Locke Township (part 1 of 2)

Locke Township

And now, having noticed almost everything in connection with the township except its towns and business interests, we will proceed to devote a few pages in that direction. The town of Locke was laid out in 1867 by George W. Eby, M. II. Morlan and L. B. Winder. It is situated on section 21 of Locke township, two and one-half miles northwest of Nappanee. The first house built in the town was erected on the half-section line, in the center of what is now Main street. The first store in the town was opened by John "Wolfe in 1867; the first saw-mill was built in 1865. The first mail was carried to the town of Locke by Mr. L. B. Winder on April 1, 1869; the first postmaster was J. D. Lake, he having succeeded Solomon Berlin, who was formerl}' postmaster, the postoffice then being located on section 13. Mr. Lake was succeeded by Jacob Heraminger; the next postmaster was Jesse Truex; and after him came S. Lightner,

At one time the village of Locke, although a rural town, seemed destined to become quite a business point; and so it was. Once in its history its business interests were substantially as follows: Three dry-goods stores, one drugstore, one grocery store, one hardware store, one tin shop, one furniture store, two boot and shoe shops, two saw-mills, one shingle-mill, one wagon shop, one steam grist and flouring mill, three blacksmith shops, about forty dwellings, one hotel, one public school-house, one church and three physicians.

But in lSTo-'6, after the town of jSTappanee was laid out, the eyes of a great many of the citizens of Locke were turned toward this new town to watch its probable growth. The town of Nappanee soon began to increase in population and business, and it being a railroad town, seemed likely to become a better business point than Locke; accordingly a great many of the citizens of Locke moved to Nappanee, some of them, indeed, moving their old houses with them. To-day, however, there is considerable business done in Locke, since it is surrounded on all sides by an excellent tract of country) peopled by an industrious class of citizens.

In the town there is one first-class drug store, of which Jacob S. Walters is the proprietor; he is a good business man, is well liked by the people, and is doing a good business for the size of the town. Mr. Walters carries a stock of drugs and groceries, amounting to about $2,500; his annual sales are about $4,000. He engaged in business in 1877.

Then there is a large dry-goods and grocery store, owned by J. & J. Ilartman, and run by John Hartman, an equal partner in the firm. They are enterprising business men, keep on hand a complete and full stock of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, and, in fact, everything in their line. They are doing a good home business, and enjoy a first-class local trade; carry a stock of about $2,000; annual sales about $4,000.

There is also a furniture store in the town run by Henry F. Eby, who carries a small stock. The town can boast of one first-class grist and flouring mill, which is owned by George W. Eby and John Tintsman. and is run by John Tintsman and Martin H. Morlan They are doing a good business and add a great deal to the business interests of the place. This mill was built in 1867 by the Wisler brothers; was purchased by Eby and Tintsman in 1878. Miller &

Kickert are proprietors of a saw-mill, in which they make barrelheads, staves, etc. They ship these to Goshen, "Warsaw, Elkhart and Ligonier, and are doing a good^business. There is also a larcre saw-mill in the town, owned and run by George W. Eby. W. L. Tucker is proprietor of a saw-mill, which was changed from a dwelling-house into a saw-mill in 1879; he makes shingles, staves, table fixtures, bedstead slats, etc.; is doing a good business and ships some to Elkhart and Goshen. Then there is also a mill doino- o-eneral wood work, owned by Smeltzer, Smith & Mellinger.

In May, 1879, Dr. John M. Paxson came to the townsliip and settled in Locke; he enjoys a fair practice of about $2,000 annually. The present business interests of the place may be said to be the following: one dry-goods and grocery store, one furniture store, one boarding-house, two physicians and surgeons, one grist and fionring mill, four saw-mills, one United Bretlieren church, one excellent school-building, one carpenter, one jeweler, two blacksmith shops and 50 to 75 dwelling-houses.

The town of Nappanee, which deserves special mention, is situated partly in this township and partly in Union. However, since a majority of the business houses and of the population are in this township, we hesitate not to make mention of it in connection with the history of Locke township.

The town of iSTappanee was laid out in November, 1874, by John Gulp, Jr., Henry Stahly and Daniel Metzler. It was surveyed by George T. Ager, the County Surveyor at that time. The town is situated in the southwestern part of Elkhart county, on section 36 of Locke township and on section 31 of Union township, on the Baltimore & Oliio railroad. It is 15 miles from Goshen, the countyseat, 17 miles from Elkhart and 10 miles from Milford. The village is surrounded by a tract of land, excellent for farming purposes; however, when the town was first laid out, a great part of the land in the immediate vicinity was covered with timber. But within the last half decade, by the erection of large and numerous saw-mills, a great part of the timber has been sawed up into lumber, the work of improvement, progress and advancement has been going rapidly on, and the town site, which was formerly quite low, has been filled up considerably, so that now the place .makes a very presentable appearance, far better than many of the older and larger towns of the county.

The first building in the place was erected for the Eby Brothers, as a passenger depot, and Henry F. Eby, now of the village of Locke, was the first freight agent. In a short time a postofEce was established, with Dr. J. S. Smith as postmaster. Rickert & Co. started the first store in the broom shop of Daniel Metzler, where Binkley &Co.'s drugstore now stands. In the spring of 1875 Samuel Hartman opened a hotel for the convenience and accommodation of the public. Will F. Peddycord & Co. opened the first drug store; J. C. Bailey, the first dry-goods and grocery store; Mr. Bridenstein, the first boot and shoe shop; C. D. Volkraan, the first blacksmith shop. Joseph Stromh started the first starch- box factory and planing-mill; J. C. Mellinger and Frank Meyers, the first sawmill. All the above-named improvements and business interests followed in rapid succession and in sometliing near the order mentioned.

The name of the town was taken from a town in Canada, and the latter is spelled with only one^; there is still a difference in the spelling of the name here, but the majority spell it with two j^'s.

The first death that occurred in the town was that of an infant son of James D. Lake; this was also the first birth. The first marriage was that of John Coppes and Malinda Stromh, which was solemnized by Will F. Peddycord, Justice of the Peace, in 1878.

But all the above-named improvements were only the beginning of a town which was destined to become something more than a mere railroad station. Numerous other business houses were soon under process of erection, and a great many laboring men flocked to the town to seek employment. In a short time the town began to improve rapidly.

In 1S76 Good & Shrock built a saw-mill and commenced operations immediately; in 1875 F. G. Bryson started a blacksmith shop. In 1876 Dr. J. S. Smith resigned his position as postmaster in favor of John B. Peddycord, who is the present incumbent; during the same year David Gentzhorn opened a saloon. In the year 1877 the firm of Mellinger & Co. was established, being composed of J. C. Mellinger, John Coppes and Frank Coppes, the two latter owning a half interest. It is not necessary to say that all these gentlemen are enterprising business men, for their business indicates it. They are the proprietors of the Union Planing Mill and Starch- box Factory, in which they are doing an immense business for the size of the town, shipping monthly on an average 8,000 starch-boxes to the Excelsior Starch Factory of Elkhart. They also own and run a large saw-mill, and have 180 acres ot timber land; in both departments of their business they employ from 18 to 30 hands.

Mr. Mellinger started a saw-mill here in 1873, even before the town of Nappanee was beg'un, in company with Frank Meyers. They contini;ed as equal partners until 1876, when the former bought the latter out and continued alone until 1877, when he formed the partnership with the Coppes Brothers, already spoken of.

In 1876 Dr. C. H. Schwartz came to the town and located as a practicing physician and surgeon; in the year 1877 Binkley & Co, started a drug store; they still continue. In the same year Wm. J. Charpie commenced buying grain in ISTappanee; and in the year 1878 the tidal wave of business seemed to have come; during that year the following improvements and changes were established; a large clothing store was started by Samuel Meyers, of Goshen ; this store carries a stock of about $8,000; annual sales about $25,000; it is now under the charge of David Friedman; he keeps always on hand a complete stock of clothing and gents' furnishing goods, and is doing a good business. During that year Jacob Hemrainger moved his boot and shoe shop from Locke and established it at ISTappanee. William B. Cowan opened up a large hardware store. Mr. C. is one of the best business men of the place; he carries a stock of $4,000; annual sales amount to about $12,000; he makes his own tin-ware, and has a good I'un of trade. In March, 1878, the Sierer Brothers started a drug store and still continue the same. The firm of Burns & Kreider, manufacturers of the Nappanee Pumps, was established this year, although Mr. B. had been engaged in the same business alone since 1877. During this year Dr. J. K. Julien settled permanently in Nappanee, and Fred. D. Richmond became the genial proprietor of the Nappanee House. Peter C. Stahly established a large and commodious furniture store and jewelry shop; the latter is now under the control of his brother, S. C. Stahly. In 1878 W. F. Urich opened an agricultural wareroom, where he keeps all kinds of farming implements and sewingmachines; he is also an insurance agent, representing the York and Keystone Mutual Life Insurance Companies, of Pennsylvania, both responsible companies. During this year E. P. Brown and George McLaughlin started a saloon, and Joseph M. Bailey commenced to buy grain in Nappanee; the latter is doing a good business, and farmers can always depend upon getting the highest * market price for all kinds of grain; during the year 1879 he bought 51,000 bushels of gi-ain. In the year 1879 Benjamin "Witham opened a blacksmith, wagon and carriage shop and Joseph Stromh opened an agricultural warehouse. Mr. S. is one of the enterprising business men of the town and does an excellent business in his line, keeping on hand a complete stock of agricultural implements in their season. This year Charles Biehl started a harness shop; he is a wide-awake business man, is doing a good business and certainly merits a liberal patronage of the people. During the year 1880 Br. A. A. Ward, a practicing physican and surgeon, settled in j^fappanee, and Dietrich & Co. opened a commodious dry-goods and grocery store.

Thus the reader will observe how, little by little, the village of Nappanee has increased in business and in population. But six years ago here was a tract of low land and timber; now it is covered with a tliriving little village of almost 700 inhabitants, and is the most enterprising little town of its size in Elkhart county Among the business houses thus far unavoidably omitted one deserves special notice. John and Jacob Hartman, under the firm name of Ilartman & Brother, are the proprietors of the largest drygoods store in ISTappanee. They established their business here Oct. 6, 1875, and the store was run by W . G. Flengel until 1877, when Jacob Hartman moved to l^fappanee, and now controls it. The other member of the firm, John Ilartman, is now at Locke, where he conducts a dry -goods store under the firm name of J. & J. Hartman. At ISTappanee the Hartman Brothers have a large and commodious store-room, filled with a large stock of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, queen's- ware, etc. They are doing an immense business, carrying a stock of about $6,000. Their sales for the year 1879 amounted to ^35,000.

And now, by way of recapitulation, we come to notice the present business interests of the place. They are substantially as follows: Two dry-goods and grocery stores, two drug stores, one restaurant and lunch room, one first-class restaurant and grocery, one clothing store, one cigar and stationery store, one hotel, one jewelry store, one furniture store, one furniture manufactory, two saloons, two agricultural warerooms, one harness sliop, two hardware stores, two boot and shoe shops, one butcher shop, one livery stable, two saw-mills, one planing mill and starch-box factory, one mill doing general wood work, such as making lath, shingles, etc., one pump factory, two millinery shops, two barber shops, one church, four doctors, two blacksmith, wagon and carriage shops, < two insurance agents, two collection asjents, two grain merchants, one elevator, one Odd Fellows' lodge, one cornet band, one union scliool-bnilding, and last bnt not least, one weekly newspaper, the

Nappanee News

After the discontinuance of the Wakarusa Sun, at Wakarusa,the Nappanee Neios was started at JSTappanee, sometime in the month of March, 1879, with A. B. Smith as editor and proprietor. Mr. S. continued to publish the paper until Feb. 11, ISSO, when it was purchased by E. D. Stoner and C. H. Whiteman, and published under their management until March li, 1880. At that time W. H. Holdeman purchased Mr. Whiteman' s interest, and the paper was then issued by Holdeman & Stoner until July 25, 1880, when Mr. Holdeman bought out his partner's interest, and from that time until the present the paper has appeared with W. H. Holdeman as editor and proprietor. The paper was formerly a four-page folio, until Mr. II. took charge of it, when it was changed to a iive-column quarto. Sept. 35, 1880, the paper was fitted out with an entire new dress and new type. It is independent in politics, liberal in its views, and always looks to the best interests of the people. The l^aper is published on Thursday of each week, has now a circulation of over 500; the subscription price is only $1.50 a year, and every enterprising business man and farmer in the community would do well to take it, as it is published by an able editor and experienced writer.

Nappanee Schools

The school building at IN^appanee is one of the best in the county It was begun in 1878 and finished in 1879. It is a Union school building, having been built by Union and Locke townships. The school trustees at the time of its erection, were Isaac Wisler, of Locke, and S. H. Smith, of Union. The building is a large and handsome brick structure two-stories high and was built at a cost of about $6,000. It is a graded school, and the patrons of the district have in it about seven months' school annually, and employ two teachei's. At present the schools are conducted by W. H. Holdeman as principal and Miss Florence Stauft'er as assistant. The attendance is quite large, the enrollment for the month of June, 1880, numbering 160.

Odd Fellows Lodge

This organization was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Indiana at the November session, in the year 1879. It was organized hj Special Deputy, A. E. Boyce, of "\Yellsboro. The charter members were: Gabriel Wolf, P. S. Hare, C. H. Whiteman, Christian H. Schwartz and Will F. Feddycord. The lodge is numbered 575; the membership at present is 10.

United Brethren Church

The church building at Nappanee was erected in 1875, and was built by the individual subscriptions of ditferent persons throughout the community. The following are a few of the charter members of the Church organization at tliis place: Jonathan Yarian and wife, Benjamin Yarian and wife, and Joseph Rose and wife. At present the congregation numbers 15 members, as follows: Jonathan Yarian, Joseph Rose and wife, "Wm. Rosenburg and wife, Julia Berlin, F. M. Truex and v/ife, Catharine Rarick, John Ernst, Mrs. Evans, Susan Engle, Alpheus Markne}', George StuU and Nettie Moneyhafer. The first minister of the Church at this place was Rev. John Good. The present one is Rev. E. F. Light. Regular services are held in the church every Sabbath at 10-^ o'clock. There is a union Sunday-school in the church, of which Will F. Peddycord is the present superintendent. v was first organized at the town of Locke, in August, 1876, and was afterward re-organized at Nappanee in IS 73. The leader of the band is xV. C.Miller, of Nappanee. There were 12 charter members when first organized at Locke; it is now composed of 13 regular members, meets i-egularly once a week to practice, and furnishes as good music as any band of its age in the county.

Aiid now we have noticed all the business interests of the town of Nappanee; we have observed how from year to year its citizens have increased in enterprise, and we have seen that the town is only six years old. There are few towns in Northern Indiana that can boast as much as this for its age. It is composed of an enterprising, intelligent, literary class of citizens, who always look to the best interest of their progressive town first and themselves afterward. Situated as it is, in the midst of a beautiful scope of farm- ing land, several miles distant from a large town, it has proven to be an excellent mai-ket for all kinds of grain. It is rapidly increasing in population and improvements, and it is difficult to surmise what is yet in store, at no far distant day, for the citizens of this enterprising, proarressivo village.

Biographical

The rest of the history of this township is in the form of brief biographical notices of its pioneers or prominent residents, most of whom have toiled for many a long and tedious j'ear to make the country the fruitful field it is seen to be to-day.

Joseph M. Bailey^ a grain merchant at Nappanee, was born in Indiana in 1850, of Irish descent, and is the son of Isaac and Sarah C. (Mackey) Bailey, both of whom are living in Walkerton; the former is a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. They came to this county in lSi5, remained here five years, and then removed to Walkerton. The subject of this sketch was married iu 1872 to Caroline Hetzel, who was born in Indiana in 1852, and is the mother of 2 children: Cliffie and Maud. Politically, Mr. B. is a ilepublican. lie commenced buying grain at Nappanee in December, 1878; is buying for Joseph Calbeck, of Cromwell, and is doing a good business, always paying the highest market price for all kinds of grain. During the year 1879 he bought 54,000 bushels.

~B erdinand Beoh, farmer, sec. 23; P. O., Locke; was born in Germany in 1829, came to this country in 1856 and first settled iu Ohio, where he lived about two years and then came to this tp.; he is a son of Jacob and Cathariue Beck. In 1860 he was married to Hanuah Hare, who was born in Pennsylvania in 184:3; she is the mother of 6 children, all of whom are now living: Rinuldon, Yiola, William, Charles, Ella and Otto. Politicall}', Mr. B. is a Democrat. He was educated in Germany, where his school advantages were good; he now reads a great deal, both in English and German. He owns 80 acres of land on sec. 23, worth about $50 per acre. He had no start in life when he began for himself, but has worked hard during the whole time and has succeeded quite well.

Fianna Berlin, farmer, sec. 13; P. 0., Locke; is the daughter of Christian and Anna (Rhodes) Slabaugh, and was born in Pennsylvania in 1824; her parents are both deceased and were natives of Pennsylvania ; her father died in Ohio over 30 years ago and her mother in this county in 1865. Mrs. B. was married in Ohio in 1851 to Solomon Berlin, who was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1827, and died Sept. 22, 1872. He was the son of John and Susanna (Hoffman) Berlin, was a Ilepublican, and a member of the Masonic lodge at "Wakarusa; was also a member of the United Brethren Church. Mrs. B. owns 105 acres of land on sec. 13,

Julia Berlin, daughter of Christian and IsTancy (Ebodes) Slabaugh, both of whom are now deceased, was born in Portage county, Ohio, May 31, 1S33. Her parents were both natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. B., the subject of this sketch, is a member of the United Brethren Church. She was married Sept. 13, 1S51, to Josiah Berlin, who was born in Ohio June 24, 1834. He was the son of John D. and Susanna (Iloifnian) Berlin, and died in Elkhart county March 27, 1864. Politically, he was a Pepublican. Mrs. B. is the mother of 2 children: George L. and Charles E. She is now residing in Nappanee, and owns 76 acres of land in Locke tp., worth about §3,500.

Oyncs Berlin Court, farmer, sec. 26; P. 0., ISTappanee. Mr. B. was born in Switzerland in 1S31; came to America with his mother when only 12 years of age, and settled in Wayne county, Ohio. He is the son of John P. and Lizzie (Parrow) Berlin Coui't. His father died in 1830, and his motlier about 1868; both were natives of Switzerland. Mr. B. came to this county in November, 1853, and settled in this tp., where he still resides. The same year be was married in Wayne county, Ohio, and immediately after bis marriage came West. His wife's maiden name was Anna Haussauer; she was born in AVavne county, Ohio, in 1S29, and is the mother of 11 children, of whom 7 are living: Elizabeth (wife of David Christner, of Lagrange county';; Catherine, Pachel (wife of August Field, also of Lagrange county); Susanna, Sarah, David, and Fannie. He owns 120 acres of land, worth about $45 per acre. Has been an industrious laborer all his life. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members of the Amish Church.

Robert Berry, farmer, sec. 22; P. 0., Locke; he is the son of James and Maiy (Walburn) Berry, and was born in Ohio in 1840. His father died in this tp. in February, 1871; bis mother is still living; both natives of Ohio. They came to this county in September, 1889, and settled in this tp. Mr. B. was married March 10, 1861, to Rebecca Conner, who was born in Ohio June Y, 1840. She is the mother of 8 children, 7 of whom are living: Mary M., Eliza A., Jane, Larona, Nellie, Wesley, and Nora. Politically, Mr. B. is a Democrat; owns 40 acres of land on sec. 22, worth about $1,400.

John G. Blessing, farmer, sec. 25; P. O., Locke; was born in Germany in 1849, and came to America in 1866. He is the son of Christian and Christina (Coppenhaver) Blessing; his father is still living. Mr. B. came to Elkhart county in 1866, and to this tp. in 1875. He was married in this tp. in 1875, to Sarah Blyley, who was born in this tp. in 1845, and is now the mother of 3 children, all of whom are liviug: Huldah, Rosina and Herman. Politically, Mr. B. is a Democrat. He owns 40 acres of land on sec. 24, worth about $40 per acre.

Benjamin douse, farmer, sec. 15; P. 0., Locke. Mr. 0. was born in Pennsylvania in 1827, and is the son of John and Susanna (Snyder) Clouse, both of whom are now dead, and were natives of Pennsylvania. They came to this county about 1850; here they both died. In 1855 Mr. C. was united in marriage with Lydia Finli, who was born in Ohio in 1838; she is the mother of 11 children, of whom 10 are living; William, Chancy, Frank, Rosa, Emanuel, Susanna, Jutchen, Edward, Daniel and Lewis. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the United Brethren Church. Politically, he is a Democrat. He owns SO acres of good farming land, worth about $i5 per acre.

Samuel D. Copjpes, farmer, sec. 12; P. 0., jMappanee; was born in Medina county, Ohio, March 32, ISlri, and is of English-German descent. He is the son of Jacob and Sarah (Fravel) Coppes; the latter is living in Locke tp., and is a native of Pennsylvania; the former, also a native of the same State, died in 1876. They came to this county about 1850, and first settled in Harrison tp. Mr. 0. was married in this county March 12, 1868, to Elizabeth Berlin, who was born in Ohio in 134:2, and they have had 7 children, of whom 5 are now living: Harvey, Frank, Clora, Delia and Lillie. Politically, Mr. C. is a Republican. His educational advantages were not very good, but he is a great reader. He owns 80 acres of land on sec. 12, which he values at about 5^65 per acre. He has been a very hard-working, industrious farmer all his life and had no start when he began for himself.

William B. Coioan, dealer in hardware at !Nappanee, is the son of Joseph and Phebe (^Bird) Cowan, both of whom died in this county, the former in 1873 and the latter in 1870. Mr. C. was born in Clarke county, Ohio, Dec. 30, 1820, and is of Dutch- English-lrish descent. Parents came to this county in 1834 and first settled in Jackson tp. ; there they both lived and died. The subject of this sketch came to Locke tp. in 1878 and engaged in business at jSTappanee. He was married in 1855 to Elizabeth Kirshner, who was born in Ohio in 1826; she is the mother of 5 children, of whom 2 are living: Samuel S. and Phebe J. Mr. and Mrs. C are members of the English Reformed Church. Politically, he is a Democrat. His educational advantages were limited to a few months' school in the winter time; however, he is a self-made man. He owns 303 acres of land in Texas which he has never seen. Mr. C was Justice of the Peace of Jackson tp. for 14 years: he also held the office of Constable in that tp., and is at present School Trustee of Locke tp. He is a good business man and an upriglit and highly respected citizen of the town in which he lives. Mention of his business interests has already been made.

Thomas Earl, farmer and brick-maker, sec. 2; P. O., Wakarusa. Mr. E. was born in England Dec. 29, 1829, and came to America Dec. 3, 1848. He is the son of John and Mary (Mills) Earl. He came to this county in 1853 and remained about 20 months, when he went to New York and from there to Europe. After returning to New York and remaining there for a time, he again (1859) came to this covinty and settled permanently. He was married in 1856 to Mary A. Stevenson, who was born in England in 1833; she is now the mother of 5 children, of whom i are living: Thomas K., Wallace, Evarissa and Edward E. Politically, Mr. E. is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Christian Chnrch. He owns 100 acres of land on sec. 2, worth about S60 per acre. He has been a farmer all his life, and has also made brick for a number of years. He has now a brick-kiln on his farm where he, in connection with D. E,. Longenecker, makes brick, mostly for home use.

George W. Ehy, a prominent and highly respectable citizen of this tp., is a son of John W. and Veronica (Weaver) Eby, and was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1S29. His father was born in Pennsylvania in 1807, and is now residing in Ontario; his mother, also a native of Pennsylvania, died there about 40 years ago. Mr. E.'s forefathers on his father's side settled in Pennsylvania in 1717, and on his mother's side, in 1732. Mr. Eby came to this county in 1857; in 1S50 he was united in marriage to Lydia Weaver, who was born in Ontario, Canada, in 183-4, and is the mother of 10 children, of whom, unfortunately, only 1 is now living, namely, Lydia. Mr. E. has held the office of Justice of the Peace; is an Odd Fellow; his excellent wife is a member of the Mennonite Church. Politically, he is a Democrat. He now reads and writes both German and English. In 1866 he helped lay out the town of Locke, and soon after started a general merchandise and lumber business; he retired from business in 1877, and commenced farming, where he now resides, as a successful tiller of the soil, on sec. 13, where he owns 160 acres of land. P. O., Locke.

Ellas Fisher, farmer, sec. 14; P. 0., Locke; was born in Ohio in 1842, and is of German-English descent; he is a son of Absalom and Charity (Rush ) Fjsher; his mother is living in this tp., and his father died in the tp. in 1866. His parents came to this tp. in 1851; in 1S65 he was united in marriage to Matilda A. Farguson, who was born in Lake county, Ind., in 1843, and is the mother of 6 children, of whom 3 are now living: Elias E., John L. and Joseph P. Mr. F. has been Assessor. Politically, he is a Democrat. His educational advantages were poor, but he has taught himself to a considerable extent. He owns 100 acres of land, of which 60 are under cultivation, worth about $50 per acre. Mr. F. has worked diligently all his life, has been a carpenter and also has run a sawmill. He is now a farmer, and is an obliging neighbor, an honest, enterprising, successful man.

John. Freed, farmer, sec. 3; P. 0., Wakarusa; is the son of Jacob and Anna (Freed) Freed, and was born in Oiiio in 1824. His father came to this county in 1852. In 1844 Mr. F. was married in Ohio, to Miss Catharine Newcomer, who was born in Ohio in 1824, and died in 1866; she was the mother of 8 children, of whom 4 are living: Jabob, Paul, Henry and Samuel. He was married vania; the latter was a native of that State, and the former of Germany. Mr. G. was born in Pennsylvania in 1812, and is of German descent. lie came- to this county in the fall of 1863, and .;. iirst located at Goshen, where he was first a day-laborer_ and after- -. :J ward ran a restaurant and saloon there. He was married in 1868 to Caroline Clouse, who was born in Ohio in 1818; she is the y.'- mother of 7 children, of whom 5 are living: Charles F., Harvey A., y :\ Birdie, James M. and one unnamed. Mr. and Mrs. G. are mem- . bers of the German Lutheran Church. Politically, he is aDemocrat. ' ' - His educational advantages were limited, bnt he is a faithful reader - ,- at present. lie engaged in business at jfappanee in 1876, and is now running a iirst-ciass saloon, doing a good business; keeps the - ,- Toledo beer. Owns town property worth about $1,300. .'. /

John Hartman, son of Adam and Elizabeth (Ramer) Hartman, both of whom are living in Union tp., was born in Elkhart county, Ind., in 1852, and is of German descent. He came to this tp. in ' . residing in Locke, and is engaged in business at that place, being one of the partners of the fiVm of J. & J. Hartman. Mention of their business interests has already been made in the history of

Asher LocJcwood is a prominent farmer on sec. 3; P. O., Wakarusa; is the oldest settler of the tp. now living. He was born in Windsor county, Vt., Nov. 18, 1832, and is of English descent mother a tall tree has grown above her grave, and beneath .its massive roots they lie there, buried side by side, the first pioneers of -\-;^^ . _ Locke tp. In 1860 Mr. L. was married, in this county, to Matilda -\ j "\Yhitmore, who was born in Ohio June 11, 1843; their union -./ i has been blessed with 11 children, of whom 6 are now living: . .Vi Clara, Flora, Ellen, Ettie, Samuel and Lera. Mr. L. is a member ;; /'.i of the Christian Church. Politically, he is a Democrat. When we , ,, V.; consider the circumstances with which young Asher was surrounded when a boy, it is needless to say that his advantages for securing an education were extremely limited; during his whole life he has gone to school but three months. He owns 80 acres of land, well improved and excellent for farming purposes, on sec. 3, on which he resides, worth about §75 per acre; he owns also 80 acres on sec. 10, worth about $40 per acre. He has a saw-mill on his farm, which was built 27 years ago, and is the oldest one in the tp. Mr. L. is a hard-working, industrious and successful farmer, an honorable and upright Christian man, who strives to live consistently his profession.

Bohinson Loney, a farmer on sec. 27; P. O., Locke; is the son of Kichard and Rebecca (Kirkpatrick) Loney, and was born in Knox county, Ohio, March 11, 1832. He came to this county in 1853 and settled where he now lives; owns 80 acres of good land, which he values at about $50 per acre. His educational advantages were poor. He is a Democrat. Mr. L. was married in 1852 to Eachel Hall, who was born in Ohio in 1832; she is the mother of 9 children, of whom G are living: Ann (wife of Christian Pippinger), Mary (wife of Adam Pletcher, both of Marshall county), Harriett (wife of E. W. Cnlp, of tiiis tp.), George, John and Manda.

Charles Miller, proprietor of a saw-mill at the town of Locke. Mr. M. was born in Germany in 1831, and came to America in 1854, settling first in Canada, where he remained eight years, and then went to Colorado; after having remained there two years he came to this tp. He was married in Canada in 1858 to Rebecca Troyer, who was born in Canada and died in 1875, leaving 4 children and a husband to mourn her loss: Mary A. (wife of Albert Eddline, of New Paris), Martha J., Elizabeth L. and Cora. Mr. M. has been Assessor of the tp. for nine years, and was also appointed Census Enumerator for the year 1880. Politically, he is a Republican. He was educated in Germany, and now both reads and writes German and English. He owns 26 acres of land on sec. 24, worth about $1,500, and he is also a partner in a mill, doing general wood-work of all kinds, and of which mention has already been made.

Martin R. Morlan, miller at Locke , he is a son of Hosea and Ann (lugledue) Morlan, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania and died in Ohio. He was born in Ohio Dec. 30,1835; his father was killed at a barn-raising when Martin, the subject of this sketch, was quite young ; his parents were the earliest settlers in the eastern part of Ohio and came to this tp. in 1858 . Mr. M. was married in September, 1860, to Amy Winder, a native of Ohio; she is the mother of 8 cliildren, 6 of whom are now living : Hilbert, Clara A.. Mary S., Elihu and two others. Mr. M. is now the Justice of the Peace of this tp. Politically, he is a Republican. His wife is a member of the United Brethren Church. He owns 35 acres of land on sec. 24, which he values at about $50 per acre. He has rented a half interest in the grist-mill at Locke, and is at present ensaged in that business.

Jacob D. Myers, farmer, sec. 1 ; P. O., Wakarusa; was born in Ohio in 1835, and is of Pennsylvania Dutcli descent ; he is the son of -John and Sarah (Longenecker) Myers ; the latter is living in Ohio and is a native of that State ; his father died in Ohio in 1851, and was a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. M. came to this county in 1S63 ; he was married in 1858, to Catharine Wis! er, who was born in Ohio in 1830 ; they have 2 children, both of whom are living : Isaac TV", and Leah M. Politically, Mr. M. is a Eepublican, his wife is a member of the Mennonite Church ; he owns SO acres of e.xcellent land on sec. 1 and 40 acres on sec. 4.

John M. Paxson, practicing physician and surgeon in the town of Locke; he is the son of Jacob E. and Caroline M. (Mulberry) Paxson, was born in 1842, and is of Scotch-German descent. lie came to this county in 1856 and to this tp. in May, 1879, and settled at Locke, where he has since resided. In 186(3 he was married to Almira Rogers, who was born in ISTew York in 1843 ; they have had 3 children: Coral B., Lulu M. and CTrace. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic lodge and is, politically, a Republican ; his wife is a member of the Baptist Church. The Doctor's educational advantages when young were quite limited. He commenced the study of medicine about seven years ago and has been practicing about four years. He enjoys a good practice, amounting to about $2,000 annually.

Will F. Feddycord, Justice of the Peace of Locke tp., was born in Fulton county, Ohio, in 1846, and is of Irish descent maternally, and Irish-English paternally; he is the 6th in a family of 10 children, of whom 8 are now living, and whose parents were John and Elizabeth (Graham) Peddycord ; the latter died in May, 1879, and the former about two years previous; both were natives of Ohio. Mr. P. came to Elkhart county in November, 1874, and settled in the town of Locke, where he engaged in the drug business, with the intention of watching the then probable growth of ISTappanee. lie remained in Locke until the spring of 1875, when he removed to Nappanee, where he now resides. In this place he continued in the drug business until February, 1877 ; however, the previous November he was elected Justice of the Peace of Locke tp. He is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Nappanee, No. 575, and was one of tlie charter members of that organization. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church ; politically, he is a Republican. In 1870 Mr. P. was united in matrimony to Mary E. Vaughn, who was born in Holmes county, Ohio, in 1844 ; they have had 2 children : Lulu and Frankie. He is one of the enterprising young men of Nappanee and represents the Hartford, Phoenix and JEtna Fire Insurance Companies ; is also collection agent.

Daniel Ph'di^ps, a farmer on sec. 22 ; P. 0., Locke. Mr. P. is the son of Brice and Honor (Durbin) Philips, both natives of Maryland, and are living in Ohio. He was born in 1830, and came to this county about 1850. He was married in this county in 1853, to Mary Berry, who was born in Ohio in 1833, and is the mother of 1 chifd, namely, Eeuben. Mr. P.'s educational advantages were poor. He and his wife are members oftlie United Brethren Church. He owns 99i acres of Land on sec. 22, worth abont $50 per acre.

Fred D. Richmond, proprietor of the Nappanee House, iSIappanee, was horn in New York Oct. 28, 1832, and is of American descent. He is a sou of Daniel S. and Thankful (Patterson) Eichraond, both of whom are now deceased, the former died in the array in 1864, and the latter in 1856; both were natives of JHew York. In 1856 Mr. R. was married to Catharine Berlin, who was born in Ohio in 1880; they have had 3 children, all ol whom are now living : Charles (a farmer in Locke tp.,) Byron (a cooper at Bremen) and John (a machinist at Garret.) In 1858, the subject of this sketch came to this county and settled in Locke tp., where lie followed blacksmithing until September, ISYS. Politically, he is an earnest advocate of the principles of the Kepublican party, he is a member of the Masonic lodge at Wakarusa, JSTo. 448. His educational advantages were only such as were afforded by common schools.

David II. Rohrer, clerk in the di-y-goods and grocery store of Dietrich & Co., was born in this county June 10, iS57, of German descent. He is the only child of Henry and Elizabeth(Huntsberger) liohrer; his mother is now living in Harrison tp. and was born in Pennsylvania in 1831 ; his father died in October, 1857, at the age of 28 years; he was a native of the same State. They came to this county in 185 - and settled in Harrison tp., where his father died. Mr. R., the snbject of this sketch, came to this tp. in October, 1878; he was married in the same year to Mary E. McDonald, who was born in this county May 9, 1858; they have had 1 child, namely, William H. Politically," Mr. Pv,. is a Eepublican. His opportunities for securing an education were only moderate, being confined to a few months' school in the winter; however, he is one of those selfmade young men who never give up, and now he takes an active part in everything of a literary nature, and also speaks German. He owns a dwelling house in l^appanee worth about $1,000, and a business house occupied by Dietrich & Co., worth about $2,000. The subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm until he came to ]N'api3anee, when he occupied the position of clerk with the above firm. He was formerly with Charpie & Fluegel in the same business at Nappanee until Pebruary, 18S0. Mr. P. is an enterprising, energetic, business young man.

Samuel Ruckman, a carpenter in the town of Locke, was born in Ohio in 1833, and is of English-German descent; he is a son of James and Hannah (Hoffman )'Euckman, both of whom are living in Ohio; the former is a native of Yirginia and the latter of Ohio. Mr. K. emigrated to this county in 1859 and located permanently in this tp. in 1860. His educational advantages were very limited. Politically, he is a Eepublican. He owns 20 acres of land on sec.

24, which he values at §1.000. He has worked iadustrionsly during his whole life. In 1S60 he was united in matrimony to Miss Sarah Wisler, born in Ohio in 1836; they have had 3 children, all of whom are living; Martha J. (a school-teacher), John J. and Emma I. Mr. and Mrs. K. are zealous members of the United Brethren Church . They are also earnest laborers for the cause ot temperance, and Mr. R. is Superintendent of the Sunday-school at the United Brethren Church.

Sarah A. Salslniry^ farmer in sec. 13; P. O., Locke; is the daughter of Joseph and Am)' (Taylor) Winder, and was born in Portage county, 0., in 1S31, and is of German descent; her mother, who is a native of Peunsjdvania, is now living in Nappanee; her father, a native of the same State, died in 1S50. Mrs. S. was married in Ohio in 1849, to Joseph Miner, who was born in Ohio in 1826, and died in the army in 1863; he was the son of Thomas and Mary (Hoffman) Miner. Mr. and Mrs. S. had 1 children, all of whom are living; Josephine, the wife of Jacob S. Stutsman, a farmer of Harrison tp.; Mary, the wife of Samuel Helman, a farmer of Jefferson tp. ; Perry L. and Ella L.,both at home. In 1868 Mrs. S. was married to David Salsbury, who is now living in Wyoming Territory. She came to this county with her first husband in 1853, and settled where she still resides; she owns 70 acres of land which she values at about $-10 per acre.

Susanna Sander, farmer, sec. 13; P. 0., Nappanee; is the daughter of Henry and Lydia (Mellinger) Stauffer; her father is now living with her and was born in Ohio in 1812; her mother, also a native of Ohio, died in 1877. Mrs. S. was born in Ohio in 1839, and is of German-English descent; her parents carae to this county in Maj', 1850, and settled in Union tp. ; in 1856 she was married to Daniel Sander, who was born in Ohio in 1825, and died in 1877; he was a Republican and a member of the Mennonite Church; Mrs. S. is also a member of the same Church; owns 81 acres of land, valued at about $50 per acre; is the mother of 1 children, of whom 2 are living: Henry and Mary.

Dr. C. H. Schwartz, practicing physician and surgeon at Xappanee, was bora in Switzerland in 1310, and came to this country in 1852, settling in Holmes county, Ohio; he is the son of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Ivuntz) Schwartz; his father is living in Ohio; mother died in Switzerland in 1817; both natives of that country. The Doctor came to this county in 1872, and located at Middlebury; came to Nappanee in November, 1876. In 1868 he was married to Sivilla Ilohrer, who was born in Holmes county, Ohio, in 1818; they have had 8 children, of whom 7 are living: Rosetta A., John A.,'Mary E., Ida E., William E., Charles W. and Atlee E. The Doctor has been Tp. Clerk, and Clerk of Board of Education in Holmes county, Ohio. He and his wife are members of the German Refgrmed Church ; politically, he is a Democrat. He began the study of medicine in 1869 at Cleveland, Ohio, and began

Moses C. Stahly, farmer, sec. 36; P. 0., Xappanee; son of Cliristian and Fannie (Haussauer) Stahly, was born in Union tp., of this county, in 1849, and is of German extraction. His parents are living in Union tp., and came to this county about 1840. His father was a native of Germany, and his mother of Ohio. He settled in this tp. in 1874; he was married in 1873 to Mary ISTicely, who was born in Ohio in 1851, and they have 4 children, of whom 3 are now living: Mattie, Emma and Fannie. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the Amish Church. His education, when young, was limited; owns SO acres of land, on which he lives, worth about $.50 per acre. He is a hard-working, industrious man and farmer.

John Tintsmaii, a miller in the town of Locke, was born in Ohio in 1834, and is the son of Mark and Susanna (Bowers) Tintsman, both of whom are natives of Pennsylvania and residents of this tp. ; they came to this county in 1850, and settled where they now reside. The subject of tliis sketch came to Locke in 1878 and engaged in business at this place. (For mention of his business see history of the tp.) In 1856 he was married to Siuah J. Platter, born in Indiana in 1838, and they have had 11 children, of whom 5 are now living: John A., Lillie S., Katie A., Charles H. and Mata J.; Mrs. T. is a member of the Evangelical Church. His educational advantages were such as were afforded by common scliools; politically, he is a Republican. He is an upright man and a prominent citizen in his community.

W. L. Tucher, son of Loton and Sarah (Mallory) Tucker, was born in Vermont in 1837, and is of French-English descent; his mother is living in Michigan, and is a native of Vermont; his father, a native of France, died in 1830. Mr.T. came to this county in 1833, and after living in Concord tp. thre'e years removed to Michigan; after traveling about considerably in Michigan, Missouri and St. Joseph county, he finally came to this tp. and entered into the saw-milling business here, mention of which has been already made. He was married in 1850 to Elizabeth Clindanell, a native of Delaware, and they have 3 children: Cora, Bion and Mabel. Mr. T. has held the office of Constable, and is a member of the Odd Feilows' lodge at Niles, Michigan, ISTo. 6. Politically, he is a Republican.

W. F. Urich, dealer in agricultural implements and insurance agent at Nappanee, was born in Pennsylvania in 1851, and is of German- Scotch descent; he is the son of G. P. and Harriet (Zeller) Urich, both of whom are natives of Pennsylvania and are now living near Philadelphia. Mr. U. came to this State in 1870, and settled in St. Joseph county, where he lived one year, and then went to Noble county; there he lived until 1878, when he came to jSTappanee. He was married in 1875 to Prances C. Shull, who was born in Ohio in 1856. and they have 1 child. Amy E. Mr. U. is a member of the Lutheran Church, and politically is a Republican.

State of Indiana of the Keystone Mutual, of Pennsylvania. He is doing a good business, and is one of the prominent business men of Nappanee. , : v^J-I^ffi ceased and were natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. W. came to this count}' in 18G9, and located whei'e he now lives; he was married in Ohio m 1868, to Susanna Mumaw, who was born in Ohio in 1847; their 6 children are all living : George, Jacob, Daniel, Amos, Silas and Martin. Politically, Mr. W. is a Pepublican ; he and ' .^ wife are members of the Mennonite Church. His educational advantages were limited; he owns 130 acres of land on sec. 10, worth about $50 per acre.

Lewis B. Winder was born in Bloomfield tp., Crawford county, Pa., April 26, 1825, and is of English descent; he is the oldest in a family of 8 children, of whom 6 are now living; their parents were Caleb G. and Margaret (Bloomfield) Winder; the former was born in New Jersey, in 1800, and died July 1, 1844; the latter was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, in 1811, and died in 1846; the tp. in which she was born was named after his great-grandfather on his mother's side, who was one of the pioneer settlers in Crawford county, Pa., when the parents of Mr. W. were married and settled down in active life. They first located in Crawford county, Pa., where 4 sons were born, Lewis being the eldest. After having lived there a few years, they removed to Randolph tp.. Portage Co., O., where they both died and lie buried on the same land which they formerly owned; here they peacefully rest, sleeping that sleep the loveliest since it dreams the least. In January, 1865, Mr. W. came to Indiana and bought land from John R. Davis, on sec. 24 of this tp. ; this land he still owns and occupies; but in the meantime he has purchased iO acres more on the same section. He was first married, Sept. 14, 1848, to Sarah A. Walker, who was born in Ohio Dec. 10, 1829, and is the daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Battershell) Walker; she died in this tp. Aug. 23, 1874, being the mother of 2 children. Malissa and Emma; the former died when quite young, and the latter is the wife of Jacob Fippinger, a farmer of this tp., Oct. 4, 1875. Mr. W. was married to Mary A. Berlin, daughter of John D. and Susan (liofman) Berlin, who was born in Ohio in 1838; when a boy, he had only the advantages for an education which were afforded by subscription schools in log houses, until he was 12 years of age; and even then, being the eldest in his father's family, it was often inconvenient for him to attend school, frequently being compelled to remain at home and perform manual labor with his father, who was a farmer, and also a hatter by trade.

Mr. W. relates quite a remarkable little story concerning his father, which will not here be out of place. He learned the trade of a hatter at Brownsville, Pa., and afterward went to Natchez while yet unmarried, and remained there until he was shipped to St. Louis, as an invalid from the yellow fever; hence he began a wandering journey on foot, through the Western States; after having journeyed for 14 years, during which time no one knew aught of his whereabouts, he returned to the home of his boyhood days, supposing himself to have traveled about 2,500 miles.

Mr. W. is now living in the village of Locke, which town he assisted in laying out in the year 186 - , a part of if upon his own land. He now owns and controls the farm, but is engaged at present in carrying the mail from Nappanee to Goshen by way of Locke and Wakarusa; he has been in this business ever since 1869. Mr. W. is one of the enterprising men of Locke tp., who has been more or less intimately connected with its history ever since he has been a resident of it, and who has thus deserved more than a passing notice in doing justice to the history of this tp. He is a man who reads a great deal; has worked industriously all his life, and is an upright, highly respected citizen of the community in which he resides.

Alpheus Wisler, farmer, sec. 15; P. 0., Locke; is a brother of the following mentioned, and was born in Ohio in 1844. He was united in marriage in 1867 with Catharine Ulery, who was born in Union tp., this county, in 1848; she is the daughter of Daniel and Mary (Davenport) Ulery, and has 3 children, all of whom are living: Daniel U., Leander E. and Curtis E. Politically, Mr. W. is a Eepublican; his educational advantages were fair, and he reads a great deal. He owns 107 acres of good farming land on sec. 15, worth about $45 per acre; has on it a neat little frame house, which he built in 1874, at a cost of $1,200.

Ohio in 18 - , and they have had 7 children, of whom 6 are now living: Oliver P., Jonas M., Albert L., Mary J., Elizabeth A. and , , - Addie; all are at liome. Mr. W. has held the office of Justice of the Peace for 12 years and School Trustee three and a half years, .

cational advantages were rather limited, being compelled to attend school in log houses with slab seats; however, he is a great reader and speaks the German language. He owns 160 acres of land, 80 - - on sec. 24 and SO on sec. 23; the former tract is worth about $60 per acre and the latter about $45 per acre. He has been a hard-working man all his life, having bad no start when he began for himself. ', daughter of Samuel and Mary Wilson and is the mother of 7 children, of whom 4 are now living: John W., Ella J., Mary S. and |~ Sarah A. Mr. W. is a Republican. His advantages for securing an education when young were quite limited; his father, being a distiller in Ohio, furnished an abundance of work for his children in their boyhood days. He owns 80 acres of well-improved land on sec. 14, worth about $5,000; also 100 acres on sec. 13, which he values at $60 per acre. Has been a farmer all his life, but in 1853 , ; he with his two brothers, moved to where the village of Locke now - < stands and started a machine-shop, doing general wood-work, as

George A. IToder, son of Jacob and Earbara (Miller) Yoder, was born in Pennsylvania in 1854, and is of German descent. His parents, who were natives of Pennsylvania, are now both deceased. Mr. Y. came to this county in February, 1879; he was married in 1876 to Mary Miller, who was born in Ohio in 1855; she is the mother of 2 children, both living: Edward and Elcanora. He and wife are members of the Mennonite Church; politically, he is a Kepublican. His educational advantages were limited. He owns a house and lot in town, worth about $800. He is an equal partner in the i5rm of !Nittrower & Yoder, whose business interests have already been mentioned.

This is considered one of the finest townships in this favored county, and for agricultural purposes is not surpassed by any. Where less than 50 years ago the deer and wolf roamed at will, the native red man their only enemy, are now handsome school-houses, residences and well cultivated fields. The native forests have disappeared, and by the energy and skill of the sturdy pioneer, instead of dense tracts of hickory, oak, and maple, which covered the fertile soil, we now behold the sweet fields of corn, broad acres of waving wheat, numerous herds of thoroughbred stock grazing in green pastures; indeed, every evidence of wealth and prosperity. To those who opened up and developed the wonderful resources of Middle- ' bury, the present and coming generations will owe eternal gratitude. They suffered untold privations and inconveniences, labored with unflagging industry and will, receiving only a meager compensation for their toil. They were far distant from their friends and their old homes, and with restricted means of communication with them. The pioneers were encouraged and sustained with the hope of soon establishing comfortable homes for themselves and their families, and with a noble ambition of conferring on posterity blessings which shall ever be a monument to their memories.

The first pioneers who came to this township were Enoch Woodbridge and family, who settled here in 1832, and after a brief period these were followed by settlers both south and north of the now flourishing town of Middlebury. Also on the State road east of Middlebury a Mr. Whittlesy had settled adjoining the premises of the Trusdell family. Mr. Solomon L. Hixon, from whom many of these facts are obtained, and whose eventful life is sketched on another page, is undoubtedly the oldest pioneer settler of the township now living. He came March 4, 1834.

At this early day the pioneer families were to a great extent cut off from nearly all social, religious, educational and commercial advantages. They were people who greatly valued such privileges; and though they were for some time without school-houses and churches, easily found the facilities for enjoying themselves both socially and religiously. Middlebury has always been proud of her schools, and according to her population stands second to none in the county, and perhaps in the State. The inhabitants of Middlebury were eminently religious. Preaching and prayer-meetings were had at private houses until better accommodations could be obtained. At Sugar Grove, some three and one-half miles southeast of Middlebury of Charm postoffice, is located the German Baptist church, which was built in 1S42 by the New-School Presbyterians, and afterward purchased from them by the former denomination. On section 27, some two miles south of Middlebury, is located a Lutheran church, which has quite a large membership, and is in a prosperous condition.

The other churches of the township are situated in the town of Middlebury, and the histories of the two are so closely identified that we pass from the history of the township to that of the town.

Perhaps one of the most prosperous inland towns of Elkhart county is the little town of Middlebury, teeming with all the life, vigor, energy and enterprise of cities boasting of more inhabitants and more metropolitan in character. In this, our history of the town and its worthy inhabitants, we shall turn the leaves of time gently backward until we shall have arrived at the year 1832, when the township of Middlebury was settled by Enoch Woodbridge and family, who emigrated from Vermont. Three years later the town of Middlebury was platted by Winslow, Warren and Brown, who were then and subsequently ranked among the more intelligent and progressive citizens of the county of Elkhart.

As the county became settled the town grew in a corresponding ratio to the wealth of its citizens. The first building was used as an inn or frame hotel, and was erected by Wm. T. Hunter, who moved from Ohio, and catered to the wants of the public as a hotel proprietor for a number of years. Geo. S. Sayer and John C. Case about the same time completed two substantial frame buildings, and in connection with Swan & Earl, Geo. Sayer was among the first merchants of the pioneer village.

S. L. Hixon, from whom this sketch is obtained, remembers other merchants. Chas. A. Dole andJas. S. Dole, who are described as wide-awake, active business men, who at one time embarked in the distilling business, located near the site of the present grist and saw-mill. This was built by Cornelius Northup, and at first used as a saw-mill and ultimately also as a flouring mill. The distillery we have referred to seems not to have been a success financially; neither its rival, located on the wagon-road to Goshen. Benj. G.

Evans was the first postmaster, and attended quietly to the duties of this vocation in the family residence. Dr. Cornell was the first justice of the peace, his jurisdiction extending over four townships, including Middlebury. The first saw-mill alluded to at the opening of this narrative was built by the Woodbridges in the spring of 1834. The erection of the flouring mill followed two years later. A man named Hawkins kept the first blacksmith shop. The first wagon-maker was Daniel 0. Bishop.

Church services by those of the Methodist denomination were first held at a school-house, erected for worship and secular instruction in 1836. Rev. Ira Woodworth was the first resident local preacher. ISTancy A. Hixon, first wife ot S. L. Hixon, was the first Sabbath-school teacher.

The first children born were those of S. L. Hixon and Wm. T. Bentley, in 1835. The first death was that of John Moore, transient, a land explorer, who died quite suddenly at the residence of John C. Holmes in August, ISSi. The first couple married were Horace Woodbridge and Miss Blanchard. The first phj'sician was Cephas Dunning, who came in 1834. The first 'residences in the village were log cabins built by S. L. Hixon, the Woodbridges and 14 neighbors, including their sons, kindly assisting Mr. Hixon at the " raising " of his cabin, as it was termed.

It would, perhaps, be deemed superfluous to note in detail the many prosperous merchant and business men of Middlebury at this writing, as many of them honor our pages in biographical sketches that will cause them to live in the memory of a new race, whose footsteps tend toward the mature years of manhood and womanhood. Foster & White are among the leading -merchants of the place, and carry a first-class line of dry-goods and groceries. A. S. Gross is also among the shrewd and more progressive merchants. In this line there can also be mentioned with commendable pride C. Stoots and William Miller. Tiie trade in groceries is well and honorably represented by C. S. Mather and Jas. Walters. The druggists are two in number, - Dr. S. E. Martin and Ira J. Woodworth. The physicians of the place are Drs. Martin, Jos. Heatwole, Putt, J. G. Smith, Merkin and Ham. Mr. Cope, whose biography appears elsewhere, has gained a good practice, having no competition in the dentistry line.

The hotels of the place are two in number, the City Hotel, presided over by the genial Tom Slater, and the York House, under the management of Michael Hefiinger. Messrs. Elliott & Foster and

Pence & Koffinan transact an extensive business in the hardware line. There are three carriage and wagon manufacturers, who do a thriving business. The names of the gentlemen are Jos. Hutchins, Jacob Kindig and Tony Hoover. There is one livery, owned by A. Griner. A year ago, it is thought, through the efforts of an incendiary, the extensive planing and saw-mill owned by Wm. Stauffer was destroyed by fire. The present saw-mill is also owned by Stauffer.

There is one public graded school, which is taught by M. O. Fisher, principal, Miss Mellington in the primary department and Miss Hill in the intermediate department. The membership is quite full, and the school in a very thriving condition.

Last, but by no means least, in the newspaper line, is the Middlebury Hecord, a weekly, practical newspaper, devoted to the interests of Middlebury tp. and Elkhart county; an out-spoken, eight-column Republican newspaper. Its circulation is widespread, and its spicy, breezy columns teem with life. Its stirring editorials are a pleasurable surprise to its many readers, whatever their political proclivities may be. The proprietor, Mr. Joel P. Heatwole, began its publication in June, 187S, and his surprising success is due to his literary ability and rare energy. Mr. H. is a son of Dr. H. Heatwole, a prominent physician of Goshen.

The principal excitement since the foundation of the town was the projected railway in 1835, known as the "Buffalo & Mississippi railroad." A corps of surveyors were sent out, and a line near by or in the town staked out for a road, creating no little flutter of excitement among the residents. The proposed railroad, however, was finally abandoned - so far, at least, as concerned Elkhart county; and the nearest railway accommodation now is at Vistula, on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroad.

Personal Sketches

Personal historj' is even more important and interesting than any other, and, accordingly, we complete our account of Middlebury township with a series of sketches of those individuals who have been most prominently identified with the career of this prosperous community.

William Abel, a well-known farmer and stock-raiser of Middlebury tp., was born in ISTew Jersey Dec. 15, 1815, a son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Van Denventer) Abel, who were of English ancestry. They removed to Tompkins county, N. Y., about 1S15, where they resided the rest of their lives. Young William, when about 5 years of age, went to live with his grandfather in Yates county, l!T. Y., where he remained some nine years, and where he received the benefits of a common-school education. When about 14 years of age he returned to his home in Tompkins county, and remained there until the death of his father, which occurred about 1835. Mr. Abel about this time learned the carpenter's trade, which business he followed with considerable success in Buffalo, Rochester, Batavia, and other places in JN^ew York State for several years. He was married Jan. 8, 1839, to Sarah Owens. They had 2 children, of whom 1 is living: Helen, now the wife of E. H. Billington, a farmer of Shiawassee county, Mich. She is the mother of 3 children - , C. M. Wentworth, born JSTov. 12, 1866, and Edna M. Billington, born in January, 1871. Mrs. Abel departed this life Aug. 3, 1816- Mr. A. removed to this county in 1839, and settled 3^ miles southeast of Middlebury, where he remained some three or four years, when he removed to Milford, Kosciusko county. There he purchased a hotel and conducted it two years, when he rented it and removed to Middlebnry, where he lived until his purchase of his present home in 1853". Feb. 22, 1849, Mr. Abel was united in marriage to H. Jane Carr, a native of Tompkins county, !N^. Y., born Oct. 6, 1828. Of this marriage was born 1 child: Lewis W., Sept. 15, 1853, who died Nov. 15, 1863. Mr. Abel, during some si.x years of his life, was engaged in the business of grafting, in which he was most successful, and it was conducted by him in the most honorable manner. He has never held any public office, and is a warm supporter of all Christian and charitable objects; is a selfmade man; owns 100 acres of as tine land as there is in the tp. ; is a genial gentleman of the old school, and highly esteemed by all who know him.

JohnD. Beers is a native of Orange county, JN'. Y., born April 28, 1828, the son of Joseph 0. and Mehetabel (Winters) Beers, of New England ancestry. Young John received such education as the district schools of his neighborhood afforded until the age of 15, when he served an apprenticeship to the plastering and bricklaying trade in New York city, and immediately engaged in the business in New York, Brooklyn and in Orange county, N. Y. Was united in marriage in 1852, with Minerva Sherwood, and they have had 4 children, as follows: Henry H., about 26 years of age; Josie C, 24; Frank F., who died at the age of 19, and Jennie, who died at 4 years of age. Mr. B. came to Middlebury in 1852, since which time he has conducted the plastering and bricklaying trade quite extensively in Middlebury and surrounding country, employing at times a good many men, and doing asx;perior class of work. Is a self-made man and financiallv successful.

Jonas W. Beers, brother of the preceding, was born in Orange county, IN". Y., July 29, 1833. Mr. B. received an ordinary common-school education and assisted on the farm until 16 years of age, when he learned the mason and bricklaying trade, which he was actively engaged in prior to coming to Indiana in 1854. He iirst located near Bristol, in this county, and followed his calling jointly with farming in that locality for about 20 years, with the exception of about four years, which he spent with his family in Muskegon county, Michigan. He removed to Middlebury in the fall of 1875. Mr. Beers was married, in 1S56, to Kosetta Lamphear, a native of Orange county, IN". Y. They are the pai'ents of 4 children, viz.: George M., born Sept. 5, 1857; Charlotte L., Sept. 26, 1862; Bertie S., Jan. 27, 1869; Cora S., Oct. 25, 1873. Mrs. Beers departed this life March 3, 1S76, an exemplary member of the M. E. Church. Mr. B. actively engaged last spring in the grafting business, and sends out several teams and numerous hands in this enterprise. He has been moderately successful, in life.

Rev. John T. BJaJcemore, of Middlebury, is among that class of cultured and Christian gentlemen who have gained considerably more than mere local fame, both as clergymen of fine ability in the pnlpit, and orators of considerable power during the late Presidential campaign. He was born in Alabama March 11, 1849. Joseph Blakemore, the head of the family, was a native of Georgia and the mother of South Carolina. John attended the common schools in Alabama and followed farming until the close of the Eebellion; managed his father's cotton plantation until 1868, after which he entered the famous Lookout Mountain Institute, under the management of Cecil F. Bancroft, a relative of the famous historian; September, 1873, he entered the Wesleyan University at Athens, Tenn., at which he graduated with honor March 27, 1874. He was married May 28, 1874 to Maggie Ziegler, a native of Tennessee, and they have 2 children living: Blanche and Nancy. Mr. B. was once President of Andrews College, of Alabama, and was also prominently ideutiiied with the M. E. Conference, held in that State in 1873, He was ordained Deacon by Bishop Haven, and to the office of Elder by Bishop Scott. September, 1879, he resigned the Presidency of Andrews College, where he had successfully taught 300 students, and was transferred to the Korthern Indiana Conference by Bishop Scott and appointed to fill the pastorate at Middlebury Oct. 23, 1879. He is very deservedly popular at Middlebury, and the publishers of this volume predict for him a brilliant and successful future.

Henry C. Bockus, the eldest son of John and Catharine (Green) Bockus, natives of New York, and of German ancestry, who moved to York tp., this county, in 1855. The subject of this sketch was born March 27, 1842; received a fair education in the district schools in New York State, and with his parents came to Indiana in 1S55, where his occupation was that of farmer until the breaking out of the Kebellion, when he enlisted in the 12th Mich. Inf , his regiment being engaged doing guard duty at Little Rock, Ark., and White river until his term of enlistment had expired, and he was mustered out of the service at Camden, Ark., Feb. 15, 1866. Mr. Bockus returned to Lagrange county, and was a successful farmer there for six or seven years, and removed to Middlebury about 1875, and soon after became proprietor of the City Hotel, which he conducted in the most popular manner until July 8, 1880. Mr. B. married in 1867, Sarah E. Baker. They have 1 child, William Henry, now about 12 years of age, and a pupil of the Middlebury graded school. Mr. Bockus has been quite successful in life; is a self-made man, and a Democrat in politics.

John BocJciis, brother of the preceding, was born in Saratoga, jST. Y., March 25, 1847; received a common-school education and was employed in farming prior to his enlistment, September, 1864, in the 1st Mich. Vol. Sharpshooters Eegt., and participated in the various engagements which took place after his enlistment in front of Petersburg, and was mustered out with his regiment at Detroit, Mich., June 14, 1865. Immediately after the close of the war Mr. Bockus returned to York tp. and resumed his former occupation, that of fiirming, and in June, 1874, removed to Middlebury, since which time he has been engaged in carrying the U. S. mail between Middlebury and Vistula, making two round trips daily. Mr. Bockus was united in marriage July 5, 1868, to Mary Lee. They are the parents of 1 child: Vernon, born June 17, 1876. Mrs. Bockas is a worshiper in the M. E. tUiurch. Mr. B. has been a member of the Board of Trustees of Middlebury corporation for four terms; has also been President of the Board. He is a worthy and popular citizen.

Allen Cope, M. D., dentist, is a native of Pennsylvania, where he was born jSTov. 30, 1852. His parents are Jesse and Elizabeth (McGrew) Cope, natives of Pennsylvania, and of English ancestry. His early education was acquired in the common schools, and when about 21 years of age he commenced the study of dentistry. Upon perfecting his course in the profession, he established himself in his native town, Connellsville, Pa., where he remained about one and a-half years; also practiced in other places in the same State. He came West in 1874, and after considerable practice in Michigan he located in Bristol, this county, where he remained some three years; removed to Middlebury in 1879, where he is acquiring a large and constantly increasing practice. Dr. C. was married in 1879, to Alice Kantz; they have 1 child, Albert L., born March 16, 1880. The Doctor is a Republican in politics, and for a young man has been moderately successful, financially.

Moses A. Cordrey, bookseller and stationer, was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, Feb. 9, 1836. He is the son of Thomas D. and Sarah (Schuster) Cordrey, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively, and of Scotch-German ancestry. Mr. Cordrey's parents died during his infancy, and with his brother-in-law he removed to Lagrange county, Ind., in 1845, where he remained some eight years, 'and spent liis youth in attendance upon the common schools and working upon the farm. He came to Middlebury in 1853, and followed clerking and painting until his enlistment in the 88th Ind. Vol., which regiment was detached for special duty during his term of service, at Louisville, Ky. He was mustered out with his regiment at Indianapolis, June 23, 1865. Mr. C. returned to Middlebury and resumed his former occupation of clerking, which he continued until his purchase of his present business in 1873, and has built up quite an extensive trade in school, miscellaneous and blank books, stationery, fancy goods, etc. Mr. C. was married Dec. 25, 1865, to Elizabeth J. Sherwood, of Tompkins county, N. Y. They have 2 children living: Eddie W., born Oct. 18, 1866, and Forney F., born Feb. 10, 1871. Mr. C. has liiled the office of Clerk to the councilmen constantly since the organization of the town.

Dr. Jacob Cornell^ a gentleman of rare culture and unquestioned ability, both as a physician and agriculturist, was born in Franklin county, 0., in 1809, the 5th son of Benjamin and Rosanna (Foley) Cornell; father settled in that county in 1802, and in Clarke county - in 1812. Dr. C. calls vividly to mind the war with England, the battle of Tippecanoe, the generalship of W. H. Harrison and the perforation of his tent by British bullets. He received what might be called a '"round log-cabin" education; was brought up on a farm; for a period before he was 21, was engaged in driving hogs, in which business he met with an accident during a stampede of the animals, which finally resulted in the amputation of a leg fi)ur and a half years afterward; during tliis time he applied himself diligently to the study of medicine; in the spring of 1833, one year after the Black Hawk war, he located in this tp.; for two years he lived in Jefierson tp., before its organization ; was elected Justice of the Peace, his jurisdiction extending at that early date over the tps. of Middlebury, Jefierson, Washington and York. In 1836 he married Miss Mary A., daughter of Joseph and Lucretia (Merritt) Hubbell, and of their 9 children the following 6 are living: John W., who married Miss Leonora Ultch; William L., who died in the army; Abijah, who married Miss Sarah L^ltch, and after her death married Miss Ella Mead; Milton A., who married Lucy Copeland; Jacob, who married Emma Trout; and Frank M. The two deceased are Lucretia, who married C. C. Ellsworth, and Ella, who married Daniel Smith.

For a period of 40 years Doctor C. has been a successful physician, and has held many local offices of public trust and responsibility; he is a Republican. He owns 2±0 acres of land, and is very comfortably situated in life.

Dr. P. TF. Crum was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, March 18, 1816, the third son in a family of 6 children; when he was 16 years old his father died, and he remained on the farm with his mother until of age, when she died; he obtained a fair English education, mostly before his father died; at the age of 22 he married Miss Cynthia Patterson, a member of the M. E. Church, and tliey have had 4 children, but only 2 of whom are living, a son and a daughter. From 183S to 1840 he was in the mercantile business, in partnership with his brother; he then read medicine in the office of Dr. J. Hindman three years, when be went into partnership with him and continued in this relation to 1847; he then took a course of medical lectures, and located for practice in New Berlin, Stark county, Ohio, near his native place; in 1864 he settled in Ligonier, Ind., where he followed his profession until the fall of 1879, when he exchanged his town property for a beautiful fruit farm one mile east of Middlebury, where he now resides, practicing medicine. Mrs. C. died in the spring of 1880, and the Doctor is now left with only a little granddaughter to comfort bim in his old age. For the last 25 years the Doctor has been identified with the Church of God,'' being a firm believer in the teachings of the Scriptures. His parents were members of the Lutheran Cliurch.

Walter W. Eldridge., farmer and stock-raiser, was born in this State March IS, 1848, a son of "Walter and Elizabeth (Poyser) Eldridge, the former a native of Vermont and tlie latter of Pennsylvania, both of English ancestry. Mr. Eldridge, Sr., entered and settled on sec. 36, this tp., in 1837, and at the time of his death, June 10, 1871, owned 240 acres of land. He was a highly esteetned citizen. His surviving widow, a vigorous and genial old lady, was born in September, 1804. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The subject of this sketch received a liberal education in the common schools and in the Goshen high school. Dec. 2, 1870, he married Maria Shoup, a native of Ohio, and they are the parents of 4 children, 3 of whom are living: Henry 0., born July 2, 1872, Annie S., Aug. 25, 1876, and Ella'R, June 25, 1880. Mr. E. is a Republican.

Perry B. Elliott is the son of William C. and Viola (Hutchinson) Elliott, who are natives of Ohio, of English descent. The subject of this sketch was born in Lagrange county, Ind., Aug. 30, 1854, during which year his parents removed to Clinton tp., where they still reside, and where William received such education as was available in the common schools, and was brought up in the knowledge of such pursuits as well fitted him for the occupation of his choice, that of farming. Mr. Elliott was united in marriage Dec. 25, 1878, to Effie A. Lutz, a native of this county, born Oct. 20, 1861, after which event he immediately removed to this tp., where he now resides. Has held a minor tp. office, and is a young man of much intelligence and promise.

Rev. E. W. Erick, a well-known clerg^miau of Middlebury, was born in 1835 at Springfield, Ohio. Peter Erick, his father, and Elizabeth, his mother, were natives of Washington county. Pa., whose ancestry is traced back to Germany; they located in this State in 1842, where the subject of this notice acquired a preliminary education in the common schools, making rapid progress in his studies, and shortly thereafter entered Roanoke Institute (literary), where he took up the higher branches of a classical

English education. Having determined to adopt the ministerial profession he became a student at the M. E. College of Fort Wayne, where he took a select course preparatory to his ministerial duties first devolving upon him in 1858, when he took charge of the Ossian Church in Allen county, Ind., remaining one year, when he became Pastor of a prominent Church at Murray, Ind., where his ability converted many into the way of righteousness. When the war broke out he organized a company, was chosen its Captain, and ultimately became Chaplain of the 89th Ind. Vol. Inf. ; at the battle of Murfreesboro he was taken prisoner, but providentially made his escape in the fall of 1863; he resigned his commission and returned to Indiana; again became the popular Pastor of various Churches of the M. E. denomination. In February, 1879, he came to Middlebury, taking charge of the M. E. Church. 'Nov. 5 he was elected President of the Synod of Northern Indiana; was regularly installed Pastor of the Lutheran Church of this place Nov. 24, 1879. Feb. 7, 1854, he was married to Sarah C. Hoofmire, a native of Ohio, and 4 of their 7 children are living.

Marion 0. I'^ishe?', Principal of the Middlebury graded school, was born in Ontario county, N. T., June 21, 1850; his parents are Oscar N. and Elizabeth J. (Case) Fisher, also natives of New York, and of English ancestry. Mr. F. received his preliminary education in the common schools, and subsequently attended the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, N. Y.; since that time he has made teaching school a profession; after coming to Indiana in the fall of 1872, had charge of several schools in various places in Elkhart county, and also in Michigan; he is now principal of the Middlebury high school, and is considered an accomplished and successful teacher. Mr. Fisher was married in 1876 to Miss A. Pease.

Clinton JE. Foster. - To trace the genealogy of the Foster family to the present time, from 1776, the days of the Revolution, when some of their ancestors, originally from England, were engaged in opposing the landing of the British at Guilford, in connection with the Connecticut militia, we begin as follows:

Orin Foster, son of Aaron, was born March 18, 1776; he married Rachel Crampton, who was born Oct. 8, 1777. David Foster was their son, who was born in North Madison tp., New Haven Co., Conn., April 11, 1802. April 4, 1835, he married Charlotte K Eedfield, who was born Aug. 8, 1798, in Killingworth tp.. New Haven Co., Conn.; 5 children were born to them, viz.: Polly. J., born March 9, 1826; Oliver W., June 5, 1827; Clinton E., Nov. 3, 1828; Wealthy A., May 15, 1831; Sarah J., April' 15, 1840 - all of whom are now living except Sarah J., who died May 5, 1843, and Wealthy A., who died Oct. 8, 1877. David L. Foster came to Indiana from New Haven, Conn., in 1836, and bought in Middlebury tp., Elkhart county, 720 acres of land. The next year he came on with his family, where he remained until his death, Jan. 17, 1853. His wife, Charlotte, survived him three years.

James Frederick was born in Pennsylvania Sept. 11, 1818, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Miller) Frederick, also natives of that State, and of German descent. The familjMnoved to Stark county, Ohio, about 1833, where James completed his education and learned the cooper's trade,which business he prosecuted extensively for anumber of years. In 1833, in Ohio, he married Susannah Carper, and their 6 children are: Wilson S.,' born June 28, 1856; Geo. W., Feb. 19, 1858; Eobert Franklin, April 5, 1861; Mary E.. July 27, 1863; James N., ISTov. 23, 1865, and jSTewton, April 23, 1868. Mr. F. moved from Ohio to this tp. in Mal'ch, 1856, settling on sec. 35, where he still remains, the prosperous owner of fine property. He is a Republican, but not a member of any Church. Mrs. F. is a German Baptist.

Jacob Geisinger, deceased, was a native of Lowell county, Toronto, Canada; he was in his 12th year when he accompanied his parents to Medina county', Ohio, where, after attaining to man's estate, he became a teacher in the district schools. In 1838 he was married to Miss Martlia Warren, daughter of John and Eva Warren, and 8 children blessed this union, viz.: John (a resident of Chicago), Henry (who resides on the homestead), Samuel (at Goshen), Mary .J. (who married J. B. Selder, of Michigan), Benjamin J. (who resides in Illinois), Martha (in Ohio), David (in this tp.) and Jos. N. (in Colorado). Mr. Geisinger departed this life July 20, 1876, leaving a valnable farm property of 200 acres. Jno. W. Geisinger enlisted in the war for the Union, in the 100th Ind. Yol.. as a private, and was promoted Captain for meritorious conduct; Samuel enlisted as a private in the 74th Ind. Vol., was honorably discharged, but i-e-entered the service in the 100th.

Adam Griner, liver}^- stable proprietor and City Marshal, was born July 3, 1853, the son of Philip and Saloma (Mathnensmith) Griner, natives of Pennsylvania; was liberally educated in the common school and Middlebury graded school; followed farming; in 1870 he married Loretta Hani, formerly a school-teacher in Lagrange county, and they have 5 children: William F., born Sept. 9,1871; Nina P., Julv 30, 1873: Ilda I., March 3, 1876; Jessie R, Dec. 28, 1878, and Eva L., May 17, 1880. After marriage Mr. Griner commenced farming on his own account, but failing health caused him to dispose of his farm, and move to Middlebury; with some hope of benefitting his shattered constitution he made an extended tour through the Northwest. In 1877 he commenced the livery business iu Middlebnry, which he still conducts, with success. Every spring he also does a great deal of grafting, which is a prominent industry in this community. Mr. Gr. has been Marshal two terms, and is a Democrat.

Phillip Griner, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 37; P. O., Middlebury. There are but few citizens of this tp. more widely known or more universally esteemed for their kindly disposition and excellent traits of character than the above named gentleman. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born near the city of Harrisburg in the year 1813, and is a son of Philip and Margaret Griner, also of Pennsylvania. During the spring of 1836 Philip accompanied his parents to "Wayne county, Ohio, where he was married in 1837, to Miss Fannie Cochnoure, and their 3 children are: Barbara, Mary, and Simon. Mrs. G. departed this life, in the county above mentioned, June 20, 1846, and Mr. G. was married April 2, 1848, to Miss Siloma Smith. Some years after the decease of his second wife, Mr. Griner was married to Sarah Jacobi, of Stark county, Ohio, in 1853. Mr. Griner ranks among the more successful farmers, now owning 120 acres of fertile farm land and a beautiful residence. He is a member of the Lutheran Church.

Alfred Haines was born Aug. 25, 1816, iu Pennsylvania, and is the son of Samuel and Mary (Wireman) Haines, natives of the same State and of German descent. They removed to Ohio about 1852, where Alfred attended the common schools, and also acquired a knowledge of the carpenter's trade; when about 18 he learned the cabinet-making business in Indiana, where the family had removed to about 1S67. He continued to work at the carpenter business, and as contractor and builder erected some of the finest residences in Middlebury tp. Vn. December, 1871, he married Anna Nusbaum, a native of Ohio, and they have 3 children whose names and ages are as follows: Melvin, born June 6, 1875; Orlando, born Oct. 18,1876; Delia E., born Dec. 28, 1878. Mr. H. has followed carpentering and building until within a short time, having recently entered into partnership with Mr. jSTusbaum in the furniture and undertaking business, in which they are having quite an extensive trade, being the only firm of any magnitude in that line in Middlebury. Mr. H. is an enterprising business man and has met with a fair share of success; himself and Mrs. H. are members of the German Baptist Church.

Samuel Haines, farmer and stock-raiser, is the eldest son of Frederick and Susannah (Shultz) Haines, natives of Pennsylvania, and was born in that State Sept. 6, 1820; he received the ordinary common-scliool education of his period, and followed farming. The death of his father, which took place when Samuel was about eighteen, rendered it necessary that he should take charge of the farm, which he conducted for his mother and the younger members of the family until his marriage, about 1841, to Mary Wireman. Mr. and Mrs. Haines have 5 children, as follows: Henrv W., born Oct. 3, 1842; Harrison H., July 1, 1843; Alfred, Aug. 25

1846; William, Jan. 30, 1850; Howard L., Oct. 6,1854. Mr. H. after his marriage remained some 13 years in Pennsylvania, actively engaged in farming;^be then removed to "Wayne county, Ohio, and after a residence there of about six years, he removed to Middlebury tp. in the spring of 1859; here he is pleasantly situated, enjoying the fruits of an industrious and well-spent life. He and Mrs. Haines are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Wm. P. Ham, M. D., is a creditable member of the medical fraternity. He was born in Ohio in 1843. His father, jSTicholas Ham, was a native of Switzerland, and his mother of Pennsylvania. The Doctor received his preliminary education in the common schools of Ohio; worked upon the farm, and when sufficiently advanced became a teacher. In his ISth year he began the reading of medicine; at '20 he entered the medical department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, taking a course of practical medical lectures; he then entered the medical department of the State University of Iowa, at which institution he had the degree of M. D. conferred upon him. In May, 1864, at the age of 21, after graduating, he established himself as a physician in the town of Dundee, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio. He passed a very creditable examination before the State Medical Board. He was appointed, previous to this, a medical officer in the volunteer service, by John Brough, then Governor of the State; he received his appointment and commission as Assistant Surgeon in the 175th Ohio Inf.; after nine months' service he resigned his commission, owing to failing health; he remained at home until he regained his health, when, at the urgent request of Surgeon-General Barr, he was recommended as Assistant Surgeon of the 53d Ohio Vol. Inf., with which regiment he remained until mustered out of the service and houorably discharged. After his retirement from the active scenes of war, the Doctor associated himself in the medical profession with his former preceptor; he remained in practice here until the spring of 1866, when he settled at Middlebury, Ind., where he soon gained an extensive practice. He possesses a tine medical library. Through life he has been unusually successful, and to his credit be it said, is literally a self-made man.

The \&teDr. W. G. Harper was born in Lancaster, O., in 1803; came to Indiana about 1835, and died in 1880. He was married at White Pigeon, Mich., Oct. 17, 1838, to Miss Emily Sargeant, a native of Lee, Berkshire Co., Mass., the daughter of Dr. Erastus Sargeant, of that town. Of this marriage were born, William, Aug. 23. 1840; Charles A., May 2, 1843; Jeannette S., May 12, 1845, now Mrs. Josiah Adams, of Jackson, Mich.; Sarah, Oct. 21, 1847; Alexander, Feb. 21, 1851; John, Sept. 4, 1855; and Mary Keeler, May 13, 1862. Mrs. Harper was a devout member of the M. E. Church, and an educated and estimable woman. She departed this life Feb. 25, 1875.