Olive Township

Olive Township

When we realize that only half a century has elapsed since this country was but a vast forest inhabited by the fearless Indian, the graceful deer, the howling wolf and the savage wild-cat, we are struck with astonishment at the remarkable progress made in settling up and improving the land of this county, and more particularly of Olive township, to its present prosperous condition. Its beautiful farms, fine residences, commodious churches and schools are indeed attractive and inviting to the passing stranger.

This township is located in the western part of the county, south of Baugo, west of Harrison and north of Locke townships, and adjoins St. Joseph county It formerly comprised 36 sections, but about 1840 the western half was detached and given to St. Joseph county. This township was organized in the spring of 1836 by Cornelius Terwilliger, Jacob Sailor, Frederick Morris, Samuel and Levi Martin and David Allen. After organizing^ Mr. Terwilliger proposed that they christen it " Olive," which was unanimously agreed to, and " Olive" became the name of the township. The above-named persons settled in this township in 1834-'5. Of these Jacob Sailor was the first, having settled here in the early part of 1834. Soon after these settlers came Daniel Mikel, who had been in the county since 1829.

The first election in the township was held in April, 1837, at the house of Isaac Morris. The ballot-box was an old-fashioned sngarbowl. At this election 12 votes were cast, of these only one Whig. This voter was Daniel Mikel, who for six successive years returned to the polls and deposited his solitary Whig ballot, truly exhibiting his cordial sentiments in the original meaning of the word W-h-i-g (i. e., we hope in God). Although alone, help came up from other parts, for the very mountains were swarming with Whig advocates, and he soon saw the ascendency and prosperity of his partyfor at the next presidential election Wm. H. Harrison, the Whig candidate, was elected President of the tJ. S. By and by others came and joined this King David and settled in his immediate neighborhood, and subsequently, as did Mr. Mikel, proved loyal to Republicanism, for which the majority of the citizens of 'this town- ship are so noted. At the first election, as already stated, 12 votes were cast. The voters were, as near as can be ascertained, Daniel Mikel, Jacob Sailor, Sr., Samuel Moore, Sarauel Martin, Jacob Sailor, Jr., Moses Sailor, Wm. Sailor, Cornelius Terwilliger, Isaac Morris, Aaron Meddars, Frederick Morris and James C. Dodge. Mr. Mikel was one of the trustees chosen at this election.

Mr. Terwilliger was the first justice of the peace, and filled that ofiice for three consecutive terms, with general acceptability ; he was succeeded by John Inks, who at the close of his term was succeeded by his predecessor.

In order to meet the requirements of educating the younger generation, which now were moving out on the threshold of life, the old pioneers en masse took from the primeval forest rough, nnhewn logs and erected a cabin on sec. 11. This structure was furnished with slab seats, split-log floor, greased-paper windowlights, and a huge fire-place that would easily receive a log ten feet in length. On a bitter cold winter morning the shivering, halffrozen children would be seated compactly around the "great furnace," thus forming a semi-circle and utterly crowding the "Hoosier schoolmaster" back in the relentless cold. It was only on such occasions that the pupils had the " upper hand " of their teacher. Log school-houses were " all the go " and " style " till about 1848, when they were replaced by frame and brick structures. Religious meetings were held in school and private houses till the year 1866, when the Lutherans erected a church edifice atWakarusa. Messrs. Jesse Flickinger and William Lutz were the principal contributors in this enterprise. The next church house was erected by the Baptist society the following year. The founders of this Church were Mr. Stevens, deceased, and Joseph and Benj. Hughes. In 1874 a church of the M. E. denomination was built by Josiah N. Kronk, Joseph Seaman, Christian S. Farber, David Iker, Geo. Berkey and Geo. H. Gore. The Christians built a house of worship in Wakarusa in 1870, and the principals of this organization were Drs. Shaifer and Knepple and I. C. Bennett, since deceased. In 1861 a Mennonite church was established on sec. 2 by Jacob Wisler, John Weaver, Martin Hoover and Christian Bair. The cemetery near this church was laid out in 1855. It is handsomely divided in wards, and is situated on such a beautiful eminence the passer-by is impressed that that spot was intended by

Providence for the restiug-place for many of the finite creatures of earth, and many of the county's old pioneers and estimable men are buried in tliis place. In 18T8 a minor branch of the old Mennonite society erected a house of worship on the site of the old church, which was erected in 1851, this being the first frame church in the township.

In 1849 a postofiice. designated as Mt. Olive," was established three and a half miles north of Wakarusa. Harvey Bly was postmaster. In 1852, shortly after the location and the laying out of Wakarusa, then '' Salem," the postofiice was removed and established at that point. This town is situated in the southern part of Olive township, and was laid off by Messrs. Holdeman, Smeltzer and Fletcher. In 1859 the name was changed from Salem to Wakarusa, there being another Salem in Indiana.

The first merchants were Thomas Inks and Jackson Woolverton, the latter having bought the first stock of dry goods and notions. Mr. Moon, now deceased, was about the first settler in the town. Thomas Inks built the first house. The village now contains four churches, the Methodist Episcopal, Lutheran, Christian and Baptist; one two-story brick school-house, built in 1878; one stave and heading factory, built in 186- ; one saw and planing mill, built in 1866 by Loucks, Werntz & Co., and now owned by Werntz, Dell & Co. ; two wagon and carriage factories, two harness shops, two drug stores, three shoe shops, two dry-goods stores, one hardware and implement store, one furniture store, one grist-mill, two blacksmith shops, one meat market, one hotel, one millinery store, one barber shop, one saloon, two physicians, one veterinary surgeon, and a population of nearly iOO. There are a number of artesian wells in the place, and the water is of the best quality.

Among the rare personages that are found in the human family, Wakarusa furnishes one which is very remarkable. The person is Stephen E. Lammond. He was born March IS, 1864, in Ohio. His parents are Cortland and Nancy Lammond. He is now in his 16th year, is three feet and nine inches in height, and weighs 60 lbs. He is a very brilliant little man, and reads in the fourth reader, besides other advanced studies which he pursues.

When the late war was waging to its utmost and the call "to arms" was wafted on almost every passing breeze, almost every able man of this township realized the imminent danger of his country. Some left their plow in the furrow, like old Gen. Putnam, and others dropped their hoes in the field, and proceeded to the rauks and fought nobly; and some even bled and died in the conflict. This township furnished more soldiers for the army than any other of its population in the county.

Politically, this township is strongly Republican. At the October election of 1880 they polled a majority of 153. Several of the township's old residents became quite prominent, and at present hold responsible county offices.

The land of this township was formerly very heavily timbered. A goodly part of the land has been cleared, and there is discovered a tract almost unequaled in fertility. The value ranges from $60 to $80 per acre. It is settled by an industrious, enterprising and intelligent class of people, farming and stock-raising being their chief pursuits. Lnmberingis also followed to some extent. Among the leading farmers of this township we find Jeremiah Haun, C. Nnsbaum, John Moore, C W. Nusbaum, Kichard Terwilliger, Joseph Holderman, C. ]^. Holderman, Amos Jones, D. "Wisler, Thos. Moore and J. H. Dell, who also is engaged in a saw-mill, A. Lechlitner, Geo. Berkey and a few others.

Jacob Bell, retired farmer; P. 0., Wakarusa; was born in Warren county, Ohio, Oct. 29, 1809. His parents were James and Sarah Bell. His father was born in New Jersey, and his motherin Pennsylvania. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of the country. The schools were held in log houses of the rudest sort, with furniture, if possible, even rougher. In 1831 he settled iu St. Joseph county, while the Indians were there and the wild animals yet inhabited its forest. In 1848 he came to this county, where he has since resided. In 18il he married Mary A., daughter of Nathaniel and Anna (Dixon) Drake, who were early settlers in this county. TJiey were from Ohio. Fourteen children were added to this family, 7 of whom are living, viz. : Emeline,now Mrs. C. Holderman ; Amos, who married Rebecca Burk; James, who married Minnie Sliepherd; John, who married Gethie Stauifer; Jane, now Mrs. John Burk; Silas and Harriet. Mrs. Bell died May 9, 1860. Mr. Bell's grandfather, Jacob Warnersserved six years in the Revolution for the national independence. Mr. B. owns SO acres of land in sec. 26.

J. H. Bruhaher, attorney at law, Wakarusa, was born in this county May 22, 1851, and is a son of Joseph aod Elizabeth Brubaker, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio; came with his parents to this county in 1849; was reared on a farm till 14 years of age; then liis parents moved to Wakarusa; then our subject entered a drug store as clerk, in which position he remained three years; then went to Ohio and sold dry-goods for one year; nest returned and opened a dry goods store in Wakarusa, and did business in that line for one year; then engaged in the drug trade for about a year and a half; then commenced reading law. He also edited the Wakarusa Sun about three years, but some time ago it was discontinued. He was married J^ov. 13, 1876, to Hattie E., daughter of' Harvey and Lucinda Ely, natives of New York; had 3 children, Arthur and Walter. Mr. B. had a brother Amos in the army, who was killed at the battle of Mission Eidge.

John Crater. - Among the Union's veterans we find the name of John Crater. He was born in Lancaster county, Pa., Oct. 24, 1843. His parents, Jacob and Sarah Crater, were also natives of that State; he was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in the military service, Co. G, 55th Ohio Inf Vol., under Capt. Strong. He participated in the battles of Chattanooga, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta (which lasted three days). Savannah, then Hardyville, S. C, where he was taken prisoner and confined for a short time in the Cheraw and the Salisbury(jSr.C.) prisons; then was transferred to the Libby prison atKichmond, Va. While thousands of others lay bleeding and dying on the field of battle he was in the dungeon cell almost dying of hunger. He at one time gave $5 for a morsel of corn bread. After four months of intense suffering he was released, and subsequently fought in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. He was in the entire Atlanta campaign, and also with Sherman on his march to the sea. He was honorably discharged at the end of the war. He then returned to this county, where he still resides. He was married Oct. 29, 1865, to Jane Bowes, daughter of Roger and Elizabeth Bowes, natives of England. They emigrated to America in 1850. To this marriage 8 children were born, 2 of whom are living, viz.: Elizabeth and Cornelia. In politics Mr. Crater is a Kepublican. " He votes the way he shot."

Jacob Cripe, deceased, who lived near Wakarusa, was a native of Hagerstown, Pa., whence he moved with his parents to Montgomery county, Ohio. At the age of 25 years and while yet living in Ohio he was married to Miss Elizabeth Shank. Four children were born to them, namely: Henr}', Samuel, Mary and Catharine, when by death Mr. Cripe was deprived of his wife. He afterward married Mary Shank, a sister of his first wife; they had two children, namely: John and ISTancy. In 1829 he moved with his present family and his oldest son, Henry, together with a few of his neighbors, into the wilds of Indiana, into '' Elkhart Prairie," then inhabited by" Lo!" the poor Indian. He planted a small acreage to corn, and in the fall returned to Ohio, where he remained through tlie winter. Then they returned to Indiana and settled about one mile west of where the city of Goshen now stands, where he lived until 1854; he then sold his farm to Mr. Dillman and moved to Clinton tp., where shortly after he died. He is said to have been the first white settler in Indiana west of the Elkhart river. They were troubled considerably in the beginning with the Indians who were continually loitering about their dwelling and begging for something to eat. His son Henry married Magdalena Miller, and Samuel married Miss Elizabeth Miller, sisters, and members of a pioneer family. Mary was married to Jacob Dill, who lives near Wakarusa. The remainder of the family, Jacob H., Nancy, Mary, Catharine and Solomon, are all living in this and adjoining counties, in good circumstances, and are useful members of their respective communities.

Jacob F . ETiret, Trustee of Olive tp., sec. li; P. O., Wakarusa; was born July 15, 1836, in Philadelphia, Pa. His parents, Elias and Sophia Ehret, were natives of Germany and came to America in 181S and settled in Philadelphia. In 1S35 they moved to Medina county, Ohio, and in 1810 came to this county. Jacob F. lived on a farm till 19 j'ears old, then learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked 22 j'ears. He was married New Year's day of 1S62 to Mar}' J., daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Morris, who were among the earliest settlers of this tp. Mr. and Mrs. E. have had 9 children, viz.: Cornelius O., Minerva E., Lavina E., Alice, Clara, Sophia, Bertha, Frederick C, and Sarah A. Mr. E. was elected to the ofiice of Tp. Trustee in 1878, and re-elected in April, 1880.

Peter Finl: was born in Lancaster county, Pa., Sept. 29, 1832. His parents are Emanuel and LydiaFink. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He was married in 1851 to Mary Clouse, by whom he has had 8 children, viz.: Mary A., Sarah A. Keuben, Alsetta, Emanuel, John and Frank. Mr. Fink came with his parents to this county in 1812, and still resides here, engaged in farming and raising stock. He owns a farm of 100 acres, in sec. 2, well improved. August 20, 1862, he enlisted in the army, Co. I, Ylth Reg. Ind. Inf , and fought in the following battles: Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Jonesboro, and also skirmishes, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. He was discharged in June, 1865. Mr. F. is a member of the Masonic order, and in politics is a Democrat.

George Halsey Gore was born Feb. 15, 1817, in Preston, New London Co., Conn. At 5 years of age, the family moved to New York, where the subject of this notice attended the common school; at 12 he was apprenticed to the woolen-cloth manufacturing business, and served seven years. Losing his health, he learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, and continued in that business till 1850, when he moved his family to Lagrange county, Ind., where he was a millwright a few months; he then bought an interest in the foundry at Sturgis, Mich. He afterward made an engine and erected a steam saw-mill in Concord tp., this county. In 1859 he sold this mill, moved to Goshen, and was employed in the construction of thresliing-machines two or three years. In 1863 he moved to Wakarusa, where he now resides. Oct. 29, 1840, he married Eleanor Kay, of Glasgow, Scotland, and they had 5 children: Harriet J., Charles H., (who married Martha Lincoln and had Cora and Charles E.), Mary J.; Caroline; and Emily, (who married Stephen Morris.) Mrs. G. died, and Mr. G. married Phcebe J. Mitchell, and by her had James F., John S. and Martha M. Mr. Gore's second wife died and he married, for his third wife, her cousin, Mrs. Mary A. (Morris) Mitchell, and by her had 2 children, Elmer E. and Lncy M. This last wife had 2 children living, Samuel J. and Wm. H.

Jeremiah Haxm, son of John and Martha Haun, was born in Eayette county, Pa., Feb. 1830; in 1836 he and his parents moved to Holmes county, Ohio; here he was reared and educated. He was married Feb. 1-i, 1852, to Miss Maria, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Longenecker,and they have had 13 children, of whom

5 are living, viz.: Martha E. (now Mrs. Allen Mauerer), Joseph G., Pera E., Adelphia E. and John M. In 1864, while in Holmes county, Ohio, his family was seized with a very fatal form of diphtheria. In the short space of two weeks 5 of his children died, namely: Mary, Almira, Isaac, Joseph and Harrison E.., and 3 others died soon after. Mr. Haun and wife are members of the M. E. Church. He owns a farm of 161 acres, in sec:' 22, valued at $9,000. He is a Republican, and has filled the office of Township Trustee for two terms.

PhiLip Kilm6i\ farmer, sec. 36; P. 0., Wakarusa; was born Aug. 9, 1808, in Pennsylvania. His parents were Isaac and Eve Kilmer, of the same State. He was reared on a farm and educated in the district schools. Nov. i, 1853, he came to this county, where he still resides, engaged in farming. March 15, 1858, he was married to Catharine, daughter of Christian and Hannah Morton, of Pennsylvania. They have had 10 children, 6 of whom are living, viz.: Jacob, who married Christiana Lindamon; Hannah, now Mrs. Martin Loucks; Eve, now Mrs. Thos. G\&j\ Martha, now Mrs. Henry Miller; Philip, who married Anna Moyer; and Catharine, now Mrs. Fremont Degolyer. Mr. Kilmer had 1 son, Christian, who was a soldier in Co. K, 73d Reg't Ind. Vol. Inf., in the late wai', and fought in the battle of Stone River, where he received a fatal wound, and diedApril 27, 1863, at the Nashville hospital, after an illness of over four months. Mr. K. owns a farm of 117 acres on sec. 36, worth $60 per acre. He is a member of the Mennonite Church, and politically is a Republican.

6 Co., stave factory, Wakarusa, was born in St. Joseph county, Ind., April 5, 1856, and is a son of John and Magdalena Mc- JDonough. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1874 became to this county, and in 1878 entered partnership in the above-named firm. In August, 1877, he married Leah Lechlitner, by whom he had one child, Mary, born Jan. 1, 1878.

Daniel Mikel, an early pioneer of Elkhart county, was born in North Carolina Aug. 18, 1808, and is a son of Joseph and Mary Mikel, who moved to Ohio in 1811, settling near Cincinnati; there he was reared and educated in the common schools held in little, low log cabins; he well remembers seeing the soldiers of 1812 as they were marching by their humble residence to the little village of Cincinnati, which to-day is the metropolis of Ohio. In 1829 he came to this county, and for the first two years followed boating on the St. Joseph and Elkhart rivers ; then the light canoe of the Indian would pass their heavily laden flat-boat like a bird on the -wing; the steamboat did not yet ply its beautiful waters, and the shrill whistle of the iron horse was not heard; the noise of the atmospheric insects and the Indians' "jabbers," or their savage, war-like yells, was the only music for the few white men that wandered in this forest. In 1831 Mr. Mikel came into Olive tp.; there were but two other settlers within its limits; he chopped down a few trees and built a log house and moved into it; although the tall, sturdy oak seemed to defy his strength, he did not sit still and watch their boughs waving gracefully in the breeze, but with his ax commenced slaying these monarch oaks, and it was not long until he had prepared several acres for the plow. Thus his industry surmounted many great obstacles that came in his way. The meat they ate was all wild, principally deer and wild turkey.

On one December morning, being in need of meat, he shouldered his rifle and started out in search of a deer; after going some distance from the house he saw a large deer standing in the path; he I'aised his gun and fired; the deer ran a few steps and leaped over a large log; Mr. Mikel loaded his gun, and on looking up, saw a deer gaziLig over the same log at him; he leveled on the deer, and it very quickly disappeared behind the bushes; he reloaded his gun, and on looiiing at the log again he saw the deer still looking; he raised his trusty old rifle and discharged its contents at the supposed taunting deer; it disappeared; he once more loaded his gun; on looking up, saw a deer trot out in the path before him and stop; he dispatched him with a bullet, and on looking behind the log he found that every shot did its intended work, - three deers killed. He took care of his game, then resumed his hunting for the day, and at night returned with five more, being eight in all. They were so numerous that sometimes a gang of 60 would be seen.

In December, 1827, Mr. Mikel married Catharine ^^{Q\\ and they have had 8 children; 5 of these are living, viz.: Joseph, William, Mary, now Mrs. Jacob Fields, Sarah and Albert. Mr. M. owns 120 acres of land, partly in sec. 2, worth $50 per acre. In politics he is a liepublican, and f(;r many years was the only Whig voter in his tp. Some of his early ancestors were soldiers in the Revolution.

Dr. Htigh T. Montgomery, physician and surgeon, Wakarusa, Ind., was born in Harrisburg, Penn., Dec. 10,1819; his parents were Riland and Caroline Montgomery; father was a native of Pennsylvania and mother of Maryland. In 1855 he moved with his parents to South Bend, and in 1861 to Warsaw, where they resided until 1867, when they went to Bourbon, Ind. The Doctor was educated in the schools of South Bend and Warsaw, but principally at the last named place. He bee^an the study of medicine in 1871 under Dr. A. T. Matchett, of Bourbon, and continued there till the fall of 1873, when he attended the Chicago Medical College, and graduated March 16, 1875; he also graduated at the Chicago School of Anatomy, hi the year 1875 he came to Wakarusa, and commenced the duties of his profession, and has good patronage. He is a Democrat, and was nominated by that party for Representative, but owing to his extensive business he declined to serve. Dr. M. was married Oct. 12, 1878, to Miss Hattie Linwood, who was born July 17, J858, and is a daughter of E. B. and Mary Lin wood, who were natives of New York and Massachusetts; they have one child. Ethyl L.

John Moore was born in Washington county, New York, Feb. 18, 1820, and is a son o± Samuel and Sarah Moore, the former a native of England and the latter of L-eland. His father served in the French Revolution, under Gen. Wellington, and fought at the battle of Waterloo, wliere they were repulsed by Napoleon's army. He came to America in 1801 and settled in Washington county, New York; in July, 1835, he and family came to this county, and in 1837 settled in Olive tp. Here John was reared and educated. He was married April 5, 1846, to Julia Crampton, by whom he has had 12 children; 10 are living: Elizabeth J., now Mrs. Tabor Mitchell; James C, Harriet M., now Mrs. Samuel Rowell; Emma A., Martha J., Sarah C, now Mrs. Lamar Gillette; Charles H., Maggie L , John S. and Thomas E. Mrs. Moore died April 27, 1873, and Mr. Moore again married in 1875. Hg is a Democrat; has held the ofhce of Justice of the Peace for nearly 12 years, and ia the present candidate (October, 1880"! on the same ticket, for Representative. He owns 144 acres of land in sec. 11, worth $60 per acre.

Thomas Moore, brother of the preceding, was among the early residents of this county. He was born in Washington county, N. Y., Jan. 19, 1832. In 1835 he and his parents came and located in this wild and almost uabroken forest of Elkhart county, passing the. first two years of their pioneer life in Concord tp., but afterward moving into Baugo tp. Here, in Nature's temple, Thomas was reared and educated, learning more about frontier life than of the treasures contained in the school books. Oct. 27, 1857, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Peter and Ann Troxel, who were born in Pennsylvania. They had 10 children, of whom 2 are deceased. The following are the names of the living: Emma J. (now Mrs. John F. Root), Wm. P., John H., James H., George I., Peter, Mary A. and Frank W.

Stephen Morris was among those upon whom the '- sun of life " fell in a melancholy forest. This event took place Nov. 18, 1834. His parents were Isaac and Eliza (Sailor) Morris. Here in this place of solitude he grew to manhood, having for an education access only to the common schools that were held in the rudest sort of log houses, but his help at home deprived him of many advantages that would have proved beneficial to him in after life. He was married Dec. 30, 1856, to Mary Chance, by whom he had 4 children: of these 2 are living, Caroline and Samantha. Mrs. M. died May 13. 1864, and he again married Sept. 18, 1865, this time Emma Gore, and had 1 child, Charles E., born in April, 1867. Mr. Morris, enlisted in the army in Co. C, 9th Eegiment Ind. Vol. Inf., under Capt. T. F. Mann, and participated in the capture of Grafton and la the battles of Philippi and Laurel Hill. He was discharged in August, 1861. In 1855 he went to Olmsted county, Minn., and was appointed Sheriff of that county by the " Club law," being the first sheriff in the county. His father was among the early settlers of this countj', having located here in 1832. He was born in Yir. (?) Feb. T, 1803. In 1806 he and his parents moved to Monroe county, O., thence here. He, like many other pioneer boys, had a very limited education. He was married Sept. 25, 1825, to Elizabeth Sailor, and they have had 10 children, 9 of whom are living, viz.: Isaac, Stephen, Moses, Cornelius, Esther, Elizabeth, Eliza, Mary, Rachel M., and Jacob (deceased), who was a soldier in M

Joseph Nittrotier was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, 1809. His parents, Samuel and Catharine l^ittrower, were also natives of Pennsylvania. At the age of 11 years Joseph was cast out among strangers to do for himself. In ISil he went to Montgomery county, O., and in 186-4 came to this county, where he still resides. Feb. 2, 1837,^he married Anna Metzler, by whom he has had 9 children: David, Jacob, Samuel, Abram, Mary (deceased), Catharine, Elias, Anna (deceased) and Amy. Mr. N. owns 80 acres of land, worth $60 per acres, all the fruit of his honest labors. His mother is still living, at the ripe age of 88 years. His grandmother lived to the age of 87 years and nine months.

C. M. jVuslaum was born in Switzerland April 30, 1838, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine Nusbaum, also natives of Switzerland; was reared and educated in his native country. In 1858 he came to America on the vessel " Samuel Fox." He first settled in Putnam county, Ohio, where he resided one year, then came to this county. He was married April 1, 1861, to Rhoda E. Sailor. At that time the war was raging, and heeding the call to arras, he, with a true patriotic spirit, not conforming to the old Mosaical law " that he should remain with his wife one year after marriage before going to war," the following August (1861), enlisted in Co. G, 74th Peg. Ind. Inf., under Capt. Davis and Gen. Sherman. He participated in the terrible conflict at Chickamauga, the battle of Mission Ridge, Jonesboro and other minor engagements, numbering 14 in all. He also accompanied Sherman's army on their march to the sea. He was honorably discharged in June, 1865, having served nearly four years. He returned home and resumed farming and Catharine (^Wise) Nusbaum, natives of Switzerland and Baden respectively, who emigrated to America in an early day. In April, 1818, Mr. N. came with his parents to this county, where he has followed farming and stock-raising for some years; was engaged in the mercantile business in Wakarusa for one and one-half years; also taught school for about eight years. Feb. IS, 1858, he was married to Elizabeth Bechtel, daughter of Jacob and Anna Bechtel. and they have had 11 children; of these, 9 are living, viz. : Leander B., John W., Lucretia C, Oliver P., Charles M., William W., Anna M., Jacob V. and Matie Y. Mr. IST. owns a farm of 110 acres in sec. 23, worth $65 per acre. In politics he is a Republican, and has held the office of Assessor for 13 years. Mr. and Mrs. Nusbaum are both members of the Evangelical Association.

David Bamer, blacksmith and wagon-maker, Wakarusa, was born in Richland county, Ohio, Feb. 1, 1S13. His parents were Jacob and Catharine (Reed) Ramer. He was reared among the "Bucke^'es" till 1818, then came to this county and passed the remainder of his young days among the Hoosiers. His education was received in the common countr}' schools. August 4, 1861, he married Miss Hannah C, daughter of I. C. and Mary Bennett, J/

1822, in Franklin county, Pa. ; his parents were Hezekiah and Catharine Robinson, also natives of Pennsylvania; he was reared and educated in Thomastown, Pa. ;in 1850 he went to Tiffin, 0., and in 1865 he came to Wakarusa, where he has since been engaged in the meat trade. He was married in 1854 and had 8 children; of these, 3 are living, viz.: Wm. F., Albert W. and Mary C. (now Mrs. Frederick Whitmer). Mr. R. enlisted in the army May 2, 1861, Co. A, 164th Reg. O. V. I., National Guards, and served 100 days, then was discharged; had one son who served three years.

1848, in Mercer county, Ohio. He was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools. Lie followed school-teaching some years. In 1868 he came to this county ; he first located the tiling factory in Jefferson tp. in October, 1S71, and in 1878 he removed it to its present site. He manufactures 2, 2^, 3, 4:, 5, 6, 1 and 8 inch tiling. The engine is 10-horse power. He married Nov. 26, 1871, to Hutoka Blue, daughter of Abner Blue, and had one child, viz.: Hallet Ernest.

Samuel Seitz was born in Schuylkill county. Pa., Sept. 25, 1822. His parents were Jacob and Salome Seitz. He was reared on a farm, receiving but little education. His parents were poor, and his lot was cast among almost heartless strangers. He attended school only when the inclement weather prevented him from working. Thus he did not attend school more than a month (in all) in a year. In March, 1S53, he came to Olive tp., this conntj', where he still resides, engaged in farming, etc. He married Aug. 11, 184:1, Lucetta Williard, by whom he has had 5 children; 3 are living, viz.: Lydia A., now Mrs. Michael Ehret, in Mich. ; Catharine, now Mrs. Eli "Waggoner, and Harriet, now Mrs. Bishop Shutts. Mr. and Mrs. Seitz are both members of the Reformed Church. Mr. S. is also a Republican. He owns a farm of 80 acres in sec. 27.

Richard TerxoUliger, son of Cornelius and Harriet Terwilliger, was born in Ulster county, J^. Y., July 12, 1833. In December, 1837, he and his parents came to this county, here in the wilderness he grew to the years of maturity, receiving his education in the common schools; also attended the Elkhart schools. May 31, 1860, he was married to Mary A. Stair, daughter of Jacob and Susan Stair, and they have had 1 children, viz.: Byron E., Alma L., Jacob W. and Susan H. Mr. T. owns SO acres in sec. 10, valued at $4,800 ; he is a Democrat.

Barney Uline, Jr., merchant, Wakarnsa. Mr. Uline was born in Wayne county, N". Y., June 28, 1811. His parents were Barney and Esther Uline, of New York. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1817 lie went with his grandfatlier to Renssalaer county, N. Y., and in 1861 to St. Joseph county, Ind., and the same year he came to this county. He worked in the saw- mill till the following November, when he enlisted in the army as drum-major in Co. F, ISth Reg. Ind. Inf., and participated in the siege of Corinth, battle of luka, battle of Corinth, siege of Vicksburg, and 15 others of note. At the latter part of the war he was promoted 1st Sergeant of his company. He was discharged in August, 1865; he then returned home and resumed saw-milling, at whicli he continued till 1876, and then engaged in the mercantile trade. He was married Dec. 24, 1867, to Mary E., daughter of Robert and Rebecca Milliken, and they have had 2 children, viz.: Charles A. and Walter C. Mr. Uline is a Republican. His Grandfather Burnet fought in the Revolutionary war.

Lewis Wagner was born in Mahoning county, 0., June 20, 1851, and is a son of Nicholas and Margaret Wagner, who were natives of Germany, and came to this country in March, 1818, and to this county in 1866, where they still reside. In 1870 the subject of this sketch came to "Wakanisa, and in 1878 opened a saloon. He was married May, 12, 18Y2 to Anna Miller, who was born Feb. 9, 1855, and they have 1 child, Lloyd. Mrs. W. is a daughter of Geo. and '-

Jonathan R. Williard was born fn Dauphin county, Penn., March 15. 1827. His parents were John and Anna Williard, who were also natives of Penn.; was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools; he came to this county in April, 1865, where s he still resides, following farming and stock-raising. He was married Jan. 29, 1856, to Catharine, daughter of Frederick and Catharine Schwalim. They have had 2 children; only 1 is living, namely, Stanford I. Christain is deceased. Stanford I. is a graduate of the Goshen schools, and follows school-teaching. He was born Nov. i, 1858.

barn. He was a poor orphan boy, cast outamoug strangers, and grew to manhood with but little education. By his industry he has become possessor of property to the amount of $6,000.

Christian I. Wer7its was born in Schuylkill county, Penn., Sept. 15,1836; his parents, Daniel and Lydia Werntz, were natives of Columbia county, Penn. At the age of six years. Christian, with his parents, moved to Ross county, Ohio, where he was reared; they traveled all the way in a wagon drawn by one blind horse; his education was attained in a log cabin with rough slab seats, unhewed ; puncheon floor and greased-paper window-lights. He commenced ., \, at a very early day to work in a saw-mill, which he followed prin- ' cipally through life. His father was a miller by trade. In 1848, ^ , he came to this county, where he resided till 1856, then went to Iowa and Nebraska, but returned the same year. Aug. 10, 1862, he enlisted in the army in 21st Ind. Battery, under Capt. A. P. Andrews; was honorably discharged June 20, 1865, having served nearly three years; he participated in the following battles, viz.: New Middleton, Hoover's Gap,Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Columbia Cit}', Franklin and Nashville, Tenn.; also various other skir- v mishes. He was captured by the Morgan company at Nev7 Middleton and was held for nine days and then released. At the expiration of his term of service he returned home and resumed his former business, saw-milling. In 1876 he visited his native place, attended the Centennial and the cities of note in the East. March 5, 1877, he married Martha Shugars, daughter of John and Catharine Shu- - '''', gars, natives of Ohio; they have had one child, Malinda. Mr. W. ]\ served one term as County Commissioner, and partly superintended . 'i| the building of the county jail. He owns a farm of 48 acres near ; ;-:.'| Wakarusa.

was reared on a farm; his educational advantages were limited to the common schools. In 1857 he went to Kansas and afterward to Michigan, and in 1863 came to Wakarusa, where for eight years he was engaged in the mercantile trade. Sept. 3, 1865, he married Hannah Kimble, a native of Wyandot county, O. She was born in January, 18-10, a daughter of Nathan and Mary Kimble, of Massachusetts; the former was a Captain in the war of 1812.

Jackson Woolverton^ deceased, one of the first business and representative men of the town of Wakarusa, was a native of Tompkins county, N. Y. He was born May 30, 1820. In early life he emigrated with his parents to Ohio. In the fall of 1848 he was united in marriage with Miss Lucinda M., second daughter of E. Stevens, of Tioga county, JST. Y., and settled in Ashland, Ohio, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. In the spring of 1852 he moved to Goshen, Ind., and in 1854 to Wakarusa, where he engaged in business until the breaking out of the Kebellion, when he responded to the call of his country, and entered the service as Lieutenant in Co. G, Tith Ind. Vol. Inf In the spring of 1861 he resigned his commission on account of poor health, returned home and died the following spring, March 12, 1865. Of the children now living, the eldest, A. B. Woolverton, is a practicing physician at Silver Lake, Kansas.

Philip Young, farmer, sec. 3; P. O., Elkhart; was born in Stark county, 0., July 17, 1845, the second son and child in a family of 8 children, all of whom are living; the parents were Peter and Catharine Young, natives of Ohio, the former of whom died in 1874 and the latter in 1852. Philip was reared on a farm and received a common-school education. Sept. 1, 1869 he married Charlotte Marble, who was born in Michigan Sept. 13, 1854, and they have 1 child, Charles.

Osolo township is bounded on the north by the State of Michigan, east by "Washington township, south by the St. Joseph river and Concord township, and west by Cleveland township, of which it was formerly a part.

Samuel Simonton is supposed to have been the first settler, who about 1834 located on what is now section 9. _Soon afterward came Abraham Heaton, who settled on section 25, followed by Philip Mechling, who fixed his location on sec. 26; and in 1835 James and Ezekiel Compton, Mrs. Long, a widow lady, John Gardner and a Mr. Nutting formed a settlement on Christiana creek. In the year following Mr. Alpheus Bugbee became a settler in the same neighborhood. In January, 1838, the township was organized. Abraham Heaton, the second settler in the township, was the first justice of the peace. The year following the organization, in 1839, Nat. Newell, Henry Salmon and Guy Johnson, and soon Luther Wood, William, Erastus and Walter Beach came and selected locations and were residents of Osolo township.

The first election was held in the first school-house that was built, known as the Johnson school-house, which was erected on section 20, in 1838. The now flourishing, healthy life of the settlement brought with it the necessity of a postoflice, which was established in 1839; and Alpheus Bugbee, a resident on the west side of Christiana creek, was the first postoflice incumbent. After a time Mr. Smith Howland, by appointment, became postmaster. But after a few years the oflice was discontinued.

There are several small lakes in this township ; Simonton lake, Mud lake and Cooley lake are in the north, and Heaton lake in the eastern part. Mnd lake is the principal source of Puterbaugh creek. Christiana creek is said to have been thus named in honor of the wife of a Christian missionary; it enters this township in the northwest corner Irom the State of Michigan, and empties into the St. Joseph river on the south. The country generally presents a pleasant and thrifty appearance. Having been formerly covered thickly with small oak timber, it was called the " barrens," and the numerous groves yet found give it quite a picturesque appearance. There (1115) are placesthat are quite romaatic. The soil is a sandy loam with a goodly mixture of gravel ; it is easy of cultivation and produces good crops. The farms generally are under good cultivation, have fine buildings, and the farmers are prosperous and happy.

Biographical. '

Eslie C. Adams, farmer and teacher of penmanship, sec. 13; P. 0., Elkhart; was born in Wayne county, Ohio, Oct. 9, 1839, the son of Daniel and Catharine Adams, natives of Pennsylvania, who now reside in Washington tp., this county. They first came to Indiana in 1840. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of this State, and in 1861-'2 he attended college at Oberlin, Ohio, then the Geneva (O.) college, where he was instructed in penmanship by P. R. Spencer, the celebrated penman and author of the Spencerian system. In the spring of 1863 he was married to Mr. Spencer's daughter, Phcebe J. She was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, and died at South Bend, Ind., where they were residing at that time, when Mr. Adams was engaged as a teacher of penmanship in the business college at that place. They have had 2 children, both of whom died in infancy. He then went to Mishawaka and engaged in commission business in partnership with A.

B. Bishop, continuing in this one year. He then came to this tp. where he engaged in teaching writing. He married for his second wife, Mrs. Carrie E. Stevens, who was born in New York Oct. 3, 1813. They have had by this marriage 1 children: Robt. P., Eslie

C, Thomas S. and one deceased, Mary P. He is the owner of 150 acres of land in this tp., worth $30 per acre. Mrs. Adams is a member of the Presbyterian Church and Mr. Adams is a Baptist. Politically, he is a Pepublican.

Peter Cauffman, farmer, sec. 36; P. 0., Elkhart; was born in Juniata cunty, Penn., July 16, 1817, second son of Peter and Sarah (Wagner) Canffman. His father died in 1823 in Pennsylvania, in his 33d year, and his mother died in 1829. He then resided with his grandfather until he was 16 years of age. He then began for himself, working by the day, month or year, and attending school during the winter months. In 1838 he was first married to Mary Anne Haruer, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1816. He continued farming and teaming in Pennsylvania until 1851; he then came West and located in Washington tp., where he rented for four years, and then purchased the farm that he now " owns, consisting of 133 acres of land, which is finely improved, and worth $75 per acre. By this marriage they had 10 children; the living are: Sarah E., Margaret J., Harriet N., Samuel K., William H., Mary C, Elmira G. and -John P.; the deceased are: Michael E. and Wesley A. Mrs. C. died Jan. 17, 1878, and Mr. C.

H. A. Coe, dairyman, sec. 32, was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, May 5, 1840; his parents moved to Michigan in 1858; he is the son of Samuel D. and LydiaCoe; mother is deceased and father resides with him. He enlisted in the 19th Keg. of Michigan ^ _- o Inf., and served until the close of the war; was in numerous battles; received a ball in his shoulder, and has almost lost his sight by the concussion of a cannon ball; at the close of the war he returned to his former home in Michigan, from where he emigrated to Kansas, from Kansas to Illinois, and from there to this county, where he continued in the employ of the R. R. Co. for six years. In 1878 he engaged in the dairy business; has 35 cows in his dairy, from wliich he supplies the citizens of Elkhart with pure and unadulterated milk. In January, 1866, he was married to Frances Lacey, who was born in Sandusky county, Ohio; their family consists of 2 children, Myrta M. and Ly<lia P. He owns laud in St. Joseph county, Ind., consisting of 80 acres.

Eliza Nutting Compton, widow of James Compton, deceased. He was born in Kew Jersey Sept. 12, 1808, son of Jacob and Mary Compton, who were natives of ]^I"ew Jersey, and both deceased. Mr. Compton was raised and educated on a farm, and Sept. 17, 1829, he was married to Eliza ISTutting, who was born Dec. 1, 1810; they have had 7 children: Thomas J., Phineas K., Harriet, Mary, Saraii, Amanda and Albert Eugene; all are married, one living in Kansas and one in California; the rest remain in Elkhart county. Mr. and Mrs. Compton came to this county in 1855; Mr. C. died Sept. 20, 1878, in the 69th year of his age; Mrs. C. lives on the home farm, which consists of 120 acres, worth $76 per acre.

Kenyan Compton, farmer, sec. 30; P. O., Elkhart; was born in this tp., Sept. 15, 1810, second son of the preceding; was educated in the common schools, and raised on a farm. He enlisted in the 2d Indiana Cavalry in 1861, serving one year and one month, when he was discharged on account of disability and ill health. He re turned to his home in 1862, and was married to Amelia Kelsey, who was born in Ohio. Their family consists of 5 children; Clayton, ^ when he began boating on the Allegheny and Ohio rivers, continuing in that occupation 11 years. He was first married in Pennsylvania in 184:6, to Miss Hannah Barr, wlio was born in that State March 13, 1S27. They have had 7 children, 4: of whom are now living: Harriet A., Michael L., Amanda J., now Mrs. Geo. H. "Withe, and Levi E. Deceased are Jacob A., Alfred A. and Margaret U. In 1864 he came with his family to Indiana and lived in the city of Elkhart. Four years later he bought 80 acres of land, which constitutes a part of his present farm. His wife died in 1879, and in August, 1S79, he married Mrs. Elizabeth McColough, who was born in Ohio Sept. 27, 1S32. She had by her former marriage 2 children, Charles H. and Jennie McColough. Her first marriage took place Oct. 7, 1838, with Moses McColough, who died in May, 1874. Mr. Delo now owns 150 acres of land in this tp. and Cass county, Mich. He is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran and his wife of the M. E. Church. He was once elected to the ofiice of Justice of the Peace, but declined the honor and refused to be qualified with the oath of oiSee. Politically, he is a staunch Republican.

Chai'les Dills, farmer, sec. 25; P. 0., Elkhart; was born in Osolo tp. July 22, 1854; he is the son of Harvey and Isabelle Dills, now Mrs. Smith. His father died when he was five years of age; he received his education in the common schools and began life on a farm with his step-tather, Mr. Richard Smith. He was married in 1875 to Alice Armina Lane, who was born in St. Joseph county, Ind., June 11, 1856; she is the daughter of Frederic and Mary Ann Lane, natives of Pennsylvania; her father died Jan. 13, 1861. and her mother Sept. 30, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Dills have 2 children, Loyd E., born March 17, 1878, and Mervin, born Oct. 1, 1880. He now owns a farm of 200 acres under a fine state of cultivation, worth about $65 per acre. Mr. Dills is a Republican in his political ideas.

William B. Gorman, farmer, sec. 18; P. O., Elkhart; was born in Snyder county. Pa., JNov. 29, 1825, fifth son of John and Sabille (Rigle) Gorman, natives of Pennsylvania; his education in early life was very limited; at the age of 18 he learned the carpeQter and joiner's trade, which he followed for a number of years, then began the occupation of bridge building, working for the Pennsylvania Central R. R. Co., continuing in that business for 12 years; he then moved to this county in April, 1856, locating on the "two and a half mile plain" east of Elkhart, and engaged in agricultural pursuits on the farm known as the Henry G. Davis farm, where he remained for 11 years; he then moved to Osolo tp. and located on the Holland farm, residing there for 10 years; in 1876 he moved to the present farm which he now owns, consisting of 278 acres, which he has well improved with good and substantial buildings. He values his land at $75 per acre. He was married in 1848 to Leah Mangus, daughter of Geo. Mangus, of Pennsylvania, where she was born. Mr. Gorman has held the office of County Comi^-'-m missioner for six years, receiving a goodly number of votes of those differing from him politically, and were at that time in the majority in the county; has also been Trustee in his township for four years. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. Eagle lodge at Elkhart. Politically, he is a Democrat.

Phineas Heatoti, farmer, sec. 36; P. 0., Elkhart; was born in Preble county, Ohio, May 20, 1809, the son of Abraham and Catharine Heaton {nee McPay); his father was a native of Pennsylvania, and mother of Kentucky. He was educated in the old style of subscription schools, and received but a limited amount of even such as was thus afforded. At the age of l-l he began working in a flour and saw-mill, where he worked until he was 2i years old. He was then married to Clarinda Proctor, wlio was born Jan. 15, 1S14-, in Virginia. For several years he engaged in farming. In the fall of 1835 he emigrated to this county and entered the land which he now owns, and for which he yet holds the original " certificate of entry." He there began farming, and followed still his occupation as miller. He now owns 156 acres of land, which is well improved and worth $75 per acre. Their family consisted of 12 children, 7 of whom are now living; Catharine, now Mrs. Wm. Newel; Hannah, now Mrs. Henderson; Abraham, Sarah, now Mrs. Smith, Henry, Malinda, now Mrs. Thompson; and Clara, now Mrs. Clinger. Five children died in infancy. Mr. Heaton has held the oiiice of Justice of the Peace and Tp. Trustee. His father moved to Indiana in ISll and located iu Fayette county. In the fall of 1S35 they moved [o Elkhart county, being among the first settlers of the tp. Mr. H. and his amiable wife are members of the Baptist Church, and he is a fervent Republican.

Rohert S. Henderson, farmer, sec. 25; P. 0., Elkhart; was born in Summit county, 0., Aug. 12, 1828. He is the fourth child of James and Jane Henderson {^tiee Smith). His father died in Ohio in 1874. His mother is yet living in Ohio. Robert received his education sitting upon slab seats in the "old log school-house". He remained and worked with his father until he was 24 years of age, when he married, in 1853, Miss Amanda Wirt, who also was born in Summit county, 0., July 16, 1S29. After their marriage they began farming in Ohio, on rented land, but in 1859 he came to this county and purchased a farm of 80 acres, costing $1,800, going in debt for that amount, which he has paid in full; he made another purchase of an additional 40 acres, upon which he now resides. This farm, the result of an unrelenting purpose to succeed, the achievement of many weary days of toil, is now improved with good buildings, is under fine cultivation and worth $85 per acre. Their family consists of 6 children. Those now living are Charles S., Orilla Jane, now Mrs. Wilbur Green, James H., and Samuel T. The deceased are Carrie Bell and Martha Luella. Mr. Henderson worthily enjoys the' reputation of being one of Osolo's most intelligent and respected citizens. He is a Republican. .^^

Samuel Holtz^ farmer, sec. 24; P. O., Elkhart; was born in Stark county, 0., Feb. 5, 1833, 3d son of Jacob and Susanna, nee Liengar, natives of Pennsjlvania; his mother died when the subject of this sketch was six years of age, and father, ^when he was eight years old; he then lived with his uncle, John Holtz, until his 15th year, and up to that time had received little or no education. He began working at the blacksmith's trade, in which occupation he continued for three years, when, on account of failing health, he turned his attention to farming, which he followed two years, when he began working in the coal interests, continuing therein for two years, gathering what education he could during his spare moments, which up to this time had been much neglected. June 9, 1852, he was married to Mrs. Sarah Kreghbaum, nee Lonco, who was born in Summit county, 0. After marriage he engaged in agricultural pursuits two years, when he moved with his family to tills tp., where he has followed farming to the present time. He now owns 136 acres of land, on which he resides, which is valued at $75 per acre, besides five acres timber land in the State of Michigan.

Their family consisted of 5 children. Those living are Myra, now Mrs. A. L. Hathaway; Sarah A. and Cora Ida; the 2 deceased were Emma Jane and Geo. K. The entire family are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics, Mr. Holtz is, and has always been, a Democrat.

Ouy C. Johnson, farmer; sec. 29; P. O., Elkhart; was born in Chittenden county, Yt, May 1, 1822, and the son of Solomon A. and Minerva Johnson, nee Powell, natives of Vermont, who came to this tp. in 1836, locating on sec. 20, where they began farming. His father died November, ISiS, and his motlier April 19, 1864, in her 61th year. They had 6 children, 3 of whom are now living Guy C; Olive M., now Mrs. Kingsley, and Keuel M. The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools of Vermont and Indiana. He remained with his father until he was 24 years old, when he began farming for himself on a rented farm. He was married Jan. 2, 1851, to Frances Hatch, who was born in Medina county, Ohio, May 17, 1831, and was the daughter of Noah and Sarah Hatch. They have had 4 children: Homer A., Lora May, Laura Adelaide and Teddy M., who died July 26, 1864. Mr. Johnson began farming on rented land, with no capital or assistance, but by hard labor and strict economy has obtained possession of £00 acres of land,which is well improved and worth $80 per acre. It is all in Osolo tp., and near the city of Elkhart. Mr. J. and his wife were among the first who organized the Grange in Osolo tp.. No. 935. He. has been a candidate on the Pepublican ticket for Sheriff in this county, and in the fall of 1S80 was a candidate on the Greenback Labor- Eeform ticket for State Senator. Politically, he is an earnest advocate of that doctrine. In practical character Mr. Johnson is charitable, kind and much respected in his neighborhood. .; moved to the town of Elkhart and continued working in that occu- , ' ' \.. ..^^\ : pation; in 1847, while he was engaged in building a mill, he was ' v;t-4 brought back to Elkhart for burial. William continued in the * - ' \. occupation of his father until 1S50, when he crossed the plains and reached the far-oif gold fields of California.' In the winter of 1853 he returned to this county to visit his mother, returning to California the following spring; he succeeded in obtaining much of the precious metal in that " land of gold," and returned to Elkhart in 1856; purchased a farm, and began his agricultural life; his mother and sister reside with him. In 1S69 he was married to Martha Cleavland, who was born in this county; their children are Ebe- . ,,

Aug. 18, 1844, in her 64th year; father died Oct. 18, 1869, in his 90th year. His education was obtained in an early day, in the fashion of old-time schooling, of which he received but little; he wa^ raised on a farm, and in the fall of 1835 came with his father to this county, where he began farm work. April 25, 1839, he mar- , ..

they have had 9 children; the living are: Catharine, Jonas, Phin- ' ;:; -,-', neas H., Ery and Irena; deceased: Martha Jane, Emma, Mary and John Walter. Mr. M. owns 155 acres of land near the city limits ,^; of Elkhart, which is worth $100 per acre. He has held the oflices - . ; .,,-;."J of Constable, Path Master and School Director. Politically, he is a , ^ . 'ir":^lMS^ Republican. was born in Cliittenden county, Vt., Jan. 2, 1810, and brought up on a farm ; received his education in the old log-cabin school-houses, on the run, picking up a little here and there; his father had too much work to do to spare the time to let him go to school. His work was farming in summer and drawing logs to mill in winter. He stayed at home with his father until 23 years old; he then was married to Miss Lucinda Johnson, who was the daughter of Solomon and Rhoda Johnson, in 1834. He emigrated with his wife to Detroit, Mich., thence to this tp., locating on sec. 16, where he bought 100 acres of land with a small log house on it, and three acres broken, and commenced to farm with nothing but his hands and the assistance of his wife. He had to battle with grim poverty staring him in the face, but with a will to do, he conquered. The family consisted of 2 children, George and Marion, now Mrs. Coleman. In 1839, Mr. IST. lost his amiable wife, and he was left to battle on among the early trials of pioneer life, and has continued in his every-day life, never again taking to himself another companion. He now has by industry obtained possession of 7i5 acres of land in this tp., which is worth $50,000. Besides, he has given his 2 children aid in money and land. During the year of 1879 he raised 3,000 bushels of wheat, 1,500 of corn, 50 tons of hay, sold 12 head of cattle and 20 hogs. He is now in his 71st year, having nearly completed the time allotted to each man, and is hale and hearty. The picture from which the engraving in this volume was made is the only one he ever had taken in his life, and he sat for it on the day he was 70, JSTov. 25, 1880, as if to be thankful for the prosperity we have had in this life. In politics Mr. Newell is an ardent Democrat.

William Newell, farmer, sec. 29; P. O., Elkhart; was born in Chittenden county, town of Charlotte, Vt., Feb. 10, 1819, the fourth son of Abel and Charlotte Newell; his mother died when he was only six years of age, in 1825, and his father died in 1838. He was brought up on a farm, and received his education by attending the common, old log-cabin schools one day in a week, or just as his father could spare him from work. In those times all good days had to be put in at work, instead of school, and thus he was deprived of his education. In 1814 he came to this county poor "as a stick," and worked by the day, and taught singing-school, which was one of the best and most developed features in his education. In 1345 he began to farm, and in 1846 was married to Harriett A., daughter of H. M. Evans. She was born in Ohio in 1827. They had 6 children : Marie E.,(now Mrs. D. M. Winans), James M., Edwin F., Mary A., (now Mrs. C. M. Proctor),Anna L., and Hattie M. In 1868, Mr. ']Sr. lost his wife, and in 1870 married Mrs. CatherineWatts, who was born in Indiana in 1835, and they have had 1 child, Grace G. Mr. ISTewell now owns 220 acres of land in this tp., which is worth $90 per acre, all of which he has made by his careful and sturdy attention to farming. Politically, Mr. Newell is a Greenbacker.

John Onderhirk, farmer, sec. 27; P. O., Elkhart; was born in Onondaga county, JST. Y., May 1, 1802, the -ith son of Nicholas and Catharine Onderkirk {nee Brockham), natives of the State of New York. His father followed the occupation of farming. He was educated in the old-time log school-huuse, with its slab benches, and old-fashioned teachers. In 1833, he was married to Mary Pettigrove, who was born in Montgomery county, N. Y., July 30, 1814, where they remained until 1811, when they came West with their 3 children, in an old wagon, locating Dec. 22, 1841, on the farm on which they, now reside, consisting of 160 acres, which cost him at that time $400 cash down. They then began improving their land, using the same old team that had brought them from New York. They struggled through thick and thin for many years of toil, bat at last can boast of afarm of 218 acres of land, well improved, with splendid buildings,- and worth $60 per acre. Their family consists of 5 children: Elma Jane (now Mrs. Burns), Andrew H., Elizabeth E. (now Mrs. McDonald), Charles and Hannah Amelia. Mr. Onderkirk is one of the prominent and respected citizens of this community. In politics he is Democratic.

George W. Mioh, farmer, sec. 9; P. O., Elkhart; was born in Erie county, Penn., Aug. 28, 1841, the son of John S. and Lydia A. Rich, natives of New York, who emigrated to Pennsylvania, where the subject of this sketch was born. In 1843 they came to this tp., where they began farming, with no capital but a good supply of will-power and energy. He "traded" one. of his horses for 37 acres of land, and the other horse, which had constituted his team, he exchanged for a team of oxen; and thus he began life amidst all the adverse circumstances experienced by those who attempted to carve a home in the wilds of Indiana. Mr. Rich was two years of age when his parents moved to this State. He received his education in the common schools of Indiana and Michigan; being permitted to attend school only during the winter months, he was able to acquire only a '- passable " education. In 1861 he was married to Emeiine, daughter of Maurice and Margaret Dills, natives of New York, who moved to this county at an early date. She was born in this county J uly 11, 1842. They have 1 child, Elma, born June 25, 1862. Soon after his marriage Mr. Rich moved to Elkhart, where he engaged in blacksmithing. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. G, 74th Ind. Vol. Inf, and served until the close of the war; was not at his home, and never failed to report for duty during the three years of his service in the war of the Rebellion. After he returned home he followed farming two years. In August, 1872, he moved to Elkhart and engaged in the grocery business, which he continued two years, when he leturned to his farm, where he taught school during winter and attended his farm at intervals. He owns 157 acres of land, worth $40 per acre. In 1874 he was elected Town Trustee, in which office of trust he served two terms. In 1880 he was elected Assessor in Osolo tp., and in the fall of the same year he was

John Shaver, whose portrait appears in this volume, from a photograph taiceu in 18S0, is a farmer; was born in Warren county, Ohio, Aug. 3, 1812, the fourth child of John and Elizabeth Shaver, nee Weaver, natives of Pennsylvania. His father died when the subject of this sketch was only 10 years old. He had white swelling, his leg was amputated, and the flow of blood caused his death, in Logan county, Ohio, in 1822. His mother afterward married William Hogan, and she died in Logan county, 0., in 1874. John resided with his stepfather until 19 years of age, and then bought his time of him and commenced for himself. His education was in the common schools. He continued to work by the day and month for IS years, gathering money to make a home in his old age. Jan. 1, ISiO, he was married to Elizabetli Bailey, who was born Feb. 12, 1812, in Clinton county, Ohio. He continued to work by the month until 1811. He and his wife, with one child, came to Indiana and located in this tp. on 160 acres of land, which he entered on sec. 20, where he still resides. They have had 7 children; the living are: William F., John H, Louisa (now Mrs. Chapman), and DeWitt C; the 3 deceased are Maria, Abraham and Sarah E.

In March, 1852, Mr. S. lost his amiable companion, and in 1858 he married his present wife. Miss T. A. Dils, who was born in 1826 in Cayuga county, K. Y. They have had 3 children, namely, Ida C, Jennie and Charles C.

Mr. Shaver now owns 180 acres of land in Osolo tp. and 140 in Cass county, Mich., which is worth, at a fair valuation, $25,000. He is a man of great benevolence, and by the work of his own hands has obtained what property he now owns. In 1879 he raised 800 bushels of wheat, 200 of oats, 1,200 of corn, and sold 14 head of hogs, 4 head of cattle and 12 head of sheep. He is now in his 68th year, is hale and hearty, and enjoys the sociability of his friends and children. Politically, he is a Democrat. He has at various times held responsible offices of public trust in this tp., and is classed among the leading citizens. He and his wife are members of the Osolo grang-e.

Mr. Sliaver came to this section in an early day, when friends were friends and help was help; and it is interesting to sit and hear him tell of some of his early history in this State, one especially of a bear hunt in 1850, in whicli a great deal of sport was had killing four of the creatures near his own home, he being the lucky marksman. He captured the rugged monster and her three young cubs. He never had any fear of being hurt, was always venturesome and ready to pursue the chase for game. The account of the bear fight we will give in his own words:

" In the fall of 1851 four black bears wandered from the woods on the farm of Nicholas Smith, whose biography is next given. They were first discovered by Mr. Smith's children, who spread the alarm throughout the neighborhood. I began to make preparations for the fight. In attempting to load the gun, found that I had but one cap, therefore had but one loaded gun; so I and my neighbor, David Bender, started for the woods, David being armed with a pitch-fork. On entering the woods we found two bears in a tree, one in the top the other about 25 feet high. The lower one I shot in the head, which suddenly fell to the ground dead. Ordering Bender to remain by the tree to keep the other from coming down, I proceeded to load my gun. All at once I was astonished by hearing in a loud voice, "The old ones are coming." The mother, on finding one of her cubs dead, gave us a most fearful look. The other cub suddenly falling from the tree, they marched ofl^, but returned again and again to the dead child. They finally hid themselves, however, in the thickets. We pursued them, and shot the old one just back of the shonlders. Being somewhat angry it began to tear up grubs at a most furious rate. It finally ran off toward the Christiana creek.

'' In attempting to reload my gun, broke the ramrod. Fortunately two men came to my assistance, one with a musket, the other with a rifle. On pursuing, found it again, lying in a hole nearly fatigued. It was shot again in the foreleg. By this time I liad ray gun loaded and was in the field ready for action. It ran again. I pursued it and found it standing with its fore feet resting on a log, with tongue out and breathing very hard; at every breath it would jerk its head up and down, and was by this time nearly exhausted. I finally succeeded in getting close enough to it to shoot it in the head, which nearly killed it. I then jumped upon it and cut its throat with a knife. The men told me to get off of it, as I was in a dangerous situation. It then kicked most furiously. We were finally pleased by seeing it breathe its last.

" We then thought we would go back to the woods to find the cubs. We tracked one nearly a mile, found it up a tree; succeeded in killing it. On our way home we found the other sitting by its dead mother, which was soon dispatched."

Nicholas Smith was born in the State of New York Nov. 12, 1807, the son of Joseph and Rebecca (Cummings) Smith, natives of Massachusetts and both now deceased; educated in the common schools of his native State; when of age he learned the carpenter's and painter's trades, working a whole year for $40 and $10 worth of tools ; then worked at carpentering a while for $15 a month, and in his 23d year he and his brother bought a flax mill, and during the winter months they dressed flax; afterward they worked at carpentering for six years. In the spring of 1836 he came West and entered 360 acres of land in Cass county, Mich.; in the fall he returned and married Mary Ann, daughter of Ebenezer Wright; he then moved upon his father's farm, where he remained until the fall of 1845, when he moved to this county, settling in Osolo tp., on a farm of 190 acres owned by his brother; 10 acres of this land were broken, and nothing was upon the place but a small house

Mrs. Smith died in 1847, leaving 3 children: William C.,Judson D. and Mary W. For his second wife Mr. S. married Matilda Olds, who was born near Yonngstown, Ohio., and they had 1 child, Estella. This Mrs. Smith died, and Mr. S. subsequently married Miss Caroline, daughter of Augustus Newell, and a native of Vermont, and of their 3 children, Herbert A. only is living, and George B. and Alice are deceased; they died with the scarlet fever in 1871. Mr. Smith lost his third wife, and he afterward married Mrs. Mary A. Clark, nee Winnins, who had by her former husband 1 child, Lewis L.

Mr. S. now owns 380 acres of land, on sec. 17, besides a large amount elsewhere; he owns an undivided five-ninths of 9,000 acres in the upper peninsula ot Michigan. During 1879 he raised 1,100 bushels of wheat, 2,000 of corn, and 40 tons of hay, etc. He and his wife are members of Osolo grange, and she is also a member of the Copgregational Church.

Richard Smith, farmer, sec. 23; P. O., Elkhart; was born in Pennsylvania, Feb. 4, 1S31, son of J.acob and Mary Smith, natives also of Pennsylvania. His father died in that State in 1852; he was educated in the common schools of that time. His mother died in Elkhart county, Ind., in her 76tb year. He engaged in milling for a number of years in different places. In 1860 he was married to Isabella Dills, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1833. Their family consisted of 2 children: Mary Elnora and Sherman Ellsworth, now deceased. Mr. S. owns 120 acres of land in Osolo tp., worth $60 per acre. They are members of the U. B. Church, and politically Mr. Smith is a Republican.

Samuel Swinehart, Sr., farmer, was born in Union county, Pa. Nov. 6, 1817, son of Jaccb and Rebecca Swinehart, natives also of Pemisylvania, and both deceased. Samuel was educated id the common schools in Ohio and was brought up on a farm. In 1843 he was married to Sarah Weyrick. who also was born in Pennsylvania. They have had 6 children, 2 of whom are deceased: Rebecca A. and James. Those now living are David, Samuel, Elizabeth and Sarah. He came to this county in 1852 and located in Osolo tp., on the farm which he now owns, and which at that time was all in timber, without any improvements, consisting of 160 acres of land, now well improved, with fine buildings, and worth $60 per acre. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the Lutheran Church. Politically, Mr. S. classes himself a rank Democrat.

Samuel Thompson, farmer, sec. 27, was born in Union county Penns^'lvania, Aug. 5, 1817; is the 4th son of Jacob and Margaret Thompson, natives also of Pennsylvania. His father died in April, 1858. Ten years later his mother also died. He was educated in the common schools of his native State; learned the carpenter and joiner's trade under his father's instructions. He was married in

Ohio in 1838, to Martha Ewart, who was born in Ohio and died in 1841. They had 1 child, now the wife of Rev. Hughes, now Minister of the Presbyterian Church in Iowa. In 1844 he was married to Amelia Henderson, who was born in Springfield, Ohio, Nov. 29, 1S22. In 1847 they emigrated to this county and settled on the farm he now owns, consisting of 160 acres of land; is well improved, with good buildings, and is worth $2,000. When he first came to this county he was very limited in circumstances, but by diligence and careful management he has attained the valuable home which he now possesses. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church at Elkhart. He has always been a generous supporter of the Church and is a stalwart Republican.

William Thomjpson^ farmer, sec. 18; P. 0., Elkhart; was born in Union county, Pa., Nov. 19, 1826, son of James and Margaret Thompson, natives of Pennsylvania, both now deceased. His father died in April, 1857, in his SOth year, and his mother in 1864, in her 80th year. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm, and educated in the common schools in Ohio. At the age of 20 he began working for himself, as a farm hand. In 1854 he was married to Mary J., daughter of James and Mary Douglass. Her father was a native of Westfield, Mass., and her mother of Pennsylvania, born May 1, 1831. After marriage he continued farming in Ohio until 1839, when he came and settled on the farm which he now owns, and on which he still lives. It consists of 273 acres of land, which is under a fine state of cultivation, and worth $75 per acre. His children living are: Elmer Ellsworth, Ulysses Grant and Margaret Jane. Four are deceased: Sarah E., Mary E., Chas. J. and William A. They are members of the Osolo grange. Himself and family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. T. is a Republican.

Cyrus Wirt, farmer, see. 26; P. O., Elkhart; was born in Summit county, Ohio, Dec. 2, 1826, son of James and Elizabeth Wirt, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Pennsylvania. His father died April, 1865, in Summit county, Ohio, and his mother died January. 1865, in the same county. He was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools of Ohio. In 1854 he came to this county and located in Washington tp., where he engaged in farming. In 1856 he married Susan Philson, who was born in Pennsylvania Sept. 27, 1837; their family consisted of 9 children; the living are: Louisa A., Cora B., Eliza E., Ida May, Minnie F., Elva B. and James Garfield; 2 are deceased, Orrin H. and Horace L. Mr. W. came to Osolo tp. in 1873, and bought the farm which he now owns, consisting of 225 acres, which is worth $12,000; he is one of the directors of the Home Fire Insurance Co. His two daughters, Louisa and Cora, are teachers; have received a good education in the Elkhart schools, and as teachers have proven their earnestness and capability. Mr. Wirt is a Repuhlican.

0. L. Wood, farmer and dairyman, sec. 32; was born in Canada March 26, 1819; is the son of Luther and Permelia Wood, natives of Vermont, and both deceased. He was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools until 14 years old and then followed the seas, first as a sailor, then was promoted until he reached the position of master in 1849; he then gave up life on the sea and came West and engaged in agricultural pursuits; in connection with his farm he has a lirst-class dairy, consisting of 37 cows, which yield from 50 to 55 gallons of milk per day. Mr. Wood was married in 1842 to Elizabeth Hicks, born in New Jersey in 1820; they have 2 children: Anna, now Mrs. Judson D. Smith, and Charles 0. Mr. W. owns 214 acres of land in a good state of cultivation, worth $100 per acre. In politics, he is a staunch Republican.