kennedy was, in early life, a Whig, but later has been a stanch supporter of Republican principles. He was married, January 15, 1850, to Miss Nancy Lantz, of Wayne County, Ohio, born April 3, 1825. They have had seven children - Elizabeth, David, Mary, Jeremiah, John, Joseph (deceased) and Christopher. Mr. Kennedy is a liberal supporter of all public enterprises, and he and wife are members of the Amish Church.