Niles Township (part 1 of 2)

Niles- Township

The Mississinewa River enters the township near the southwest corner, and, flowing northwest for a distance of one mile, changes its course, and flows nearly west, leaving the township at the southwest corner of Section 30. .

Estey Creek rises in the northeast part of the township, and, flowing west for a distance of about three miles, changes its course to southwest and forms a confluence with the Mississinewa in Union Township.

Thomas Creek has its source in the northwest quarter of Section 13, and, flowing west and southwest, joins the Mississinewa east of Granville.

Half-Way Creek is a small stream in the eastern part of the township, its entire length being scarcely more than four miles. Flowing south, it discharges into the Mississinewa at a point near the southern extremity of the village of Albany, in Delaware Township.

A thorough system of artificial drainage in the low lands has increased their fertility to a very marked extent, and throughout the township fine farms are the rule.

Here, as in nearly all the townships of the county, the major portion of the timber has been cleared away to make room for the cultivation of the land, and the demand, in late years, for walnut, poplar, and the several varieties of oak, has offered a farther inducement for. the removal of these species of timber and their transportation to market.

EARLY SETTLEMENT. ; For a number of years after settlements had been effected, and considerable progress had been attained in other townships of the county, the territory now embraced by Niles was still almost an unclaimed wil-

_ derness, with only an isolated settler here and there. The tide of immigration which populated the other townships did not set in here until after the most desirable lands in other localities had all been claimed and entered. Perhaps its remoteness from the inhabited part of the county may explain, in part, the tardiness of its settlement, as it could not have been due to the nature of the soil, which is probably excelled no where in the county. |

A citizen of the township who settled here in 1835 (Samuel C. Clark) remarked to the writer that, at that date, he could have traveled from his claim to Fort Wayne without passing the habitation of a human being, excepting the cabin of the old Indian, Godfrey, on the Salamonie River.

It is not improbable that some of these lands were occupied at quite an early day by a class of people who are now generally designated as "squatters," who did little more than follow the wild game, or hunt the wild bees for honey. They, however, left no traces to identify them with the history of the locality in which they lived, and it was almost uniformly true of this class that they kept as far away from the settlements as the game which they pursued. Their penetration into the haunts of savage beasts and savage men displayed a boldness and courage worthy a better purpose, and, had they so elected, they could have

There was another class, also known as "squatters," but who were different from the last named in all essential particulars. These were industrious men, who, living in the older States, and laboring on rented farms, saw their opportunities for advancement rapidly diminishing, and the probabilities of becoming freeholders growing constantly less favorable. Some of our best pioneer citizens belonged to this class. Locating ona tract of Government land in the West, they held their claims by

As to who was the first permanent settler in this township there is no positive evidence. It is stated that, as early as the year 1828, a man by the name of Hessenflow came and erected a cabin on the east bank of the Mississinewa, near Granville. He is the first settler of whom there is any account, and it is not improbable that he was one of the class who held their claims by the right of pre-emption, for his name does not appear in any of the early records as a purchaser of land. Some one perhaps entered the land upon which he located and dispossessed him. |

The real tide of immigration did nor set in until about the year 1833, although there were some who settled in the township prior to that time. Among these were Peter Thomas, Samuel Kyle, William Battreall and Samuel Gregory, who, with their families, settled near Granville in 1830 and 1831. | township. An accurate list of settlers who purchased land from 1831 until 1839 is furnished by the tract-book and the names are here reproduced. The various sections of the township were purchased by the

Elder John Buckles

The subject of this sketch is the great-grandson of Robert Buckles, whose father was a wealthy landlord of England, and had twelve sons. Robert left England at the age of seventeen years, and emigrated to the American colonies, about the year 1685. He married, and had three sons. James, the oldest, married Sarah Gerard, a sister of Parson Gerard, of Virginia. Five sons were the fruits of this union, one of whom - John, the oldest - married Mary Brooks, sister of David Brooks, a Baptist minister of the State of New Jersey. They had seven sons, of whom David, the father of our subject, was the second. David married Elizabeth Covault, who bore him eight sons, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest.

He was born in Warren County, Ohio, December 21,1812. On the 10th day of. August, 1883, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Northcut, in Miami County, Ohio, where she was born August 7, 1815. Her father was born in North Carolina, and her mother in Kentucky. |

In September, 1841, Elder Buckles came with his wife to Del-. aware County, Ind., and was one of the earliest settlers in the northeastern part of Niles Township. He erected a log cabin, 14x16 feet, containing but one room, and was occupied, for many weary months, in clearing away the timber from his farm, and reducing it to a state of cultivation. He was compelled to travel nine miles to mill, and from eight to seventeen miles to market, and, in 1842, sold dressed pork at $1.25 per one hundred pounds, in order to obtain money wherewith to buy leather for his children's shoes.

Baptist Church, in Niles Township. In 1845, he was licensed to preach, and, in 1846, was ordained to the full work of the ministry, being chosen Pastor of Mississinewa Church, which relation he has continued to occupy since that time, and has given the hand of fellowship to every member of that church. He has visited and preached in six States of the Union; has crossed' the Alleghanies twice, and had pastoral care of four churches at the same time, traveling from one to forty miles, and visiting his charges once a accumulated a sufficiency of worldly goods to place them in comfortable circumstances, and enable them to enjoy many of the luxuries of life. | struggle for American independence, and took up arms in defense of this country against foreign aggressions and the incursions of Indians, during the war of 1812-15, and were found in the ranks, defending the Union against the rebellion of 1861-65. They have ever been true to their country, and, as ministers, faithful to their church.

Source changes here: from A Portrait and Biographical Record of Delaware County, Indiana :, published 1894; 18,578 words in this source stream.

Niles- Township

HARLES W. ANDREW is a native of Niles township, and is a young man of more than average ability as a farmer. He has taken hold of things and is making money by strict attention to his business. He was born September 8, 1866, being the son of James and Nancy (Allen) Andrew, of Irish and English descent, respectively. They went to Greene county, Ohio, at an early day, and settled near Trebine station, where the father owned a large farm. The father remained with his parents until he grew up, married early in life, and started out for himself. After his marriage to Nancy Allen he removed to Delaware county and settled on a farm of fifty acres that now forms the home of his son, Charles W. Some jmars later he went into the grocery business in tne village of Parker, but tnis life did not suit him and he traded for the farm he had parted with. Here he settled down contented, and lived a farmer until his death. May 4, 1881. His remains rest in the Bethel cemetery. By two marriages he became the fatner of ten children, seven by the first, namely: Martha A., wife of Calvin McCoy; William L. , died soon after the war; Rankin, a grocer; Molly G. , wife of James Jellison; Sally J., wife of Samuel Dill; Talitha and Nancy, deceased; by tne second marriage he had three children, namely: Lillie E. , Effie E., deceased; and

Charles W. , whose name opens this sketch. He was a farmer and an active worker in the republican party. He owned a good farm of fty-three acres, which is well improved.

Lewis end Martha (Williams) Collins, natives of Ohio. Her parents settled in Perry township, Delaware county, Ind., at an early day on a farm of 160 acres near New Burlington, where he spent many of his days. His wife is buried in the Burlington cemetery, and he lives in Albany. Lewis Collins had one brother, namely: William, and Mrs. Collins had four brothers, namely: Morrison, Sampson and Laban, farmers; and Elias, a retired farmer. The mother of Mr. Andrew was a member of the Christian church.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew resulted in two children, namely: William L. and Nellie F. Mrs. Andrew has two sisters, Minnie F. , the adopted daughter of a farmer named Lunn, living in Iowa, and Laura, deceased, buried in the Granville cemetery. The mother of Mrs. Andrew was buried in the same place. Charles W. Andrew received a start in life from his mother, who now makes her home with him. He and and his wife have a good common school education, and are very much esteemed by all their neighbors.

OHN S. ANDREW. - One of the most industrious, energetic, and hard working men of this farming community is James S. Andrew, whose comfortable and well appointed farm is located in Niles township, Delaware county, Ind. He was born in this township, November 24, 1853, son of James and Nancy (Law) Andrew, natives of England, who had settled in Greene county, Ohio, coming from thence to Delaware county in 1845. After living here some time they moved to Randolph county, to a small hamlet named Parker, where he engaged in the dry goods business, five years later removing to another farm located in Perry township, where he remained two years, and then bought back the first farm that he had settled on. He was a good man, and both he and wife were members of the United Presbyterian denomination. She died in i860, and he May 4, 1881, both being laid away in Bethel cemetery, where a fine monument marks their last resting place. John S. Andrew was one of the following family of children: George F. , a farmer; William, who died in the army; John S., Rankin H., a grocer; Garl W., a farmer; Martha, the wife of Calvin McCoy; Mary G. , wife of James Jellison; Sarah S., wife of Samuel Dill; Elizabeth, deceased; and Nancy.

John S. Andrew was married February 17, 1876, to Miss Ida F. Bryan, daughter of Milo and Elizabeth (Cannon) Bryan, natives of Ireland and England. They came from Ohio in 1869 and settled on the farm where they now reside, a beautiful tract of 120 acres. The families on both sides are long lived. Mr. Bryan's brothers and sister are Almira B., wife of John Smith; Mary J., deceased; Wesley, in the dry goods business; Joseph, a farmer; Levi, deceased, and William F. , retired. The family of Mrs. Bryan was as follows: Randolph, a farmer; Wellington, engaged in the livery business for a period of five years and then returned to the farm, buying his present home of forty acres. He engages in stock buying and finds this very profitable, as he understands how to manage it, in connection with his farming. He has made many improvements on his place and built his fine new house in 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew belong to the Methodist church, in which he holds the positions of steward and class leader.

AMES BALES is an influential citizen of Niles township, Delaware county, and was born in Greene county, Ohio, August I, 1821. He is the son of Jacob and Dorothy (Hickman) Bales, of Irish and German descent respectively. These parents went from Virginia to Ohio a number of years ago, settling near Jamestown, on Caesar creek, where they spent their days and died, the father in April, 1865, and the mother in 1872. They were highly respectable people, members of the Methodist church, and their remains were laid to rest in what is known as the Shirk cemetery, Greene county, Ohio.

farmer; James, a farmer; Sarah, wife of John Jones; Elizabeth, wife of Adam Shirk; Rebecca, wife of John Beale; Louis, a farmer; Laban; Amanda, wife of C. H. Spahr; John, a farmer; Dorothy, Mrs. C.H. Harness; Jacob and Leon, the last two and Mrs. Shirk deceased. James Bales was married November 20, 1842, to Melinda, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Kimmell) Shirk, natives of Virginia. Jacob and Catherine Shirk were the parents of eleven children, namely: Jemima, wife of

Bales; Adam, a farmer; Jacob, deceased; Henry, a farmer, and William, a farmer. By his marriage with Miss Shirk, Mr. Bales is the father of eleven children, namely: David M.,

Alfred R., and Henry, farmers; Hannah, wife of Isaac Wingate; Leah, wife of William Frank; Laban, a farmer; Melinda J., wife of Morrison Klugh; James H., a farmer; Jacob L. , a farmer; John, a furniture dealer at Dunkirk, and Cyrus. The mother of this interesting family of children died September 5, 1892, and was buried in the Strong cemetery. She was a worthy member of the Methodist church, and a woman of many noble qualities of mind and heart. Mr. Bales came to Delaware county, September 19, 1853, settled in the woods, built a log cabin, and endured the usual hardships incident to pioneer life. He now owns 240 acres of land, which is well improved, and has one of the most comfortable and pleasant homes in Niles township, where he is spending the declining years of life in the enjoyment of the fruits of his early labors.

HNDREW J. barley is a native of Niles township, Delaware county, and is an industrious and honest farmer, respected by all who know him. He is the son of John and Lavena (Haines) Barley, of German descent. The parents went from Virginia to Greene county, Ohio, May 4, 1812, and lived there until 1838, when they came to Delaware county. Here the father entered land and proceeded at once to clear the forest. After a while he disposed of his farm and went to Illinois, but did not remain long, and on his return bought the farm of eighty acres in this township, where the widow now lives.

daughter of Cyrus and Cynthia (Beal) Bales; her parents being of Irish descent, and natives of Ohio, who came to Indiana in 1851 and settled upon a farm, then in the woods, where he now resides. The brothers and sisters of her father are: James, Lewis and Laban, farmers; Rebecca, wife of John Beal; Elizabeth, wife of Adam Shirk; Sarah, wife of John Jones; Amanda, wife of Creighton Spore, and Dorothy, wife of Creighton Harness. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Rachel Bailey are: John, Evan, Stephen, William, Aaron, and Samuel, farmers; Rachel, wife of Henry Andrew; Louisa, wife of John Finley; Mary A., wife of Henry Beech, and Rebecca, wife of Louis Beason. The union of Mr. Barley with Miss Bales resulted in five children, namely: George A., Wilda M. , Eva L. , Mary F. and an infant deceased. Mr. Barley first located on a farm in Niles township, where he lived six years, and finally settled on his pleasant farm in the same township, consisting of forty acres of well improved land. John Barley died March 12, 1884, and was laid to rest in the Eaton cemetery. Mrs. Lavena Barley was a pious member of the Methodist church, and her people were hard shell Baptists.

r^ILLIAM D. BARLEY is one of the large land holders and prominent business men of Niles township, Delaware county, Ind. , who has a war record of which he is justly proud. He was born in Greene county, Ohio, near the city of Xenia, March 23, 1838, a son of John and Lavena (Haines) Barley of German and Irish ancestry. They came from the state of Virginia in 1828, and settled on a farm in Greene county, Ohio, where they remained until 1 840, when they came to Niles township, and settled on eighty acres of land in the forest. Many of the early settlers selected the woodland on account of the proximity of water, which in a new country is a necessary object to keep in view. In the wilderness they built a log cabin in a little clearing, and dismal it was at first, no doubt, but the hearts of our pioneers were strong, and from that lonely beginning, and life of hardship, grew up a fine home, and a sturdy family gathered at the hearthstone. The first place was sold after improving, and the present home farm of eighty acres was bought, and here the father lived until his death; his remains now lie in the Eaton cemetery. His brothers and sisters were: Samuel, a farmer by occupation; Mary, the wife of Isaac Carkuff; the family of Mrs. Lavena Barley is as follows: William F., a farmer;

Philip, a trader; Elizabeth C., the wife of Edmund Boots; Cyrus H., deceased; Mary C., the wife of Aaron Boots; Angeline, wife of Samuel Barley; Evaline R. , wife of Archie Peterson, Daniel, deceased; and Samantha, deceased. Her people are all buried in the cemetery at the old home in Clinton county, Ohio. Mrs. Barley and son, William D., reside together. She and her husband reared a family of twelve children, of which William D., is the eldest, as follows: Samuel K., deceased;

John A., a farmer; Peter A., and Andrew J., also farmers; Mary E., the wife of George W. Koile; Evaline V., the wife of Samuel Hoffman; Martha E., the wife of Morgan Wilson; LuveniaA., the wife of Marion Shirk; Emaline J., the wife of John B. Shiller, and Angeline S., the wife of Newton G. Weaver.

William D. Barley has always made his home with his mother, until lately, when he purchased the home and the adjoining land, and now has a farm of 210 acres. He is a carpenter by trade, and worked at this for a period of seventeen years. Early in life, having had good school advantages, he taught for eight terms. On Februar)' 13, 1865, he enlisted in company B, One Hundred and Forty-seventy regiment, Indiana volunteers, at Richmond, Ind. From there the regiment was sent to Charlestown and then shortly to Berryville, Va. , and on to Harper's Ferry, where he was discharged August 4, 1865. He had performed all the duties of a soldier and came home unscathed, going to work at his trade. He is a member of the G. A R. post, of the I. O. O. F. , and of the Red Men. He has now retired from farm labor, finding more congenial and easier employment in the buying and selling of cattle. He is an industrious and enterprising man, highly respected by all who know him, and in politics is a republican.

OHN BEAL, retired farmer and prominent citizen of the town of Albany, was born and reared in Greene county, Ohio, about seven miles southeast of the city of Xenia, near Paintersville, on the 1 8th day of March, 1821. His father, George Beal, was one of the old Quaker settlers of that region, moving there in early life from his native state, Pennsylvania, where his ancestors for many generations had resided. By occupation he was a tiller of the soil, and he is remembered as a steady, honest citizen, honorable in all his transactions and eminently respected in the community where so many years of his life were passed. His death occurred in Greene county, Ohio, in the year

John Beal spent his youthful days in the above county and state, and became a resident of Delaware county, Ind., about forty years ago, settling in Niles township, of which he is now one of the oldest citizens in point of continuous residence. He followed farming very successfully until 1893, at which time, owing to advancing age and a competence acquire by years of patient toil, he retired from active life to the town of Albany, where he owns a beautiful home, in which the declining years of his life are being passed. Mr. Beal's first marriage was solemnized in Greene county, Ohio, about the year 1844, with Rebecca Bales, who bore him thirteen children, but four of whom are living at the time of this writing.

Like the rest of mankind Mr. Beal has frequently been called to pass through the deep waters of affliction, his children having been taken from him, one by one, and about eleven years ago his faithful wife, who had been his companion for so many years during the earlier and later struggle of life, was summoned to her final home by the unsparing hand of the grim destroyer. Death. Subsequently Mr. Beal chose for a wife Mrs. Eliza- (Stafford) Warfel, widow of Daniel L. Warfel, late resident of Centre township, this county. By her previous marriage, Mrs. Beal had seven children, four of whom are living at this time. Mr. Beal has always been a very industrious man, and as a reward of his thrift and economy, he is now enabled to live in a manner befitting one who has battled so long and so successful!}^ with the world. A democrat in politics, he has never been an office seeker; and a member of the Old School Baptist church, his daily walk and conversation have ever been in harmony with his religious profession. His life has been fraught with good works, and the future awaits him with bounteous and abundant rewards.

AVID M. BELL is a worthy and good man who lives in Niles township, and is greatly respected by all his neighbors. He was born in Jay county, Ind., September 8, 1842, the son of David and Lydia (Kyles) Bell, the parents being of Scotch-Irish descent. They went from Greene county, Ohio, in 1835, and settled in Richland township. Jay county, on a farm of eighty acres, which he entered up; there he lived until his death, February i, 1850. The mother died on the old homestead August 15, 1887. Their remains are buried in the Bethel cemetery, where a fine monument marks their last resting place. The brothers and sisters of David M. are: Samuel K., a plasterer; William C., deceased; John D. , a farmer; Nancy A., wife of Joseph Levally; Sarah E. , wife of Louis Levally; and Lydia M., Freeborn and Viney R. , the last three deceased; George and Nathaniel, farmers.

Grandfather Bell was a land surveyor in the early days of this country, and his father was a sea captain. Grandfather Kyles came to Delaware county, Ind., in 1836, and entered eighty acres of land, upon which he lived and died, and his remains are buried in the Bethel cemetery. The brothers and sister of Mrs. Lydia Bell were: Delilah, wife of Philip Harness; Elizabeth, wife of Gideon Sparr; Sarah, wife of Daniel Colet; Savilla, wife of George Maxwell, Ezekiel D., a farmer; John S. , a brick maker; Julia A., wife of David Pollock, and Seth A. , a merchant and farmer.

David M. Bell has had his war experience and has proved himself to be a valiant soldier. September 22, 1861, he was mustered in as a private in company D, Second Indiana cavalry. Forty-first regiment Indiana volunteers, and served in the army of the Tennessee, through the campaign from Shiloh, or Pittsburg Landing, to the front of Atlanta, and was mustered out October 4, 1 864.

David M. Bell was married, at the age of twenty-four, to Lucinda, daughter of Abraham and Magdalen (Flummer) Cemer. She was born February 6, 1846, is of German descent, and her parents came from Pennsylvania to this state in an early clay and settled on a farm in Niles township, where the mother died, and her remains lie buried in the Bethel cemetery. The father died in Howard county. Mrs. Lucinda Bell had the following brothers and sisters; Jacob, born December 6, 1830; Louisa, born July 23, 1832; Nancy, born

March 18, 1836; Hester, born September 8, 1838; Mary and Jane, twins, born October 18, 1840; Abraham, born July 2, 1843; an infant brother, who died; William, born June 7, 1848; and Samuel, born March 8, 1851. After his marriage, David M. Bell moved upon the farm of seventy-seven and one-third acres, where he now lives. By his marriage he is the father of five children, namely: Laura

E., died June 15, 1884; Cora A., John E. , Oran E. and Wilbur V. The parents of these children are active workers in the Methodist church. Mr. Bell is a member of the Odd Eellows encampment, as well as the subordinate lodge, and also of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. and Mrs. Bell are most worthy people, and are held in the highest esteem by every one that knows them.

eDWARD BLACK is a very prominent and popular citizen of Niles township, who was born in Clarke county, Ohio, December i, 1818. He is a son of Andrew and Susanna (Ross) Black, both of Irish descent. The parents left Virginia and went to Ohio in 1805, settling in Clarke county, where they spent the remainder of their days. The mother died September 25, 1845, the father followed October 18, 1854. The latter entered 160 acres of land, and added 160 acres more, which he cleared, and had in a fine state of cultivation before he died. Their remains are buried in the Black cemetery, in Clarke county, where a suitable stone marks the place of their sepulture. Andrew Black was born in 1773, and Susan in 1771, and they were the parents of the following children: John, a farmer; Samuel E., a farmer; Mary, wife of Charles Mitchell; James, and William, farmers; Thomas, deceased; jane, wife of Ralph Stafford; Andrew, a farmer; Edward, and Susan, wife of James Stafford. The father had the following brothers and sisters: Samuel, John, James, William, Jane and Crockett. The mother had ten or eleven brothers and sisters, most of whom reached maturity, and all of them proved worthy and good people.

Edward Black remained on the farm with his father until the year before his marriage. The name of his wife was Mary Brammer, daughter of Edmund and Nancy (Hatfield) Brammer, both of French descent. They went from Virginia to Lawrence county, Ohio, with their parents, grew up there and married, and then moved to Fayette county, Ohio, staid there a short time, and then, in 1837, came to Delaware county, Ind. Here they purchased eighty acres of land. Success favored Mr. Brammer, and in all he owned 313 acres of good land. Here he spent the rest of his days, passing away in 1887, his wife having died in 1873. Their remains rest in Black cemetery, in Delaware county. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Brammer are as follows; Roland, a farmer; Mary, wife of Mr. Black; Melinda, wife of Alfred Richey; Rachel, wife of John Cochran; Rebecca, wife of Augustus Hance; Aaron, a farmer; Elizabeth, wife of James Black; Henly, a farmer; Malina, wife of William Cochran, and Sarah, wife of David Brammer. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Black's mother were; Nancy, wife of Mr. Brammer; Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Lee; Eliza, wife of Washington Sanders; Sarah, wife of Henry Brammer ; Isaac, John, William, Henly and Calvin, farmers. The brothers and sisters of the father of Mrs. Black are; Anna, wife of jas. Fudge; Artie, James, John, Roland, Henry, Jesse, Edmund and William, farmers. When Mr. Black first started in Delaware county for himself he bought 320 acres of land, all in timber, located in Niles township, paying $900 for the same. He had to endure the hardships of life in a new country, but he has the pleasure of knowing that he is surrounded in his old days with peace and plenty. At one time he owned 570 acres, but had generousl}^ divided it among his children, giving his boys 120 acres each, and the girls eighty acres each.

James, married to Elizabeth Harshman; Edmund A , married to Mary J. Stewart; Melinda J., wife of Samuel McDonald; and Susaannah E., wife of John M. Fudge. When Mr. Black first settled on this farm he built a little frame house, fourteen by sixteen, and got eight acres cleared the first year. Game was abundant,- and he almost supplied his family in meat from this source. He has eighteen grandchildren, and one great grandchild. No family in the township is held in higher i esteem than that of Mr. Black, every member of it being a worthy and good person. He is a republican.

AMES B. BOSMAN, farmer of Niles township, Delaware county, Ind. , was born in Ross county, Ohio, October 15, 1858, son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Lister) Bosnian, of Irish and English ancestry, They emigrated from Maryland to Ohio in 1832 where they remained two years, and then came to this county and township. Here they entered 160 acres of land and immediately began the clearing of it, remaining upon it unti 1876, when they removed into the village of Dunkirk. Their residence there did not exceed one year, and then they went back to the farm, where Mr. Bosman is still living in very comfortable circumstances. He reared a family of four children: James B., John W. , who is engaged in the breeding of fast horses; A. N., a farmer, and Nancy J., the wife of Joseph Thomas.

James B. Bosman remained at home during boyhood and attended the common schools. When he had reached his majority he engaged in farming and married Miss Mahala Thomas, daughter of Samuel and Martha (Smith) Thomias, natives of Indiana. Mrs. Thomas died in 1857 and is buried in the Union cem- I etery. Mr. Thomas now resides in Dunkirk, j He is a member of the Masonic order and both he and wife were connected with the I Methodist church. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were as follows; Josiah, a farmer; James, a carpenter; Amanda R., wife of John Ray; Martha, wife of A. J. Wilson; John, a blacksmith; Elizabeth, wife of John Williamson; Emma, wife of George Shatto, Henry, a painter, Jacob and the wife of Mr. Bosman. Mr. Thomas is a stone mason by trade.

Mr. Bosman received eighty acres of good land from his father, which he has improved and lives upon with comfort. He is a republican in his political convictions, and Mrs. Bosman is a valued member of the Methodist church. They have one child, Willie Eorest.

the mother of Maryland. William Boyd went from New Jersey to what is now West Virginia in i8i I, and there lived with his father on a farm, after which he married and died there. He became the father of the following children: Jane, wife of Bnjamin Felton; John,

William and James, farmers; Sarah, wife of Thomas Hatfield; Mary; Elizabeth, wife of Andrew Frume; Cornelius, Laverna, wife of Alta Stelle, and Margaret. The father of these childi'en had two sisters and two brothers, namely; Archibald, Andrew, Catherine ond Margaret. Mrs. Rebecca Boyd had six brothers and two sisters, namely: James,

Cornelius Boyd was married at the age of twenty-four to Martha, daughter of Benjamin and Ann (Doolittle) Jacobs; her parents were of German and French descent, and born in West Vijginia, where they grew up, married, reared a family, and died. Their children are named as follows; Joseph, Raleigh, John Jacob, Benjamin and Thomas, farmers; Susan, wife of Michael Smell; Jemima, wife of Thomas Tarlton; Martha, wife of Cornelius Boyd; Rebecca, wife of Edgar Stephen, and Nancy.

When Cornelius Boyd came to Delaware county he chopped wood for two years; then engaged in farming seven years, at the end of which time he went to Kansas; a short stay satisfied him and he was willing to come back to Indiana. He rented a farm in this county and lived on it for one year, after which he purchased, in 1883, a farm of 120 acres in and near Granville. Mr. Boyd came to Indiana in March, 1864, being compelled to leave Virginia on account of the war, he having been treated as a bushwhacker. The first year Mr. Boyd lived in Indiana he cleared $800 by chopping wood. Early in life he followed teaming, working at it for fotrteen years, and driving a six horse team the entire time. Mr.

Boyd was the second man that drove a team in what is known as the Big tunnel on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, and his entire load consisted of shovels, picks and wheelbarrows. Mr. Boyd has always been a hard working man, and very kind to his neighbors and to the poor. Eight children have been born to him and his wife, namely: Olive M., died

September, 1863; Nancy, wife of Riley Stafford; Rebecca F., wife of Roily Wright; Susan; William, a farmer; Nora; and Malinda, who died in September, 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd are active and pious members of the Methodist church. He is a member of the order of Red Men, in which body he is much esteemed. In politics he is a republican, and votes the straight ticket of that party every time.

AMES C. BULLOCK is an enterprising and greatly respected farmer of Niles township, who was .born in Greene county, Ohio, March 31, i860. He is the son of E. J. and Narcissa (Strack) Bullock, natives of Ohio and New York respectively. The father came to Ohio with his parents, where he grew to manhood, married, and where he lived for several years afterward. Then he came to Delaware county, where he bought a farm of 100 acres; lived upon it for some time; then sold it and bought the farm of 120 acres upon which John C. now lives. The father has retired from farrriing, and lives at Dunkirk, Jay county, Ind. The father had the following brothers and sisters; William H., a farmer; Hamilton J., a farmer; Anna, wife of J. H. Hoover; Morgan, deceased; Susan, wife of James Goddard. The brothers and sisters of Narcissa Bullock, are; Mary A., wife of Jesse Hobblet; Abbie, wife of William Johnson; James, a grocer; John, a farmer; Amanda, wife of William Turner;

Margaret, wife of Hiram Turner; Samuel, a farmer; Minerva, wife of Henry Turner. E. J. and Narcissa Bullock had the following children: William H., a farmer; Samuel S. , a painter; James; Charles M.. a farmer; Eugene, worker in a glass factory; Louis, a farmer; John, a factory hand; Emma, single; Frankie, Maggie, Alfred, and Melda, the four last deceased.

James C. Bullock remained at home until he was twenty-one years old, and then married Arabelle, daughter of William and Mary (Haines) Reed. Her parents are natives of Ohio and Virginia respectively, and after their marriage came to Randolph county, Ind. , in 1865. Her father bought a farm of 160 acres, upon which they still live. Her parents had the following children: Sarah R. , wife of

William Bullock; Arabelle; Levi, a farmer; Mahlon; William S., a farmer; Cornelius, a school teacher; and the following who are single: Phebe E., Gilbert, Charles, Oscar,

Verna, Rollie, Gertie and Blaine. The family are members of the Methodist church. Three children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. James C. Bullock, namely: Mazie, Zorah N., and India. The father of James C. came to this county at an early day, and endured the hardships of a pioneer life. With his own hands he built a farm house, he being a carpenter, and then went to work manfully, and cleared sixty acres of his farm, upon which he lived for twelve years. This he sold, and bought 160 acres two miles west of his first purchase, where he lived eleven years, and then bought his present farm at Dunkirk. He works at his trade, but takes it easily because he has a right to do so after so many years of toil. James C. is running the farm to the | entire satisfaction of his father. James C. is a zealous republican, and does all he can to help along the party, believing it to be the party of the people.

YLON COLBY is a prosperous citizen of Niles township, and a native of New York, having been born February 18, 1824, near Buffalo. He is the son of Alvin and Sarah (Morton) Colby, of English and German descent. His parents came from New York to Illinois in 1834: lived there five years, and returned to their old home, where his father died March 21, 1841, the mother living until September 15, 1883.

After the death of his father, Hylon Colby and his mother kept the family together, he working at the carpenter trade, and his mother at the spinning wheel. Since his marriage, and the death of his mother, he has devoted his entire time to the farm. Alvin Colby had the following brothers and sisters: John, Arad, Jesse, farmers; Alvin, a carpenter; Asa, a turner, and Mary, wife of John Drake. Sarah Morton had two brothers and two sisters, namely: Hylon, a mason and farmer; Freeman, a farmer; Belinda, wife of Shadrach Harris, and Abigail, wife of John Bigford. Hylon Colby had two sisters, namely: Belinda, wife of Enos Hunt, and Ellinor, wife of Charles Gilger.

Hylon Colby was married November 16, 1849, to Amelia, daughter of Zachariah and Amelia (Chellis) Hunt, of German and English descent. Her parents were born in New York, where they spent all their days in Erie county; her father dying in 1850 and her mother in 1848. By his marriage with Amelia Hunt, Hylon Colby is the father of four children, namely: Augustus, a teamster; Estella, wife of Hillus Irey; Lillian, wife of John Price; and Emma, deceased. Mr. Colby and his wife were first settled in New York, lived I there one year, moved to Illinois, and then to Lake county, Ind. Here they lived for six years on a farm of eighty acres. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Colby's father were: James, a farmer; Daniel, deceased; Hugh and Thomas, merchants; Margaret, wife of Jerry Woods; Ellen, wife of John Wetherington; Jennie, wife of Peter Newlon; Elizabeth, wife of C. R. Bell. Her mother had one brother, John, a farmer, and a sister, Sarah, wife of Elijah Corban.

After separation he was married to Mrs. Sarah Bundrant, his present wife. She has been a resident of Indiana for seventy-four years. When her husband, Mr. Bundrant, first came here in 1840, he entered eighty acres and bought forty more. It was then a wilderness, and located one-half mile east of Mill Grove. Here he lived for three years, and then moved to Fayette county and lived four years, then returned to the Mill Grove farm, where he lived six years, then to the present farm, where Mrs. Golby now lives. This was in 1854, and he died November 6, 1864, and was buried in the Bethel cemetery.

The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Golby are: John, aged seventy-five, a farmer; Robert, aged seventy-eight, a farmer; Amos, aged eighty-one, a farmer; Thomas, aged sixty-five, a farmer; Hannah, wife of William Evans, aged eighty-six; Mary, wife of Richard Nuzman, aged eighty-four; Lucinda, wife of Orville Mcllwain, aged seventy; Sarah, wife of Mr. Colby, aged seventy-three; Lizzie, wife of William Vanmeter, aged fifty-three. Her grandfather, Woster,was 102 years old when he died. Her grandfather Miliner was ninety-four, her father was sixty-six and her mother eightyseven when they died. Mr. Colby has lived with his present wife for eighteen years, and by hard labor they have succeeded in making a fine home, with the well improved farm of eighty acres. They are very much respected by all who know them.

Mr. and Mrs. Colby hold their lives in peace and are now enjoying in comfort the fruits of their early industry, surrounded with every convenience that makes life enjoyable.

0^ ALVIN CROOKS is a worthy and honest citizen of Niles township, who ^ was born in Delaware county, Ohio, August 17, 1829. He is the son of George and Susanna (Cowles) Crooks; the father being a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother of Connecticut. They lived and died near Ashley, Ohio, the father passing away in 1835, and the mother in 1875, ^^nd they are buried in the cemetery near that place.

Calvin Crooks was married January 14, 1855, to Harriet, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Becker; her people being natives of New York, who settled in Huntington county, Ind., where the father bought 320 acres of land, and here spent the remainder of his days; passing away in September, 1853. When Calvin came to Indiana he settled first at Warrentown, Huntington county, and lived there four years; then came to Granville, Delaware county, and went into the general merchandise business, which he followed twenty-six years. Since that time he has lived a retired life, caring for his property interests. He owns a farm of 160 acres, and a half interest in ninety-six acres of well improved land. Calvin Crooks and his wife are members, he of the Missionary Baptist, and she of the Christian church. Mr. Crooks is a member of the Masonic order, and is much interested in that body.

Harriet, wife of George Sheller: Clara, wife of Carl Blakely; Orland, a butcher; Bessie and Walter. The mother of the two eldest children died January 16, 1863, and was buried in the Granville cemetery. Mr. Crooks remained single one year, and then married Priscilla Batreall, but she was privileged to life but a short time, and she passed away March 15, 1878, and was buried in Granville cemetery. He was next married December 14, 1881, to Priscilla, daughter of Vincent and Elizabeth (Yates) Martin. Her parents were born and reared in Ohio, and came to Indiana, Delaware township, this county, in 1833; lived there some time, and then moved to Union township, where they died - the father February 14, 1880, and the mother

The brothers and sisters of the present Mrs. Crooks were: Jonathan, a teacher; Mary, wife of J. W. Lewis; Isaac, deceased, and Phebe, wife of Isaac Flynn. Vincent Martin had the following brothers and sisters: Susan, wife of John Lewis; Jirard, a farmer; William, a carpenter, Catherine, wife of James Black; Martha, wife of Liberty Ginn; Mary, wife of William Custer; Lydia, deceased, and Elizabeth, wife of Sampson Williams. The brothers and sisters of Elizabeth (Yates) Martin were: Thomas, a farmer; Susanna, wife of

Carmine Carvault; Elizabeth; Phebe, wife of Joshua Lockworth; Priscilla, wife of Shubal Starbrook; Rebecca, wife of John Bowen; Saphron, wife of Alfred Miller, and Mary, deceased. The people of the present Mrs. Crooks are all members of the Baptist church, and are very worthy and good people. Mr. Crook's first wife had one brother and three sisters, namely: James, who died in the army during the war; Helen, wife of J. Boyd; Almira, wife of Posy Martin, and Lavina, wife of John Pribble.

EWIS W. DAVIS is a leading farmer and stock raiser of Niles township, and one of the representative citizens of the county of Delaware. His family history is an interesting one and he traces his ancestry back through several generations to \Vales, from which country one Charles Davis, the progenitor of the American branch of the family, emigrated to America as early as the year 1724. Charles Davis married a Miss Metcalf and reared sons and daughters, among whom was John, who married Molly Chamness. William Davis, son of John, married Anna Marshall and became the father of Joseph, who, by his marriage with Catherine Farmer, had several children, one of whom, Nathan, was the father of the immediate subject of this mention. From the most reliable information obtainable, the family appears to have settled, originally, in North Carolina, from Surry county, of which state, Joseph and Catherine Davis emigrated, in the year 1808, to Ohio, settling in Montgomery county, thence, about 1823, moving to Wayne county, Ind. Joseph Davis purchased a farm of 160 acres in the county of WMyne, upon which the remaining years of his life were passed. He reared the following children: Nathan, father of the subject of this mention; Mary, wife of David Baldwin; William: Annie, wife of Newton Baldwin; Hannah, wife of Dan Thornburg; John and Edom.

In AVayne county Nathan grew to manhood, and then married Hannah Moore. The brothers and sisters of the latter were: Anderson, Marshall, William, Zimri, Mrs. Rhoda Pickering, Mrs. Charity Marshall, Dempsey and Rufus Moore. The Moores were moral and religious people, having been reared in the pure, simple doctrines of the Quaker faith. At that time it was the custom to serve out whisky upon nearly every occasion, and the subject's grandfather was the first man in his section of the county who had the moral courage to break away from the time honored custom and refuse absolutely to have anything to do with any kind of intoxicants.

Lewis W. Davis was born May 22, 1841, being one of a family of seven children, whose names are as follows: Newton B., Martha A., wife of Jesse Reed; Rufus H., Mary E., deceased; Catharine, deceased, and Sarah A., wife of Eh W. Frazer.

Mr. Davis grew to manhood on a farm, and began the pursuit of agriculture on his own responsibility in Henry county, where he lived two years, moving thence to the county of Randolph. In the latter, he was united in marriage, on the lOth day of August, 1867, to Miss Lucinda Jones, daughter of Jacob and Matilda (Chappell) Jones, natives of Surry county, N. C. For ten years after marriage Mr. Davis resided in Randolph county, dividing his time between farming and school teaching, in both of which his success was most encouraging. Later he returned to Henry county, where he lived for a period of two years, at the end of which time he became a resident of the county of Delaware, locating upon the present beautiful place of Niles township, where he has since resided. At this time Mr. Davis owns a fine farm of 170 acres, the greater part well improved. In addition to general farming, he gives considerable attention to stock raising, being considered one of the leading men in this line of business in Niles. Politically, Mr. Davis is a stanch supporter of the republican party, and as such takes an active interest in all the leading public questions of the day. He served four months in the late war as member of company B, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth regiment, Indiana volunteer infantry, but did not participate in any battle. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic, Odd Fellows, Red Men and Grange orders, and in religion belongs to the Christian church, | of which the different members of his family are also communicants. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are the parents of five children, namely: Elmer J., a well known teacher of Delaware county; Lenora, wife of Samuel Wilson: Orpha M. , wife of Aaron C. Wilson; Charley N., and Bertha A.

Davis is the daughter of Jacob and Matilda (Chappell) Jones. The parents of Jacob were James and Lydia (Bramblet) Jones, and their other children were Lemuel, Solomon, Jesse, Ambrose, Jonathan, James, Free, Mary, Jane and Lydia. Mrs. Matilda (Chappell) Jones was the daughter of Amos and Mary (Johnson) Chappell. The following are the names of her brothers and sisters: David, Joshua, Reuben,

Atkins; Joshua C. , married Mary Ann Collinsworth; Jonathan P. , married Susan Covalt; Lydia, wife of James P. Dykes; Sarah Jane, wife of David N. Kimball; Nancy, wife of Lewis W. Main.

Jacob Jones and wife moved from their North Carolina home to Ohio many years ago, and from the latter state to Henry county, Ind. , where he purchased land and resided until reaching the advanced age of eighty-nine years. He died January 18, 1889, and was laid to rest in Hillsborough cemetery beside his wife, whose death occurred on the 24th of June, 1824. He served in the war of 1812, and was a member of the Protestant Methodist church for many years. Mrs. Jones belonged to the Christian church, of which she was a ] very valuable member.

aHARLES DUDELSTON (deceased) was a highly respected citizen of Niles township, Delaware county, Ind., was born in Ohio, March 9, 1836, being the son of Ralph and Nancy Dudelston. He came to this county with his parents when nine years old and settled with them in Hamilton township, on a farm, where he grew up to manhood. Charles Dudelston was married March 6, 1858, to Susanna, daughter of Abra- ham Gray, and the newly married pair settled upon a farm just across the road from the land upon which his widow, Mary A., now lives. Susanna Dudelston died March 23, 1877, 3.nd was buried in the Granville cemetery, after having borne her husband five children, namely: Amanda, wife of Hamilton Bell; Savannah, wife of William Addingtcn; George, a farmer; Anna, wife of Albert Needle, and Dorcas, deceased. Mr. Dudelston remained single for about six months, and then was married to Mary A., daughter of James and Sarah (Taylor) Goodrick, her parents being of Gorman and English descent, respectively. They came from Ohio to Delaware county, Ind., in 1850, and settled on a farm, in Harrison township, consisting of forty acres, where they yet live. The brothers and sisters of Charles Dudelston were: Belle, deceased; Frances, wife of Frank Lee; Lucinda, wife of William Stanley; Florence, wife of Charles Winnop; Alice, wife of John George; Harriet, wife of Samuel Rogers; George, Alonzo and Goldston, deceased.

Charles Dudelston was married to his present wife September i, 1877, and they moved to the present farm of 100 acres; here he died November 3, 1889, and was buried in the Granville cemetery. The children of this union are: Ralph, Josephine, Ella, Mary and

Charles Dudelston. Since his death the worthy wife has kept the little flock together by managing the little farm, and has done it very well, indeed. He left her the little home of fifty-two acres, well improved, and she has kept it up in excellent shape. The deceased was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a kind father, a devoted husband, and a good neighbor, respected by all who knew him.

$54 per quarter, and this, with what she gets from the farm, enables her to keep the wolf away from her door. She is a brave and good woman, who bears her burden cheerfully as she ma)q and is greatly respected by her neighbors, who admire her for her courage in taking upon herself the grave duties of mother and farmer, and discharging them with such good, practical sense.

OH. DEVOE, deceased, was one of the most worthy and enterprising farmers of Niles township, Delaware county, Ind. , of which he was a native, and was born February 7, 1867, son of Asa and Mary (Smith) Devoe, both being natives of England. The father came from Greene county, Ohio, in 1862, and settled on Green Street, Niles township, on a farm consisting of eighty acres. After living here for five years he sold out, and purchased 160 acres of well improved land, on which his son, O. H., lived, having had eighty acres in his own right. O. H. Devoe remained at his comfortable and parental home until November 19, 1891, when he was married to Miss Malissa, daughter of L. B. and Margaret (Leaird) Wilson, natives of Indiana. Mr, Wilson followed the occupation of a farmer, and, with his wife, settled, in 1850, on a farm consisting of 120 acres, which was near Granville. In this pleasant location he lived until November 15, 1878, when he was called to the other world, and was laid to rest in the Bethel cemetery. After her husband's death, Mrs. Wilson moved to Dunkirk, where she now resides.

O. H. Devoe was socially a member of the I. O. O. F. , being in the encampment. His wife is a Rebecca in the I. O. O. F. , of which she is secretary. She was highly educated and taught two terms in a public school. Mrs.

Devoe also possesses a fine talent for music, and displays her accomplishment for the entertainment of her friends. Mr. Devoe and his wife were blessed with one child, who is now deceased, having left the beautiful home of its parents for a more beautiful one above. Mr. Devoe was politically a republican, and took great interest in the helping along of his party. He was well known and highly respected throughout all of the country, and his death, which occurred in the spring of 1893, was not only mourned by the surrounding members of his immediate family, but deplored by his many friends, who felt that in him the county had lost one of its most useful citizens.

AMES FLANNERY is a well known and popular citizen of Niles township, where he has lived and prospered for many years. He was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, at Dayton, December 26, 1850; being a son of John and Mary (O'Brien) Flannery, natives of Ireland. His parents went to Ohio at an early day, and settled in Dayton, where the father worked as a laborer some years, and then became a farmer. The parents were members of the Catholic church.

James Flannery was thrown upon the tender mercies of the world at the early age of twelve, when he went to Darke county, Ohio, and worked for several years on a farm. Then he got a position on the Panhandle railroad, becoming presently a section hand; then went with the fencing gang; then was on the road, and finally became a brakeman on a local freight. He then went to Union City, Randolph county, and staid there some time, working on a farm. From this place he went to Dunkirk, Jay county, Ind., and was a ditcher for four years. At this time he married Rosetta Vincent, daughter of William

H. and Cynthia (Hole) Vincent; her father being a native of Ohio, and her mother of Maryland. Her grandparents came to Delaware county, Ind., and settled on the farm where Mr. Flannery now resides; her grandfather having entered the land, eighty acres, which he cleared and improved. This worthy man lived to be eighty-three years old, and was buried in Bethel cemetery, where his wife also lies, she dying when seventy-three years old. Upon the death of her grandfather her father came into possession of the property, where he reared his family, and then died Januai'y 6, 1878, her mother living nntil April 30, 1890. Her parents are buried in the same cemetery as her grandparents, a fine monument indicating the spot. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Flannery are - Margaret, wife of Frank Srack; Manaen, a farmer; David O., a farmer; Louisa J., deceased; and Elizabeth. The father of these children left, at his death, 360 acres of land, eighty of which includes the farm of Mr. Flannery, the remainder having been divided among the brothers and sisters of his wife. William Hole made his life a decided success, financially. He was socially inclined, and was a member of the Masonic order. In religion he was a Methodist, and an active member of that body.

The marriage of Mr. Flannery resulted in the following children; Katie; John, died November 3, 1889, and buried in Bethel cemetery. The farm of Mr. Flannery consists of the eighty acres referred to, it being land well improved. In politics he is a democrat, and a strong supporter of that party.

AMUEL LEAIRD is a man of seventy, full of vigor, and one who has acquired a good property by the labor of his own hands. He was born in Greene county, Pa., July 13, 1823, being the son of

Ephraim and Rebecca (Oregon) Leaird. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania and of German and Irish descent. His father came from Pennsylvania to Delaware county, Ind , in 1833, and settled in Union township, remaining here for some years. When the gold fever was at its height, he went to California, remained there one year, and came back and married. Then he went to Missouri, but that country did not suit him, so he came back to Delaware county, and ended his days here, his last years being spent with his son, Samuel. The father died in February, 1865, and the mother in February, 1851, and were buried in the Leaird cemetery, on the old farm he once owned. They were members of the Methodist church, and consistent members of that body.

The brothers and sisters of Ephraim Leaird were: Robert, a stonemason; Samuel, a carpenter; George, a farmer; Mary, wife of Samuel Price, and Anna, wife of Russell Williams. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Rebecca Leaird, were: Samuel, a farmer;

Noble, a minister of the Methodist church; William, a farmer; James, a farmer; Mary, wife of Benjamin Clark; Elizabeth, wife of Andrew Gregg; Margaret, wife of Robert Carl, and Wesley, a farmer. The brothers and sister of Samuel Leaird are: John Wesley and William, farmers, Elizabeth, wife of John Corner; Nancy, wife of Samuel Bryant; Martha; Margaret, and Anna, wife of J. W. Keeman. Samuel Leaird was forty-five years old when he married, his wife being Mary J., daughter of Henley and Barbara (Stover) Hatfield, her parents being of German descent. They came from Ohio to Delaware county, where they spent the remainder of their days; the father dying in 1848, and the mother in 1880, and both are buried in the Granville cemetery. The father of Mrs Leaird had three brothers and three sisters, namely:

John, James and Washington, farmers; Nancy, wife of Edward Brammer; Sarah, wife of Washington Sanders, and Elizabeth, deceased. Mrs. Leaird's mother had two brothers, Joel and John, and two sisters, whose names are not remembered by her. Mrs. Leaird had the following brothers and sisters: Louis, George, Henley and Joel, all of whom fought for their country during the war; Reuben, died in infancy; Evaline, wife of Moses Clark; Rebecca, wife of Jacob Walters, and two half sisters, Lydia and Nancy Baissinger.

Samuel Leaird first settled upon a farm in Union township, just across the road from where his house now stands. It consisted of I 52 acres, and by hard work he has made himself a fine farm and comfortable home. Mr. Leaird is a member of the Christian church, and his wife of the Methodist church. They are highly respected and much esteemed by all who know them. They are the parents of four children, namely; Margaret A., George, Estella, and Burt H. George died in August, 1872.

rAFAYETTE LUCAS, late well known r farmer and prominent citizen of Niles ^ township, was a native of Virginia, born on the 28th of February, 1825, in the historic old county of Greenbrier. He left the Old Dominion in 1839, going to Greene county, Ohio, where, on the 6th day of October, 1848, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Smith, daughter of John and Margaret (Burl) Smith, both parents natives of Virginia. The following are the namies of the brothers and sisters of the wife of the subject: Burl Eleanor, wife of J. Ford; Mary J., wife of Asa Deboe; Margaret, wife of J. Clark; Nancy, wife of William Mendenhall; Alfred; Emily, wife of J. Bosman, and Elizabeth, wife of William St. John. The father of Mrs.

Lucas was a man of local prominence and for many years filled the office of justice of the peace; he and wife were active member of the Baptist church and are remembered as a most estimable Christian couple.

Shortly after his marriage, Mr. Lucas, thinking to better his financial condition, came to Indiana and settled in Niles township, Delaware county, purchasing a part of the home ; farm, which is still in possession of his family. I He improved this place well and in time it j became one of the most valuable and desirable farms in the township, and his home was known far and wide as the abode of generous and large-hearted hospitality. His marriage, in the year above noted, resulted in the birth of eight children, namely: Franklin, who was killed by lightning on the 16th of July, 1869; Martha J., born October, 1850; George W., born February 13, 1857; Louis, born July 17, 1858; Lafayette, born November 4, 1859; Margaret, wife of William Wilson; James A., born September 8, 1864, and John, born June 22, 1867.

Mr. Lucas belonged to that large and highly respectable class of citizens who pursue ' the even tenor of their way" and do much in a quiet and unostentatious manner toward promoting the moral and material well being of the community. He lived a long and useful life and died deeply lamented by all who knew him, on the i6th day of April, 1877.

AMES E. McDANIEL is a well known farmer and stock dealer of Niles township, Delaware county, where he resides upon a fine farm of ninety acres. It is a good and well improved farm, which once was the property of his father in law. Mr. McDaniel was born in London, Madison county, Ohio, August 10, 1855, son of A. L.

and Mary E. (Moxey) McDaniel, of Scotch and Irish ancestry. They lived in Greene county, Ohio, for fifteen years, and then removed to Indiana, where they spent their declining years. Mr. McDaniel, Sr. , was a stock dealer, buying and shipping. His family were: William, a farmer ; James, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church; Logan, a farmer; j Amanda, the wife of W. L. Lloyd; and Judith,

I the wife of James Donalson. The maternal j uncles and aunts of our subject were: Malinda, the wife of Addison Smith; Anna and Charles. Both Mr. and Mrs. McDaniel were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and they reared the following children: Harry, afarmer; Chauncy, a carpenter; Elma E., the wife of Russell Davis; and W. L. , a painter.

James E. McDaniel left home at the age of sixteen, and engaged in driving a team for a liveryman, but soon became tired of this, and after one year returned to the farm. He remained at work cn the farm for a year, and then hired out to a stock buyer, and followed i that occupation for a period of eight years, subsequently going into the business for himself, and keeping at it until his marriage, which took place April 27, 1882, to Miss Linnie L. Smith, daughter of Benjamin and Emily (Peterson) Smith, natives of Germany and of West Virginia. They came to Ohio, where they lived for thirty years, and then removed to Niles township, Delaware county, Ind. , where they spent their last years. Here Mr. Smith purchased a farm of 240 acres, upon ninety of which Mr, McDaniel and family reside. The mother of Mrs. Mc- Daniel died Eebruary 5, 1881, and the father May 5, 1888, and they were laid to rest in Eaton cemetery. They reared the following family: Mary A., wife of John Barley; Charles, a stock dealer; Sophia L. , wife of G. R. Lowe; Louis L. , a farmer; M. R. , Linnie and Emma A. , the wife of Charles Miller. Mr. McDan- iel deals chiefly in trotters and draft horses, and is known as the owner of the great Hambletonian trotter, "Speedy." The family have a long time back been members of the Methodist church, the grandfather of our subject having been a minister in that denomination in 1775.

OHN S. MANOR. - Among the well kept farms which show the attention of a wise and intelligent manager, is that owned by John S. Manor, of Niles township, Delaware county, Ind. It was a present to him by his father, and he has made of it the pleasant home where he lives in peace and plenty. He was born in Richland township, Jay county, Ind., January 16, 1851, a son of David and Jane (Shirriard) Manor, natives of Ireland and Germany. Mr. Manor came to Jay county in 1834, where he entered 160 acres of land, built a log cabin and began the clearing of the forest. Almost all of the farm was cleared by his own hands, and he was ver}^ industrious and hard working, and before his death accumulated a great deal of property. At that early day game was still abundant, and the family was well supplied with venison and turkey for the killing. Mr. Manor died August 5, 1890, and was buried in the Fairview cemetery in Randolph county. He was class leader and steward in the Methodist church, of which the family had long been valued members. Mrs. Manor still lives on the home farm of 200 acres which was left to the widow and children. Of the latter there was a family of sixteen, eleven of them still living. Their names are as follows: Mary C., the wife of William Rees; Samuel, a farmer; William and John S., likewise engaged; Rosa A., the wife of James Lord; Martha, the wife of Charles Havling, Hannah, the wife of Sam Dowden; Harriet, Charles, a farmer; Emma,

John S. Manor remained under the parents' roof until he was thirty-three years of age, when he married, his wife being Miss Sarah Strong, the daughter of Napoleon and Catherine (Wolverton) Strong, who had two other children, Elmer and Emma. Mr. and Mrs. Manor have two children, Herbert S., and David E. He is a republican in his politics and socially he is connected with the Red Men. Mrs. Manor is a valued member of the Christian church. They are people greatly esteemed in their neighborhood, and Mr. Manor is one of the best citizens.

ANIEL B. MOORE is one of the prominent agriculturists and enterprising citizens of Niles township, Delaware county, Ind. His grandparents were residents of Canada, but his birth took place in the city of Wilkesbarre, Luzerne county. Pa., October 29, 1839, a son of John R. and Sarah (Bodle) Moore, natives of Ireland and of Germany. His parents removed from Pennsylvania to Illinois in the spring of 1855, where they remained until the time of their demise, the father dying April 17, 1863, and the mother November 12, 1869, and they were laid to rest in Henry county. 111. They were good and worthy people, the father being a deacon in the Baptist church, in which both were esteemed members. Mr. Moore, Sr., was a justice of the peace for many years and also taught school.

Daniel B. Moore made his home with his parents until the time of his marriage, when he was twenty-eight years of age. He had received educational training in the public schools and was an intelligent and apt pupil, and when he started out for himself was a capable man of business. He chose for his wife Miss Kate Weinman, daughter of Christian and Kate (Wolf) Weinman, natives of Germany, born in Wurtemberg, who came thence to Philadelphia and from there to Illinois. They settled in Henry county, that state, on a farm of i6o acres. By trade Mr. Weinman was a butcher, and both he and wife were members of the Lutheran church. He died December 27, 1869, and the mother died February 22, 1886, and they were laid to rest in the Weathersfield cemetery in Illinois. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Weinman were: George F., a butcher by trade; Margaret, wife of William Wolf; Edward, a farmer; Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Lincoln; Mary; Joseph, a farmer, and Kate, who became the wife of Daniel B. Moore December 4, 1 867. The family of children born to the parents of Mr. Moore consists of six: Sarintha, the wife of PI. C. Merritt; Robert, a farmer; Susan, the wife of Tracy Sykes; Daniel B. ; John, a meixhant, and Sarah, the wife of Daniel A. Bigelow.

Daniel B. Moore first located on the old homestead, where he carried on farming for several years, but in 1874 he moved to Indiana and went into the lumber business, but later purchased the farm of 160 acres where he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have two children, Kate C., the wife Daniel Storer, and Annie Mabel, yet single. Mr. Moore is a member of the Masonic order and has taken a prominent part in the affairs of the township. He was one of the first advocates of the pike roads, and, although there was much opposition in some quarters, he finally carried his point and the people are grateful. He is the president of the Ndes Natural Gas company and is very highly regarded, in every way, as an enterprising and excellent citizen. The family are members of the Missionary Baptist church, in which body he is a trustee, and all his acts conform to its teachings.

ANIEL N. PETERSON. - This name is one well known in Niles township, Delaware county, Ind. , by those who gladly turn from the rough country by-ways and enjoy the pike road known as the Peterson & Black Pike road, the best in the township. He was considerably instrumental in having the road built and the gratitude of the traveling public is his.

Daniel N. Peterson was born in Greene county, Ohio, November ii, 1839, son of Jacob and Deborah (Mock) Peterson, natives of Virginia and of German extraction, the father born November i, 1806, and the mother December 28, 1807. They removed to Greene county, Ohio, entered land, and there the father died September 7, 1863, and the being in Greene county. They were members of the German Reformed church. The brothers and sisters of Mr. Peterson, Sr., were Gatherine, the wife of Joseph JBoots; Samuel, a retired farmer; Christina, the wife of Solomon Bergdoll; Hannah, the wife of George I man; Mary, the wife of Jonathan Ketterman; Joel, Jacob and Eelix, farmers, and Moses, deceased. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Deborah Peterson are as follows: Hannah, wife of John Calhoun; Lydia, wife of Thomas Lucas; Mary, wife of William James; Cynthia, wife of Perry Kilgore; Catherine, wife of Ezra Compton, and Daniel, John and Hezekiah, farmers. These are well known names through the county.

Daniel N. Peterson remained at home until he was married, November 27, i860, to Miss Martha A. Eord, daughter of William and Harriet (McDonald) Ford, natives of Virginia, who went to Clinton county, Ohio, in 1838, and settled on a farm, where his death took place in June, 1845, his wife surviving him three years. The brothers and sisters of the mother of Mrs. Peterson, are Louis, Bailus,

Miss Emily E. Peterson

Mary, Martha and Harriet, and the brothers and sisters of her father are Chancellor, James, Mary and Elizabeth, wife of Grayson Humpston. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Peterson are Mildred, deceased; Sarah, wife of Jacob Peterson; James, John, deceased; William, deceased; Emily, deceased; Bailus, deceased; Mary E., wife of Silas Adsit; Martha (Mrs. Peterson) ; Charles, deceased, and Elizabeth wife of James Ashley. The brothers and sisters of Daniel L. Peterson are Lydia C. , the wife of Allen Long; Hiram, deceased; Mary E. , deceased; Jacob L. , a mechanic, deceased; Virginia, wife of James R. Babb; Amy, wife of Martin Snyder, and John M., a farmer.

Daniel N. Peterson first settled on a farm in Greene county, Ohio, where he remained until 1865, and then came to Delaware county, Ind , and located in Niles township on a farm of eighty acres, nearly all of it cleared and well improved at this time. In the township he has been a most faithful man of affairs, serving as trustee for a period of ten years, which was a longer term of office than any other ever held in the township. It was during his administration that the splendid pike road was built of which he is superintendent, and he also was the means of having six brick school houses erected in the township. He is well educated himself, and desires that the present generation shall have every advantage. Mr. Peterson is a stanch republican and a prominent member of the party in local circles, his first vote having been for Lincoln. He is socially connected with the F. M. B. A., and is one of the best citizens, of whom too much can not be said. He has an adopted daughter who bears the name of Carrie Peterson. Mr. Peterson has been very unfortunate in some ways, having been injured very seriously by a mowing machine some time ago, and one year since was caught in a barn door, by which he was hurt again, having

I Mr. Peterson has been a member of the j Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is a j steward, and in which for twelve years he was i a class leader. Mrs. Peterson united with the church at the same time as did her husband, j and they have since remained consistent memj bers of the same.

ACOB F. PETERSON has shown that economy and good management will result in the accumulation of a good property. He was born in Greene county, Ohio, being the son of Moses and Melinda (Juda) Peterson, both of German descent. The parents of his father and mother went from Virginia in 1813, to Greene count},

! Ohio, and Moses and Melinda Peterson were married in 1827. They owned 320 acres of land in Greene county, where they died; the father in 1867, and the mother in 1865, and are buried in the Xenia cemetery. They were \ the parents of nine children, namely: Emily,

Moses Peterson was the brother of the following: Samuel, Joel, Felix, Jacob, farmers; Catherine, wife of Joseph Boots; Mary, wife of Jonathan Ketman; Christina, wife of Solomon Bargdel; Hannah, wife of George Iman. The mother of our subject had one brother and two sisters, namely: Absalom, a farmer; Susanna, wife of William Shook; and Penina, wife of John Sparr.

Jacob F. Peterson was married at the age of twenty-two to Sarah, the daughter of William and Harriet (McDonald) Ford, of i Scotch-Irish nativity. The parents of the

1850, and both sleep their last sleep in Antioch cemetery, Clinton county, Ohio. They were the parents of the following children: Mildred, deceased; Sarah, wife of subject; Emily, died September ii, 1836; Mary, wife of Silas Addsit; Martha, wife of D. A. Peterson; Anna E. , wife of James Ashley, of Illinois; James, a farmer; Mary, single; John, died September 11, 1839; Balis, died in 1842, and Charles, died in 1856. Her parents were members of the Baptist church. Jacob F. Peterson settled, after reaching twenty-one, on the old homestead, and lived there until August, 1 866, when he moved to Delaware county, Ind., and settled on his pleasant farm in Niles township, consisting of 325 acres of land. It was then but partly cleared, but is now a beautiful home. A fine structure occupies the place of the old cabin, and it is surrounded by very substantial barns and outbuildings. Mr. Peterson has been very successful in his farming operations, and owns 325 acres of splendid land. He and his wife are very worthy members of the Methodist church, and are most useful in that body. They are the parents of a large and interesting family, namely: William, a carpenter; Newton, a farmer, married to Ella McDaniel; Lawson, a farmer, married to Rosa Devoe; Emily, was killed by a runaway horse, April 14, 1891; Florence, wife of Judson Bryan; Martha C., wife of John Murphy; Frank, married to Martha Brammer; Clair, wife of Ed Brammer. The entire family is held in highest respect, and are esteemed by the people of the township, and by all who know them. The Peterson family is highly moral and altogether upright in its walk through life, each member adhering in good faith to his religious convictions.

^^p^ILBUR PETERSON is a well-to-do Mm I citizen of Niles township, Delaware county, and was born in Greene county, Ohio, November 23, 1840. He is the son of Moses and Malinda (Juda) Peterson. (See sketch of Jacob Peterson ) Wilbur Peterson was married November 20, 1868, to Sarah J., daughter of Samuel and Angeline (Haines) Barley, natives of Virginia, who moved to Ohio at an early day; lived there for a number of years, and then moved to Niles township, where the father entered eighty acres of land. Here they lived until the death of the I mother, when he came and made his home with his son, Wilbur, until his death, October 24, 1886. The mother died February 23, 1883. The father of Mrs. Peterson had one brother and one sister, namely: John, a farmer, j and Mary, wife of Isaac Carkuff. The parents of Mrs. Peterson were consistent members of the Methodist church. Her father, at one time, owned 259 acres of good land, which he gave to his children, they being named as follows: David, a farmer; Esterline, wife of Amos Foreman; Kindrick S., deceased, and Charles E., a farmer.

After Wilbur Peterson married he settled in Ohio, near Xenia, where he remained one year, and then moved to his present home in Niles townsaip, where he owns a fine farm of 662 acres. His father gave him, when he started out for himself, $3, 500, and his wife was given fifty-eight acres of land by her j father. By this marriage there are four chil- I dren, namely: Samuel M., Emma J., Effie F. , j and Mary A. Mr. Peterson makes stock raising his chief business, and is very successful at it. He and his wife are members of , the Methodist church, in which body they are recognized as sincere Christians. Mr. Peterson is a member of the G. A. R. and of the the order of Red Men.

in company D, One Hundred and Tenth regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, at Xenia, and went to camp at Pickaway; then to Parkersburg and remained there three weeks; thence to Clarksburg, Va. ; and then to New Creek station. From the latter place he went to Cumberland, Md., where he was taken sick and remained in the Kelly hospital for a short time, was then taken to the Olive hospital, where he remained a month, and was then discharged. He soon, however, joined his company just in time for the battle of Gettysburg. From this place his company went to Philadelphia, then to Baltimore, and afterward joined the army of the Potomac. They remained at Culpeper C. H. for three or four weeks; then marched to Bristol Heights, where they had a severe engagement and drove the enemy to the Rappahannock. From this point his regiment moved to Belton Station, where it had another engagement; then at Kellys' Ford the enemy was driven to Brandy Station, where another battle was fought. November 26, 1863, his regiment crossed the Rapidan river and had an engagement with the enemy at Locust Grove. Here Mr. Peterson was wounded and laid up for several weeks. When he recovered he was sent with his regiment to re-enforce Gen. Ward, and marched twenty-four miles from 10 A. M. until 3 o'clock of the following morning. He has always been a republican, and he and wife are Methodists. He is also a member of the G. A. R. and the Red Men.

AVID G. RACER. - To possess the comforts of a home that is all one's own, and to live apart from the jostling crowd of the city in an air which is pure and sweet, this is real living; while the sojourner of the noisy and ill-smelling place filled with houses, and people does but stay here upon earth. When to the health of the country are added, as in this case, the esteem of friends, and the respect of neighbors, this indeed is the sum of all living. David C. Racer was born in Washington county, Ohio, December 18, 1816; being the son of Dennis and Mary (Haldron) Racer, they being of French and Scotch descent, respectively. The parents of Mr. Racer went from Pennsylvania to Washington county, Ohio, in the year 1800, and lived there until 1847, when they removed to Indiana. While they were living in Washington countj^, D. C. Racer was born near Marietta. When his parents settled in Indiana they occupied the farm upon which he now lives and which he owns. His brother entered the land, and he subsequently purchased it of him. Here it was that his father and mother lived and finally died, the mother February 23, 1871, and the father September 13, 1871. They now lie side by side in the John Black cemetery, after a married life of seventy years. The mother of our subject was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. The children by the marriage of this estimable pair were: Joseph, lost off a steamer, in Arkansas, in the Red river; Mary, deceased; Susan, Elizabeth, and Melissa, also deceased; Dennis, died on on the way to California, and was buried at sea; David, a farmer; died in Iowa; Anna, wife of James Poser; and James, a farmer, died in Ohio. The father of David C. Racer has a brother and sister, Benjamin, a farmer; and Mary, wife of Henry Straight. The brothers and sisters of his mother are: John, who died at the age of one hundred; Joseph, died at the age of seventy; Colman, died at the age of seventy; Rebecca, wife of J. McVery; Ruthy, wife of Daniel Dowlton; and Nancy, wife of William Guilky.

I 840. The parents of Mrs. Racer came from Pennsylvania to Athens county, Ohio, in 1838, where they settled upon a farm of 120 acres. There the parents finally died, the father in 1877 and the mother in 1856; being laid away in the cemetery at Athens, after forty years of happy married life. They reared a family of nine children, as follows: Mary, wife of James McWhorter; Thomas, a physician; Melinda; Catherine, wife of George Canny; Anna, wife of Samuel McKibben; Elias, a farmer; and Silas and Samuel, deceased. Beside these, Mrs. Racer has the following half brothers and sisters: Nancy, wife of John' West, John and Benjamin 'V., farmers.

The parents of Mrs. Racer were members of the Methodist Episcopal and of the Presbyterian churches, respectively, her father being a class leader in his church. The grandfather of Mrs. Racer owned 800 acres of land in Washington county. Pa.

When David C. Racer first came to this country he was very much annoyed by the wolves and the panthers. He has killed fourteen of the former out of fifteen shots and has also brought down many a deer. His market was Muncie' and thither he had to drive his hogs. He and his wife kept house for twenty years before they had a cook stove, and still hnve the kettle they first used, a ten gallon one, which the grandson retains as a momento. Mr. and Mrs. Racer have in their possession a pocketbook, which has been in the family since before the Revolutionary war.

Dennis Racer was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his grandfather was stolen when seven years of age and kept by the Indians until he was fourteen, when he was found and taken back to his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Racer have had by their marriage the following children: James C. , a farmer; Thomas H., a farmer; Sarah, wife of Samuel Stafford;

William C., a farmer; John E., a farmer, and Susan, who died August 17, 1856, and was buried at Granville. David C. Racer was supervisor of the township for a period of three years. At one time he owned 320 acres of land; but he has helped his children and now he owns but 120 acres. He makes it a rule to give each of his children $1,200 when they start out in life for themselves. Mr. Racer is a strictly temperate man and can truthfully say that he never drank a drop of liquor in his life. In politics he is a strong republican and gives to that party a hearty support. Mr. and Mrs. Racer are members of the Methodist church, and they, as well as all the members of the family are highly respected by all who know them.

HDAM shirk. - Among the prominent residents of Niles township, Adam Shirk is well known as a successful, honest and prosperous farmer and stock raiser. He was born April 20, 1824, in Greene countv, Ohio, son of Jacob and Catherine (Kimmell) Shirk, natives of Virginia, who came to Ohio at an early day and settled on a farm situated on Caesar creek, near Jamestown. There the}^ lived and died, the father in 1872 and the mother in 1875. In their early days they were connected with the Methodist church, and the elder Mr. Shirk frequently walked a distance of three miles through the woods to attend divine service, carrying young Adam in his arms. Jacob and Catherine Shirk reared a family, as follows: Alfred, a farmer;

Adam, whose name introduces this sketch; John, Jacob, Henry, William, Jemima, wife of James Dougherty; Sarah, wife of Jesse Bowlen; Malinda, wife of James Bales; Susan, wife of John King, and Mary, the wife of Eli Bales. Adam Shirk has been a hard working man and now takes pardonable pride in his fine farm of 320 acres, which he has earned by his own close attention to business. He moved upon this place in September, 1853, and now has a fine estate, well improved and well stocked He first lived in a log cabin on the place for sixteen years, and then built the present beautiful residence, in which may be found every comfort.

to Richmond, Ind., where he hired a substitute for $800. He married, February 16, 1846, Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob and Dorothy (Hickman) Bales, natives of Ireland and Germany, and to this union seven children have been born, as follows: John, who died January 20, 1852; Amanda J., who died August 10, 1871; Marion, a factory hand; Jacob, a a farmer; William, a farmer; Adam B. , who died August 7, 1871; and Mollie, wife of

Charles Bullock. Mr. Shirk has taken an active part in public affairs in the township. He was for some time drainage commissioner, and socially is a member of the Masonic order and the Patrons of Husbandry. He was master of the grange for four years, and all of his offices have been efficiently filled. He is a member of the Methodist church and one of the leading citizens of the community in which he resides.

ENRY SHIRK, a well-to-do and popular farmer of Niles township, Delaware county, was born in Greene county, Ohio, April 10, 1832, and is son of Jacob and Catherine (Kimmell) Shirk. The father was of German descent, and settled on a farm of 120 acres in Greene county, having come from West Virginia. There he lived until his death in 1872, and three years later his devoted wife followed him to the grave. Jacob and Catherine Shirk were the parents of the following children: Jemima, Sarah, Susan, Alfred, a farmer; Melinda, Adam, a farmer; Jacob, died in the army during the war; Henry, and William, a farmer. - Henry Shirk remained at home until he was twenty-one years old, at which time he was married to Dorothy Bales, daughter of Jonathan and Sarah (Hickman) Bales, both natives of Pennsylvania. Jonathan and Sarah Bales went to Ohio at an early day, where the father bought land which cost him $10 per acre. The father of Mrs. Shirk was a soldier in the war of 1812, in which he served three years, and later filled the office of justice of the peace for a number of years. The parents of Mrs. Shirk were honest, good people, and members of the Baptist church. Their children were four in number, namely: Elizabeth, wife of George

Brickies; Jonathan, a farmer; Leah, wife of Calvin Mullen, and Mrs. Dorothy Shirk; the latter died March 8, 1890, and was laid to rest in the Strong cemetery, where an appropriate monument marks the spot.

Mr. Shirk remained single for one year, and was then married to Mrs. Hannah M. Jones, widow of Matthew Jones and daughter of David and Magdalen (Zimmerman) Baker, of German descent, and natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Muncie in the fall of 1861, and then moved to Dunkirk, where Mr. Baker purchased a farm of 160 acres, upon which his and his wife's deaths subsequently occurred. The wife of Mr. Shirk is a pious member of the Baptist church and is highly regarded in the community. Mr. Shirk has a farm of sixty acres of good and well improved land. He is an honest and hard working man and much respected in the township where he has resided for so many years. His education was received in the common schools, and he is a man of good practical common sense. In politics he is a democrat, and strongly attached to his party.

The first husband of Mrs. Shirk was Matthew Jones, a native of Butler county, Pa., and the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Sanderson) Jones, natives of Pennsylvania. The following are the names of the brothers and sisters of Matthew Jones: Henry, a farmer; Isaac, a farmer; William, a cooper; Betsy, wife of John Marks; Rebecca, wife of Levi Doty; Polly, wife of J. Reed, and Anna Williams, a half-sister. Matthew Jones is the second son, and a cooper and carpenter by trade. By his first marriage, which took place September 24, 1851, in Pennsylvania, he became the father of the following children, namely: Allen R.. Jefferson Z., Magdalen, Catherine, Anna, deceased, and David W. H. Mr. Jones was a member of the Methodist church, and an active worker in that body. He was a member of the Masonic order, being of a social mind, and making many friends. This good man was a kind father, and was highly respected by all knew him.

Greene county, Ohio, in the year 1833. His parents lived and died in Ohio, the father passing away in 1859, and the mother in 1866. They are buried in the Shooks cemetery, in Greene county. The father was a farmer, and he and his wife were highly respected people. They lived and died in the faith of the Methodist church. William Shirk remained at home until he was twentythree years old, and then married Margaret Golder, daughter of John and Emeline (Bullock) Golder. Her parents went from New York to Greene county, Ohio, where her father purchased a farm of loo acres near New Jasper, upon which they lived and finally died; the father in 1883, and the mother August 10, 1890. Mrs. Shirk has two brothers, John W. and Hiram A., both farmers. John and Emeline Golder were members of the Christian church, and are buried in the Jamestown cemetery, in Greene county, Ohio.

Mr. and Mrs. Shirk are the parents of seven children, namely: John A., a farmer; Hiram G. , a farmer; Dorothy E , wife of N. H. Bailey; Jacob M., a carpenter; William S., a farmer; Margaret E., wife of J. C. Eudge, and Laura D., at home. Mr. Shirk came to Niles township, Delaware county, Ind., September 6, 1873, and settled at his present home, where he owns a farm of 160 acres of land, well improved. He and his wife are members of the Methodist church. Mrs. Shirk is a faithful and good wile, coming from honest and hard working parents, who settled in Ohio in an early day, endured all the hardships of pioneer life, a portion of which she herself experienced.

Mr. Shirk was a soldier in the late civil war, enlisting in 1 864 in an Ohio regiment with which he served until July 17, 1865, when he was discharged on account of a wound received in the battle of Buzzard's Roost, Ga. He remained in the hospital for many months and now draws a pension from the government.

^ J 'V R. SMITH is a representative far- I mer of Niles township, who was born V £ ^ in Greene county, Ohio, March 4, 1857. He is the son of Benjamin E. and Emily (Peterson) Smith, both parents of German extraction. The father went from West Virginia to Greene county, Ohio, where he met the lady who afterward became his wife. He lived in that county for thirty-six years, and then came to Niles township, Dela- ware county, Ind. , where he purchased the farm of 240 acres, upon which M. R. Smith now lives. This land was partly cleared when it came into his hands, and he devoted himself to developing and putting in order the fine place, which, at this time, is one of the best farms in the township. At one period of his life Benjamin Smith owned 718 acres of good land. He died May 5, 1888, and his wife February 5, 1881, and both were buried in the Eaton cemetery.

Benjamin Smith had the following brothers and sisters: John, minister; Martha A., wife of Joseph Stowe; Betsy, wife of Levi Gustin; Harriet, wife of William McDaniel; Sophia, wife of Eli Anderson; Louisa; Catherine, wife of Alfred McDaniel. The following are the names of the brothers and sisters of Mrs. Emily Smith: Jacob F. , a farmer; Amanda, wife of Smith Babb; Tena, wife of Andrew Black; Eli, a farmer; Wilbur, a farmer; Harriet, wife of James Anderson; and Ellen, wife of Edward Paget. Benjamin Smith was a very successful stock dealer, as well as a farmer, who made the tilling of the soil a thing of profit. His fellow citizens made him commissioner for nine years, and assessor for two terms. He was an honored member of the Masonic order. He and wife were members of the Methodist church, and highly respected in that body.