Pine Township (part 2 of 5)

River steamboat for a j'ear; the sucreedin^' 3'ear. he -n-orked at farming in -Illinois. He then came to Union Township, broke prairie for a few seasons and has since made his home in Benton County. He has a good farm of 100 acres, and gives the greater part of his attention to stock, shipping from 1,000 to 4,000 head ot hogs, besides cattle, every year. He enlisted, February 32, 1863, in the Twenty-sixth Ohio Battery, and served iintil mustered out at Vicksburg, November 15, 1860. He also participated in the siege of Vicksburg, the battle of Cliampion Hills and other engagements. He is a member of Goodland Lodge, Xo. 44.5. A., F. & A. JL, a charter member of Goodland Post, G. A. R. Mr. Davidson was married. December 16, 1873, to Frances Lucas, a native of Tippecanoe County, Ind. Three children blessed this union. Mr. Davidson is a Republican, and has served as Township Assessor six years.

DeWITT C. DENNISTON, one of the prominent farmers of Benton County, was born .lanuary 19, 1847, in Orange County, X. Y., and is the youngest of four children Iiorn to George and Eva A. (Embler) Denniston, of Irish and German descent respectively. George Denniston was a native of New York, born in July, 1803. He lived on his farm for several years, after which he lived in the town of Newburgh, N. Y., where he had an interest in two grist mills, a store, and near by a farm of 335 acres. He was a member of the Board of Countj' Supervisors for several years, and died November 7, 1879; he and wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. DeWitt C. Denniston received a practical education, and lived with his father's family until twenty years of age. when he went to La Salle Countj', 111., and worked on a farm for a few years. In 1873, he came to Union Township and purchased 300 acres, Avhich he has made one of the liest farms in the county. Mr. Denniston was married May 6, 1875, to Lillie E. Aulsebrook. a native of St. Louis, Mo. They are the parents of three children - George A.. Elizabeth and Sarah M. Mr. Denniston is a Democrat and one of the progressive men of the township.

.JOHN V. FLINT. The father ot our snbjc'ct - Zachariah Flint - was a native of New York, born March 13. 1807. In 1843, he moved with his family to Greenville, N. .1., where he remained about fnurteen years, when he wenttoAVill Count}", 111.; remained until 1870, then came to Union Township, where he bought a farm of eighty acres; he died Decemlier 10, 1877. .lohn C. Flint was born May 30. 1838. in Montgomeiy County, N. Y., and is one of the seven children of Zachariah andilargaretta (Rowe) Flint, both of German descent. He has been engaged in farming all his life. After his return from the war he rented and worked farms in Kankakee County, 111., for two years, when he came to L^nion Townshipi, Benton County. Ind.. and bought the eighty acres on which he resides. Lie enlisted. August 16. 1861, in Company K, Forty-second Illinois Voluntary Infantry, and-served until mustered out at Port Lavaca, Texas, December 16, 1865. He participated in the sieges of Island No. 10, Corinth. Nashville. Atlanta auil Chattanooga; also at Stone River, Chickamanga, Columbia, Nashville. Spring Hill and the Tullahoma campaign. Mr. Flint was married, March IS. 1867, to ^Miss R. A. Rowe. a native of Illinois, and thev are the parents ot six children, live of whom are living. Mr. Flint is a Republican and he and wife are members of the United Brethren Church.

EBER C. FORBES was born March 33. IS.511. in Will County. 111., and is the youngest of three sons liorn to Jami's and Eli/abeth i,Merwin) Forbes. James Forbes was a native of New York, and farming was his vocation. When a young man, he moved with his father to Wilmington. Will Co.. 111., and there bought a farm, which he owned at his death. Jlay 30t I81U. Ebcr C. Forbes, at the age of fourteen, was left an (U'phan. and was obliged to support himself. Ho. in counectiun with his brother, worked the luniic farm for three years, after which he worked by the month for two or three years, and then spent some time in the Western Stales, W(U'king for a stage company. He returned to Will Count}", III., and. with his lirother, bought haul, and remained three years. In 1874, he came to Union Township, and the next year rented the farm on which he still resides. Mr. Forbes was married. February 34. 1875. to Alice J. ^[I'Elvane, a native of Kankakee Countv. 111., and four children - three of whom, Lillie E., Daisy M. and Walter A., are living - have blessed lliis union, Mr. Forbes is a Republican, and one of the enterprising farmers of the township,

1)AV11> II. FULLETON was born April 4, is;!5. in Clinton County, Ohio, and is one of six children lunn to James ami JIary (Kyle) Fnlleton, liotli of Scotch- Irish descent, .lames Fullcl(ni was a native of Pennsylvania. In his vouth. he went to Ohio, where he learned the l)l.'icksinith trade, which he followed for a few years, and engaged in larming. About b84o. he returned to his old home in Peiuisylvania. where he remained two years, then removed to Michigan, where he remained live years, anil thence to La Salle County. 111. Two yearslieforc his dealb. in IH7I!, he went to Iroquois County, 111. Both'he and wife were members of thejNl. K, Chm-eh. David 11. Fnlleton, at an early age, learned the blacksmith's trade, but never followed it as a business. He lived with his parents until his majority, and, in 1859, carue to Union Township, Benton Co., Ind., and bought 400 acres of land, from which he has sold 160, and has yet 210 acres well improved. Two years previous to his removal to Indiana, he carried on the business of making corn plows at I'tica. 111., and for three years operated a coal mine in La Salle County. Mr. Fulleton was married, July 29, 18.58, to Mary A. Solomon, a native of West Kent, England, and bj' her is the father of eight children, seven of whom are living. Mr. Fulleton is a Republican, and one of the substantial men of the county. He and wife are members of the United Brethren Church.

JAMES GILMORE, one of the enterprising farmers of the township, was born November 20, 1841, in Ireland, and is one of five children born to Samuel and Margaret (Curry) Gilmore, both of Scotch descent. Samuel G-ilmore was a native of Ireland, and followed farming through life, having owned a farm of thirty-four acres, and valued at §2,000. fie died December 31, 186.5. James Gilmore received a practical education, and lived with his father's farailj- until eighteen years of age. when he went to Orleans County. Vt.. and remained there about two years. He next went to La Salle County, 111., and rented and worked farms for seven years, after which he went to Livingston County, and remained there two years. In 1874, he came to I'nion Township, Benton Co.. Ind., where he purchased a farm of eighty acres, to which he has added sixty acres, making a well-improved farm of 140 acres. Mr. Gilmore was united in marriage with Mary J. Stevenson, a native of Ayrshire, Scotland, March 31, 1863, and three children - Samuel J., JohnW. and ilinnie A. - have blessed this union, all of whom are living.

A3I0S HAGENBUCH was born March 27, 184.S, in Delaware County, Ind., and was one of thirteen children born to Enoch and Christina (Greenawalt) Hagenbuch, both of German descent. Enoch Hagenbuch was a native of Schuylkill County, Penn., and traced his ancestrj' to one Andrew Hagenbuch. a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, born in 1711, who came to this country in 1737, and settled in Pennsylvania. "He was a tanner, and had three children, one of whom, Michael, was the grandfather of the above. He was born in 173S, and had seven children, four sons - Christian, Heniy, Jacob and Andrew. Jacob, the father of Enoch, was horn June 13, 1777, and died January 8, 1842. He was married, August 24, 1799, to Magdalena Wolf, who died December 22. 1817; they had ten children. Enoch, the father of our subject, being the seventh, was born November 8, 1814, and is still living. By a second marriage, in 1818, to Magdalene Knapper, he had four children. Enoch Hagenbuch followed farming all'his life. He removed to Ohio, and thence to Pennsylvania in a short time, but soon after went to Delaware County, Ind. In 1852, he removed to La Salle County, 111., where he bought a large farm, and is now living a retired life at Utica. Amos Hagenbuch lived with his parents until he was twenty-three years of age. In 1875, he came to Benton County, Ind. After three years, he returned to La Salle County, and remained until 1880, then came to Union Township. Benton County, to the farm which he had previously ' bought. He now owns 480 acres of well-improved land, with fine buildings. He is a member of Waltham Lodge. No. 384. A. F. & A. M. He was married, February 20, 1873, to Louisa M. Douvia, a native of France, born February 15, 1849, They have four children - Albert H., Amos E., Allen W. and George W. Mr. Hagenbuch is a Republican, one of the extensive farmers of the township and county, and the heaviest taxpayer in I^nion Township.

ISAAC HESS is one of five children born to Jonathan and Nancy (Klinefelter) Hess, and was born May 25, 1844, in Lebanon County, Penn. -Jonathan Hess was a native of Pennsylvania," a carpenter and architect, and worked on several buildings in Philadelphia, among which was Independence Hall. In 1848, he moved with his family to La Salle County, 111., where he lived until his death in November, 1852. He seWd in the Penn.S3dvania MiUtia. and he and wife are members of the Church of God. Isaac Hess received a common school education, learned the carpenter's trade, but has followed it little. He lived with his parents until twenty-two years of age, and moved with them to Illinois, where he rented and worked farms for about three years, and thence came to Union Township, Benton County, Ind., which has since been his home. Mr. Hess was married. February 1, 1866, to JIaggie Fowlie, a native of Scotland, and three children - Nancy A., Alice A. and Loy E. - have blessed this union. Mr. Hess is a Republican and one of the progressive men of the township. He owns eighty acres of tinely improved land, and is extensively engaged in stock-raising.

.JOHN KAAR, tile manufacturer, is a native of the same State as his father- New Jersey - and is the eldest of two children born to George and Eliza (Sharp) Kaar. The occupation of George Kaar was farming. He became a resident of Will County, 111., in 1853. He and wife are now living a retired life at Princeton, and are members of the Lutheran Church. John Kaar, born February 9, 1845, secured a practical education, moved West witli his parents when eight years old, and since the aee of twenty-four has been doing for himself. After his marriage with Emma J. Le^Fevre, March 2, 1869, he rented his father's farm until 1874, when he removed to Benton County, Ind., purchasing a good farm in Union Township, on which he still resides. In 1881, he erected a tile factorv, 18x150 feet, which the next year he enlarged to 84x18.5 feet, with a shed 41 feet square. This he operated until November, 1882, when it was destroyed by fire. The spring of 1883, he erected one of the largest factories in Benton County, if not in the State. It has an engine-room 20x50 feet, with four furnaces capable of producing i?2,u00 worth of tile per month, and is admirably arranged with steam pipes for winter work. Mr. Kaar is a Democrat. He and wife arc the parents of five children.

.1. PERRY LEMASTERS is a native of Indiana, born December 7, 1850. in Adams County, and is one of the eight children of Cornelius B. and Lucy (Rice) Lemasters. Cornelius B. Lemasters was a native of Carroll Count}', Ohio, born March 12, 1821, and was a farmer. "While a bo}', he moved with his parents to Adams County, Ind., where he remained until 1864. In that year he came to Newton County and purchased eighty acres near Goodland, which he owned until 1874. This he sold, and rented until 1878, when he came to 132 acres previously purchased in Union Township, from which he has sold fifty-six acres. He was Sheriff of Adams County one term and Deputy several years. " J. Perry Lemasters lived with his parents until he was sixteen. After leaving home, he attended .school at Battle Ground one term, clerked in a hotel at Logausport one summer and was then employed in a hotel in Goodland about two years, since when he has rented and worked farms in Union Township, and has for five years rented a farm in Section 27, owned by D. C. Denniston. He is a member of Fowler Lodge, No. 460. I. O. 0. P., and a Democrat. Mr. Lemasters was married, January 1.5T 1874, to Bell May, of New York, with a result of three children. 3Irs. Lemasters died August 14, 1881. Mr. Lemasters married his present wife, Ida Ladd, a native of Benton County, in September, 1882.

JAMES MEAD, farmer and old settler, was born in Morris County, N. J., November 3, 1830, and is one of eight children born to Garrett and Nancy (Post) Mead. He learned house carpentering, which he followed five or six years, then went to farming. In 1856, he removed to Chicago, where he remained six months, thence to Ottawa, 111., wliere he remained eleven years, when he came to Union Township, Benton County, Ind., then a wild prairie. He rented a farm for two years, when he bought 160 acres, which he still owns, and in addition rents 160 acres. He managed a corn sheller for about ten years, having shelled over 500,000 bushels of corn during that time, by which he lost two fingers of his right hand. He has held the office of Road Superintendent. April 6, is5ii, he married Samantha Hadley, a native of (3hio. Eight children have blessed this union, seven of whom are living. Jlr. Mead is a Republican and a member of Benton Lodge. No. 521, A., F. & A. M. Garrett Mead, father of James, was a native of Bloommndale "Morris Co., N. J., and while young learned the fuller trade, which he followed several years, after wliich he turned his attention to farming, and continued the same until his death. May 10, 1871. Both he and wife were members of the Presbvterian Church.

WILBER F. MEADER, one of the old settlers and enterprisiun- farmers of Union Township, was l)orii August 11, 1834, at Industry, Me,, and is one of the six children of Shubal L. and Abigail (Fallctt) Meader. His father was also a natiVe of Maine and could trace his ancestry to an early period in the history of our country, lie followed farming the greater part of his life, but while in his native State worked a portion of the time in a saw mill. In 1814, he emigrated to Indiana and settled in Dearborn County, where he remained six years,' when he removed to Kankakee Countj', 111 and tor three years kept a toll-bridge at .Aloraence where he died m the spring of ISiiO. He had held various ollices of local trust and he and wife were members of the M, E. Cliurch. Wilbcr F. Meader learned the stonecutter s trade, but followed it only two or three years, since when he has been engaged in farming. At tlie age of ten, he eame'wilh his parents to Dearborn County, Inc. , anil afterwar.l removed with them to Kankakee County HI 'where he remaiiH'd untin873, wlicii he came to Union Township. Benton Co Ind and bought eighty acres of wild land, and converted it to a high state of cultiva on he native of Montgomery County, Ind., who followed farming all his life; he owned a farm in his native county, which he sold in the spring of 1861, and the next year moved with his family to Center Township. Benton County; remained four years, and then came to Union Township. Mr. Michael owned this place two years, when he located where he died, which place is now owned by his heirs. He was an enthusiastic temperance man, and for several years a member of the I. 0. Q. T. Neal D. Michael received a limited education, which he has since improved by his own efEorts. He remained at home until his father's death, when he became the head of the family, and has since managed the farm, where he now lives with one sister and two brothers. Mr. Michael is a Republican, and is one of the progressive young men who have grown up in the township.

JOSEPH MOiSTTT, a native of Lower Canada, was born June 17, 1836, and is one of seven children born to Joseph and Isabel (McQaaid) Monty, of French and Scotch descent respectively. Joseph Monty, 8r., was a native of Canada, where he followed farming all bis life, and was a member of the Catholic Church. Joseph Monty, Jr., has made farming his life vocation. In 18.54, he moved to Illinois and remained working on the farm by the month and renting farms until 1860, when he went West, and for one year engaged in driving team from Kansas City to New Mexico and Colorado. He returned to Illinois, where he remained until 1868, then came to Union Township, Benton Co., Ind., and purchased 160 acres of laud where he still resides, and has most highlj' cultivated; he has erected fine buildings, and has one of the best farms in the county. August 1, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Sixty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until discharged from the hospital at Quincy, 111., May 2, 186.5. He participated in the battles of Corinth and the Atlanta campaign, and was wounded before Atlanta July 92, 1864, from which he has never fully recovered. He is a member of G-oodland Lodge, No. 445, A., F. & A. M., and also of Goodland Post, G. A. R. Mr. Monty was married January 39, 1874, to Hilda Bloom, a native of Kankakee Count}^ 111. He is a Republican, and one of the leading farmers of the county.

JOHN W. NUTT was born May 5, 1816, in Loudoun County, Va., and is the only child of Joseph and Mary (Wolfcale) Nutt, of Scotch and German descent respectively. At the age of nineteen, his parents died, leaving about $1,000 for his support. For two years he worked on the farm of his uncle, and during this time bought a farm of eighty acres, and soon after married and settled. He made this his home for eighteen years, adding to it. meanwhile, 100 acres. In 1858, he sold it, rented another farm in the same county for four years, and in 1862 came to Union Township, Benton Co., Ind., and bought 520 acres of wild prairie, from which he sold .160 acres, leaving 360 acres of well-improved land, \ipon which he still resides. He was Trustee of Union Township six years, and has the honor of having named the township. Mr. Nutt was married in September, 1839, to Sarah J. McCollough, a native of Montgomery County, Ind , to which union twelve children were born, nine of whom are living. Mr. Nutt is a Republican, and a pioneer of Benton County. His father, Joseph Nutt, was a native of Bucks County, Penn., and followed farming all his life. While a boy, he moved with his parents to Loudoun County. Va., where he remained until 1830; he then came to Montgomery County, Ind., where he rented land until his death in September, 1835. Mr. Nutt served in the American Army during the whole of the war of 1812, and he and wife were members of the Society of Friends.

WILLIAM B. NUTT was born February 18, 1844, in Montgomery County, Ind., and is one of twelve children born to John W. and Sarah (McCollough) Nutt, who were of German and Scotch descent respectively ; he received an ordinary education, and resided with his parents and worked on the farm until he was twentyfive years old. In 1861, he came with the family to Union Township, Benton Co., Ind., to the place now owned by Samuel N. Nutt. For about two years he worked on land rented from his father, but in 1870 bouglit a farm of 160 acres, on which he lives, and devotes the greater part of his attention to stock-raising. Both Mr. Nutt and wife are members of the Christain Church. He was married, December 34. 1875, to Malvina Lipscomb, a native of Virginia. Three children - Oliver I., Boy 0. and Anna F.^-have blessed this union. Mr. Nutt is a Republican, and one of the oldest settlers and most prominent men of the township.

WILLIAM ROWE was born July 25, 1803, near Troy, N. Y., and is one of the eleven children of John and Mary (Ruff) Rowe, both of German descent. His father was a native of New York, and learned the liatter's trade at Albany, which he followed until he retired, after which he went to live with a son in New York, and there died in his seventy-seventh year. William Rowe educated himself, and learned coopering, which he followed a few years ; he then gave attention to farming, which he has since followed. In 1836, he moved to Will County, 111., and bought a farm, which he owned until about 1868. This he sold, and came to Union

Totvnship, Benton Co., Ind., where he purchased 480 acres, from which he sold 160, and gave to his sons eighty acres each ; he now owns 156 acres of improvea lana, on which he resides ; he is a member of the United Brethren Church, and was married, November 16, 1827, to Mary A. Teneyck, of New York, and twelve children, ten of whom are living, blessed this union. Mrs. Rowe died Jtily ^b, l»5b. m^. Rowe is a Republican, and a pioneer of the West. Winfield S. Rowe son of the above, was born April 27, 1849, in Rockville, Kankakee Co., 111. ; has followed farming the greater part of his life, and lived with his father to the present time removing to Indiana in 1869. He has owned the farms now owned by the heirs of. h. Stevens John Wilkinson and Frank Clark ; he is a member of Goodland Lodge, No 445 A F & A. M., and Goodland Lodge, No. 346, I. O. O. F. He was married October 1, 1878, to Florence Mann, and by her is the father of three children - Mabel I., Helen W. and Hartley. . ^

WARREN B. ROWLEY is a native of New York ; was born m Eaton, bteuben County, March 31, 1845, and is one of eight children born to Philo J. and Abigailj. (Brown) Rowley. Philo J. Rowley was a native of Schoharie County, N. Y., born February 5, 1810, and after spending some time in farming in his native State and in Illinois, came to Union Township, this county, and in connection with his son, purchased a farm of 220 acres, on which he lived until his death. December 4, 1880 ; he and wife are members of the Baptist Church. Warren B. Rowley received good educational advantages in youth, and for a time taught school, but has since made his chief business farming ; he emigrated with his parents from New York to Chicago, and came to Union Township in March, 1872, and still resides on the farm purchased b}' himself and father; he gives some attention to stock-raising, and he and wife are members of the Baptist "Church. Mr. Rowley was married, January 8, 1871, to Mary A. Farrel, a native of Albany, N. Y., and "four children - Clara A., Addie E., Nellie E. and Frank I. - have been born to them. Mrs. Rowley died March 10, 1880. Mr. Rowley was next married, July 2, 1882, to Nettie A. Bruce, a native of Jasper County.

EPHRAIM SAYER8 was born March 20, 1835, in Marion County, Ohio, and is one of thirteen children born to William and Charlotte (Martin) Sayers. William Sayers was a native of Virginia, and moved with his parents to Pennsylvania, where he followed farming in connection with wagon-making. After some _vears, during which he married, lie removed to Marion County, Ohio, where he bought a farm and remained about ten years, after which he went to Fountain County. Ind., and remained there and in Montgomerj' County until the spring of 1857. when he came to Union Township, Benton County, Ind., and bought a farm of 880 acres, from which he sold 640 acres. In 1866, he went to Kansas, where he died February 12, 1867. He served in the American Army during the war of 1812. He was a pioneer of this State and of Ohio, and both iie and wife were members of the 51. E. Church. Ephraim Saj'ers lived with his father's family until his marriage, and re moved with them to Indiana. In 1860, he worked and owned the farm now owned by David Reed, until 1869, when he moved to the 340 acres on which he still resides. Both he and wife are members of the U. B. Church, and he was first elected Trustee of Union Township. He was married. October 13, 1859, to Amanda Dawson, a native of Warren Count}-, Ind. Ten children have been born to them, eight of whom are living. Mr. Sayers is a Republican, and one of the old settlers and prominent men of tlie township and count}-.

JAMES D. SMYTH, one of the prominent men of Benton County, was born in Ross County. Ohio, December 18. 1842, and is one of six children born to Douglas and Rachel (C'onner) Smyth. Douglas Smyth was a native of Londonderry County, Ireland, and received agood education. At an early age he entered a store asclerk, and for fifty years was engaged in the dry goods trade. In 1832. he removed to Ross County, Oliio, anil went into partner.^hip with Frederick Edwards, in the dry goods business, until 18(12. when be sold his store, went to a farm in Pickaway County, Ohio, and remained four years. After this, having lived again in Ross County, he came to Oxford, Benton County, Ind., where he engaged in merchandising, whicli he continued until 1869, wlicn he relumed to Ross Count}-, and resided un(il Ids dealli. James D. Smyth has a good, practical education. In youth, lie enlered liis falbci's store as clerk. In I8(i9. be bcught said store, and, in connicliwn Avitli .I0I111 Tullis and Isaac .lulian. respectively, continued the business until tM77. In November, 1880. he opened a lioot and shoe store, now occupied by Camvibell & (\ibb, which he conducted until February. 1883. when he sold out aiul came 10 LcM'hiel, will re he opened a general dry goods and grocery store, and has an uuiisually large slock. This is (he finest slore in Ibe township, and Mr. Smyth has just received bis conimissiim as I'ostniaslcr at Loehiel, it being the first post olfice m the lownsbiii. lie was married, October 28, 18(i9, to Melvina E. Boswell, of Benton County. Five children have blessed this union. Mr. Smyth is a Republican.

ABNER T. STEVENS, farmer, was born April 9, 1834, in Erie County. X. y., and is one of eight children Ijorn to Ansel and Merrllai (Foster) Stevens. Ansel Stevens was a native of Vermont, and has been a farmer all his life. At the aiie of sixteen, he moved with his brother to Erie County, N. Y.. where he remained'until 18J4, -when he went to Du Pag-e County, 111., and has since been encased in agriculture. Abner T. Stevens lived Avith his parents until about twenty-two years of age. and moved with them to Illinois. He there worked on the farm by the month, for eight years, remaining with one man the whole time, and afterward purchased a farm in Irociuois County, III., where he remained five years. In 1871, he came to Union Township, this county, and bought a farm of 160 acres, upon which he still resides. Mr. Stevens is a lie'publicau. and Avas married. October 11, 1861, to Rosella Bovee, a native a Canada, and five children have blessed this union.

GEORGE E. STREETER. farmer, is a native of JIcHenry County, 111.; was born November iS. 1848, and is one of the six children of Zeno and ilary (Everett) Streeter. He received a practical education, and lived at home until he was twenty-two years of age. InlSTi, he came to Union Towuslrip and bought the farm of ISO acres on which he has since resided. He was married, September 21, 1870, to Miss Minnie Seely, a native of Illinois, and by her is the father of four children- Arthur, Edith, Zeno and Raymond. Zeno Streeter, father of George E., was a native of Massachusetts, and of limited education. He was a wheelwrfght by trade, an occupation which he followed several years, after which he turned his attention to farming. While yet a boy. he moved with his parents to New York, where thev remained a short time, and later he went to Chicago, and remained about eight years. He then purchased a farm in Kankakee County, 111., which he owned "until his death. .Tune 14. 1882. Both he and wife were members of the M. E. Church.

JOHN ^X. SWAN was born in ilontgomcry County. Ind. , May 28. 1828, and is one of ten children born to Robert and Elizaljeth Swan, of German and Scotch descent respectively. Robert Swan, father of our subject, was a native of South Carolina, born in 1799. During his early life, he followed the profession of teaching, but at the age of eighteen moved to Tennessee; was there married, and remainecl about five years, when he removed to Ohio, and was there two years. About 182.5, he removed to Montgomery County, Ind., where he farmed in the summer and taught school in the winter. In 1838, he went to Iowa, where he is supposed to have been killed by the Indians, as no tidings of him have ever reached his family. lie was Captain of a militia company in the Black Hawk war. At eighteen, John W. Swan began teaching in the district schools, and until 18()8 followed teaching in conhection with farming; since then he has given his entire attention to the latter. In 1856, he came to Union Townsliip, Benton Co., lud.. where he bought 160 acres of land, to which he has since added 400 acres, making a farm of .560 acres of wellimproved land. Mr. Swan was married. August 17. 1852. to Ann C. McCollough, a native of Jefferson County. Six children, four of whom are living, have blessed this union. He is a Greenbacker. and he and wife are members of "the Disciples' CTiurch.

HENRY TIMMONS was born March 13, 1837, in Ross County, Ohio, and is one of nine children born to .Joseph and Nelly (Bailey) Timmons. When two years of age, he came to Warren County, Ind.. and from the age of thirteen until he was twenty-three worked on the farm b^^ the month. In 1861. he came to Union Township and settled on eighty acres, previouslj' purchased by his father, and to this he has added 120, making a "total of 200 acres of well-improved land. September 11, 1861, Mr. Timmons enlisted in Company G. Tenth Indiana Volunteer Inj fantry. and served until mustered out Septemlier 19. 1864. having participated a Mill Springs and other important engagements. He is a member of Green Hill Lodge. No. 455. A., F. & A. M.. and a Republican, and was Trustee of Union Township tor six years. Mr. Timmons was married November 20, 1866, to Maria Massej', a native of Tippecanoe County, Ind. Eight children have resulted from this union, five of whom are living. Both himself and wife are members of the United Brethren Church. Joseph Timmons. father of Henry, was a native of Maryland, and removed to Ross County. Ohio, with his father's family, when two years of age. In early life, he was a surve3'or, and in 1834 moved to Warren County, Ind.. but remained only two years, when he returned to Ross County, Ohio. In 1839, he returned to Warren County. Ind.. renniined until 1852. and thence came to Benton County, Ind., and settled in Gilboa Township. After six j'ears. he returned to Warren Count}', where he died in November. 1867. He was for vears .Justice of the Peace, for eighteen years an ordained Elder in the United Brethren Church, and was a thorough Biblical scholar.

JAMES E. WATT, a native of ''Bonnie Scotland," was born in Aberdeenshire October 33, 1830, and is one of six chililren born to Alexander and Christina (Elms- He) Watt, both natives of Scotland. Alexander Watt was born in 1793, received a collegiate education, and graduated from Aberdeen. He was Corporal in a British regiment at Waterloo, Ijut after his return from the army was engaged in tarmmg in connection with a boot, shoe and harness shop. Mr. and Mrs. \V att were members of the Presbyterian Church, and he died in 1846. James E. AYatt received a practical education, and has followed farming. He lived with his parents until his majority, after which l\e came to Richland County, Ohio, remained one winter, and tlience went to Soutli Bend, made brick for a season, and, at the end of the year, went to La Salle County, 111., where he worked three years by the month. After this, he rented and worked farms for four years, and nine years later came to Union Town.ship this county, soon after going to Kentland and remaining several years. In 1880 he came again to Union Township, wliere he bought a farm of 240 acres, and here he resides. Mr. Watt was married, April 12, 1S59, to Lydia Hagenbuch, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he is the father of fourteen children, eleven of whom are living". The parents are members of the Presbyterian Church.

ABRAHAM W. WILLIAMS, a prominent resident of L^nion Township, was born February 7, lKii\ in Licking Countv, Chio. and is one of eight children born to Philip and Nancy J. (Graves/ Willianis, the former of Welsh and the latter of English descent. Philip Williams was a native of Virginia, and learned distilling, whicli he followed several years, after which he gave attention to farming. He died in Licking County, Ohio, in April, 1842. Abraham W. Williams, when seventeen 3'ears of age, left home and went to work b.v the month. In 1861, he went to Wayne County. Iowa, and was there engaged in farming until 1866. After the war, he went to Union County, i!)hio. where he remained about four years, being ageiitfor the C, C, C, & I. R.'R.. at Unionville. Laterhe went to Goodland. Xewton Co.. Ind., and bought property and remained until 1869, when he came to the farm of 160 acres owned by him in Union Township. Benton County. L"pon this he resides, and has erected a good house. November 14, 1861. he enlisted in Company H. Fifth Kansas Cavaliw; was mustered in at Fort Leavenworth, and served mostly in Arkansas until mustered out December 8, 1869. Mr. Williams and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. lie is also a member of Goodland Post, G. A. R., and a Republican. He was married. March 15, 1865, to Sarah J. Ilawn, of ITnion County, Ohio. Six children have lilessed this union.

.lOIIN WOODBURN. farmer, was born xVugust 8, 1848, in Perry County. Penn., and is one of the eleven children of James and Mary (\Vait) Woodburn. of Irish and English descent respectively. James Woodburn was a native of Pennsylvania, and a farmer. In 18.53, he emigrated to Miami County. Ind.. where he bought a farm and lived until aliout 1872, wlien he removed to Union Township. Benton County, and purchased a farm of forty acres, where he still resides; he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. John Woodburn received a practical education, and at the age of si.xteen left his father's famil_v and came to IBenton County in 1866, where he worked on farms by the month for four years. After this he bought a farm in Richland Township, which he soon sold, ami afterward purchased tlie one owned by Charles Mcader, after wliieh lie l)ought forty acres in Section 27, In 1881, he purchased 160 acres, eighty of whieli he still owns. Mi'. Woodburn enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Fifty-tirst ludiana Volunteer Infantry. Januaiy 19, 1865, and served until mustered out in September. 1865. He is a Republican and a member of Post No. 25. G. A. R.

WILLIAM YANCEY, farmer, was born May 31. 1830. in Tennessee, and is one of twelve children born to Alexander and Elizabeth Yancey, the former of French- Irisji and the latter of Seolcli and Irish descenl. Alexander Yancey was a native of Soutli Carolina, and learned the millwriglit trade, following that until he came to Indiana. At the age of sixteen, he moved to Tennessee, and remained there until 1841, wlien lie removed to Hamilton County. Ind., where he remained until 1858, and then went to Missouri, where he resides. He served in the Union army during the rcliellion. from 1S62 until 1865, and took part in many important battles. William Yancey followed farming, with the exception of working at the carpenter trade at times, all his life. At the age of ten he removed with'his father'.s family to Hamiltcui County. Ind.. where he remained until he was twenty-eight years of age, when he went to Tippecanoe County, and was there one year. In the sprin'^%f 1859, he came to Benlon County, and located a short distance north of Oxford." In 1871, he removed to Union Township and purchased a farm of 160 acres, upon which he still resides. He has the remarkable experience of running a threshing machine for Iwenty-six falls. Mr. Yancey was married, November 19, 1855, to SLuia Wonesettler, a native of Pennsylvania, and eight children have blessed this union, seven of wliom are living.

H. C. BUGBEE is the son of Amos and Sarah (Spalding) Bugbee, and was born in Plainfield, N. H., in 1841. When about twenty-one years of age, be enlisted in the Ninth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, and served until 1865, when he was honorably discharged at Washington, D. C. In 1866. he moved to Bereau County, Dl.; farmed during the summer and taught school during the winter until 1869, when he came to this township and settled on a farm of eighty acres, which he has greatly improved. ' In 1870. he m.arried .Julia A., daughter of William and Delilah (Cox) Daniels, and is now the father of five boj's. In 1880. he was elected Township Trustee by the Republicans, and in 1882 re-elected. Both he and wife are members of tte Baptist Cliurch.

I AJX)N^OC\OWGILL. son of Israel and Elizabeth (Donnelly) Cowgill, was born in fe?TWmbia5S~votmty. Ohio. Novemlier '20, 1S40. He came to Warren Count}', Ind.. in 1846, and in 1856 to Pine Townsliip, this county. In 1861, he enlisted in Company D. Tentli Indiana Volunteer Infantr_y, being the second man to enroll in that company. At theToattle of Chickamauga, September 19, 1863, he was shot through both legs, and in 1864 received liis discharge. In 1865, he married Miss Mary A., daughter of William and Malinda (Bucket) Massey, and to this marriage have been born six children, of whom foiu- are living. Mr. Cowgill was elected Sheriii of Benton County by the Republicans in 18(36. and served two terms. He also moved to Oxford in 1866 and; in 1870, purchased the Tribune, which he conducted until Jidy. 1876; in 1870, also, he was appointed Postmaster at Oxford, which office he resigned in 1872. when a candidate as jointRepresentative for White and Benton Counties, for which office he was beaten bj- Robert Gregory with a ma.i(.rity of only sixty votes in lioth counties. Mr. Cowgill is a Past Grand of Oxford Lodge, No. 169. I. 0. 0. F.. Past Chief Patriarch of Oak Grove Encampment, No. 137, was for many vears connected w-ith the Good Templars of Oxford, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church. In 1881, he settled on forty acres in this town.ship, and in 1883 his house and library were destroyed bj' tire, entailing upon him a loss of $1,200.

PHILLIP V. DOBBINS is a native of White County, Ind.. is the son of William and Elizabeth (Leatherman) Dobluns. and was Ijorn in 1853. He was reared a farmer, received a fair education in youth, and worked industriously until 1874, when lie married, in his native county. ^liss Sarah Steely, a daughter of Edward and Martha (Brink) Steely, and then moved to this county, where he is still engaged in general farming. He is a Republican in politics, is always active for the success of his partv. and is a thoroiighlv good citizen.

JAMES ERASER, son of Donald and Elizabelb (Mcintosh) Eraser, was born in the parish of Blair-Athol. Perthshire, Scotland. September 4, 1813. At the age of about fifteen, he hired out as a farm hand, receiving about 25 cents per day for his latjor for nearly twenty-six years - the highest price paid. In 1854. he came to Canada to superintend a farm for a friend; in 1856, he moved to New York, wiiere he was employed in farming until 1871, when he came to this countj' and settled on eighty acres he had purchased in 1869; he has taken great pains in improving his place" and has a fine orchard of all kinds of fruit. .Tune 211, 1846, he married Sarah Robison, daughter of Donald and .lane (Canipliell) Robison, and to this union luxve been liorn five children, of whom tliree are living - Jane C, who was born in Scotland in 1847; Daniel, a member of the Fowler bar, who was born in Canada in 1855; and Charles William, who is at home, and was born in New York in b858. Mr. and Mrs. Fraser are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and of the Blood-Washed Arlnv. and are hiirhly-respected citizens.

LUCAS 8. GAHVIN was liorn in Kosciusko County, Ind., October 25, 1836, and is the son of James and Prudence (Powell) Garvin. In 1864, he moved to Jlichigan, but returned in 1869, and in 1873 came to this township and purchased a farm of 220 acres, known as the Denton Grove Farm, one of the oldest in the county, where he is still carrying on general farming and stock-raising. May 29. 1860, he married Jane Denny, daughter of James and Amy (Jackson) Denny, and to this union have been born five children - four boys and one girl. Mr. and Mrs. Garvin are members of the Baptist Church, and during liis sojourn in Michigan Mr. Garvin was elected Treasurer of Home Township, Montcalm County, whicli position he filled with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the conimunitv.

DANIEL HxiUK, sou of Philip and Sarah (Baldwin) Hauk, was born in the town of Venice, Butler Co., Ohio, in 1833. In 1839, he was removed by his parents to Montgomery County. Ind., where he assisted on the home farm until 18.j9, when he married Miss Missouri Tracy, daughter of Bazil and Elizabeth Tracy, and in 1800 came to this township, purchased 120 acres of good land, erected substantial buildings, and began general farming and stock-raising, whicli he still follows. In politics, he is a Democrat, and takes an active part in the public affairs of his township. He aud wife are members of the Church of God. Mr. H. having joined at the age of eighteen, and they are tlie parents of one son and two daughters.

WILLIAM HOWARD is a native of England, is tlie son of George and Anna (Curapton) Howard, and was born November 19, 1837. In 1843, he came to New York with his parents, wlio there died when our subject was but thirteen years old. He learned carpentering, and in 18,57 moved to Kendallville. Ind., where he followed his trade until 1870, when he purchssed 160 acres in this county, and a year later moved upon the same; he has sinc'e increased his farm to 240 acres, and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, giving special attention to hogs, of which he possesses some choice breeds. He uses steamed food for his stock, saving about 33 per cent in consumption. In 18.58, he married ,?opliia Vereland. a daughter of Rufus and Jane (Moore) Vereland. and is the father of four boys and one girl. In 1880, Mr. Howard had the misfortune to lose his riglit hand in a corn-sheller. but otherwise he enjoys excellent health. He is a Republican, and he and family are among the most respected of Gilboa Township.

E A. HUNT was born in Litchlield County, Conn., August 11. 1828, and is the son of Mitchell aud Mary (Kingsbury) Hunt. He received a good education in his youth, and at the age of si.xteeu began to learn tanning and currying, which he followed until 1849, when he went to New Haven, worked on a farm until 18.57, and then moved to Illinois, where he farmed until 1874. when he came to this township, where he owns a good farm of 160 acres, and is engaged in general farming and stock raising. His dwelling and other improvements are first-class, and his two barns are supplied with Church's patent hay elevator and carrier, for which he is the agent in Warren, Benton. .Jasper and Newton Counties. In 1855, he married Lydia A. Hemingway, a resident of New Haven County. Conn. Both are members of the Baptist Churcli, aud are liighlv respected bv their neighbors. The mother of Mr. Hunt died in 1835 and his father'in 1869.

ROBERT LITTLE, son of Guy and Jennetta (Dickson) Little, was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, March 10, 1817. When about twelve years of age, he began to learn weaving, at wliicli he W(uked imtil 1835. when he came to America, landing in New Ynrk. He passed eight months in Canada, then returued to New York, but shortlj' after moved to Pennsylvania, where, in 1839, he married ,Iaue Brine, a native of the North of Ireland. He engaged in weaving and farming until 1S55, in which year his fattier died in Canada, when lie moved to Illinois, purchased a farm and conducted it until 1S71 : he tlien came to this township, wliere he owns lliO acres of hue land on Section 13, well stocked ami furnished with good buildinirs and all kinds of fruit. He had liorn to liim seven cliildnui - .Taue. born in 1840: Robert, in 1842: James, in 1843: tbiy. in 1S45; Jlary. in 1S47: Anna, in 1.849. and AYilliara Jolin in 1852. and all in Pennsylvania excepting Mary, who was born in New Jersey. Mr. Little is a successful f;u-mer, and stands liigli in the esteem of his fellowcitizens.

(JEORtiE j\LVJOR. sou of Thomas aud Catherine (Green) IMajor. was born in Hamillon County, (Miio, Septemlier IS, 1819, and there received his earlier education. In is:;i, his parents removed to Clinton County, Ind., where (George assisted on the home farm until 18()4, when be moved to Jasper County, and tlienee. in 1878, to this county. lU' jiere owns 110 acres imder :\ liigli state of eullivation. Mr. Major being one of |]ie most successful agi iiulturisis in the county. From 1874 to 1882, he serveil as senator I'roni Wliite. I'.i'ntou. Jaspi'r and Newlon Counties, and lie luid also served three years as Commissicmer of Jasjier Countv. In 1883. he was appointed a memlier of the Board of Directors of the Noitluau Indiana State Prison, of which bimnl he is the lU'esidiMit. In 18,50, he married Julia A. Suoddy. a resident of Tippec.inoe County, lud.. and by her is the father of seven children. >Ir. and IMrs. Majin- are im inbers cd' tlie Presliyterian Churcli. aud stand high in the regard of Iboir

WIlddAM II, MA1!(,)LESS, son of James and Maruaretta i^Berry") Marquess. was born in Fountain CcunUy, Ind.. October li. 1841, and was reared a farmer. lu 1875. he came to this township. ]iurchased 273 acres, crecteil a tine house and farm buildings, anil became a successful farmer and larirely interested in stock-raising. In .\ugust, I8(;2. he cnlisU'd in the Eighty-sixth Indiana Volunteer lufautrv, but was (liscli,-irged on aeeoiint of ill health In'Jauuary, ISO:!. In August. 18ti5. lie inarrieil iMary, daiighlcr of Siniiui ;inil Xaticy (Reedl Brown, aud To this union have been born four boys and two girls. Mr. Marquess is a member of Remington Lodge, No. 351, A. F. & A. M., and of Benton Post, No. 2.5, G. A. R. In 1882, lie received the unanimous vote of his fellow-citizens for the office of Township Assessor.

G. G. PLUMMER, son of Philip and Maria (Waters) Plummer, was born in Knox County, Ohio, April 21, 1812. In 1863, he enlisted in the Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was in the Atlanta campaign, with Sherman on his march to the sea, and at the surrender of .Johnston in 186.5. On his return, he prepared himself for teaching, and in 1868 located in White County, Ind., where he taught until 1881. and then came to this county, where he is engaged in the same vocation. In 1868, he married Phebe A. T. Boulden, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (McClure) Boulden, and to this union have been born four children, of whom two are still living. Mr. Plummer is a member of the S. R. S. Wolcott Lodge. No. 2, and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

.JAMES S. SHIPMAN, son of James and Mary (Wine) Sliipman, was born in Fountain Count}', Ind., April 11, 1836. He first moved to Montgomery County, and six years later to Cass Count}'; in 1849 he went to Iowa and in 18.56 returned to Montgomery 'County; four years later he took up his residence in this township, where he owns forty acres of good land finely improved. He learned carpentering in his younger days and still occasionally worlds at the trade. In 1863, he married Miss M. E. Merrill, of Montgomery County, Ind., and of the children born to him there are four living and two deceased. He has served as Road Commissioner of Gilboa Township, and is a highly respected citizen.

SAMUEL STANPIELD. son of John and Catherine (Cox) Stanfield, was born in Tippecanoe County, Ind., in 1S31, and was engaged on the home farm until 1865, when he came to this township and purchased a farm of eighty acres. This farm is highly cultivated and devoted to general crops and to stock-raising. At the house, there is a well 201 feet deep, with a wind pump, that supplies an adundance of water for the stock and for general purposes. Mr. Stanfield served for one hundred days in the One hundred and Thirty fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. On his return, he was married, in 1870, to Mary H., daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Laughlin. Mr. Stanfield takes an active interest in politics and is a highly respected citizen.

Part Iv Bt J. H. Battle

"POURING the session of the Legislature of 1834-35, the question of -» - v' the disposition of unorganized area of the Northwest Territory came up, and after some discussion and investigation, an act was passed forming the counties of Jasper, Newton, Pulaski, Starke, Marshall, Fulton, Adams, Wells, Whitley, DeKalb, Noble, Kosciusko, Steuben and Jay, of which the following is in relation to Jasper and Newton :

Section 12. That all the territory within the following boundary shall constitute a county, to be known by the name of .Jasper ; Beginning at the southeast corner of Section 33, Township 24 north. Range 6 west, thence west to the line of the State of Illinois, thence north with the State line thirty miles, thence east with the line dividing Townships 28 and 29 north, to the northeast corner of Section 4, Township 28 north. Range 6 west, thence south with the section line thirty miles to the place of beginning.

Sec. 13. That all the territory within the following boundary shall constitute a county to be known by the name of Newton ; Beginning at the southeast corner of Township 29 north, Range 5 west, thence west to the State line, thence north with the State line thirty miles, thence east with the line dividing Townships 88 and 34 north, to the northeast corner of Township 33, Range 5 west, thence south with the range line thirty miles to the place of beginning.

By these boundaries, it will be observed that the original county of Jasper included the whole of Benton County, the present townships of Carpenter, Jordan, and so much of Marion and Newton Townships south of the line dividing Townships 28 and 29 north, together with the townships of Grant, Iroquois, Jefferson and Washington, in the present limits of Newton County. Newton County at that tim^e included all of the present counties of Jasper and Newton north of this line, the townships of West Creek, Cedar Creek and Eagle Creek, of Lake County, and Boone and Pleasant Townships of Porter County. In 1836, Porter County was organized, and the year following Lake County, each of which took all the territory north of the Kankakee River. In 1838, Jasper, had been attached to White County, was organized as an independent county, Newton County being attached, for some purposes, to Jasper, and for others, subject to White. In the following year, however, the Legislature passed " An act relative to the location of the county seat of Jasper, and for other purposes," as follows :

Section 1. Be it enacted hy the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, That George A. Spencer and .Jacob Moyers, of White, and Solomon Hatfield, of Fountain, and Samuel H. Garrison, of Warren, and William Simms, of Tippecanoe Counties be, and the same are, hereby appointed Commissioners, agreeably to an act entitled, "An act fixing the seat of justice in all new counties hereafter laid off." The Commissioners, aforesaid, shall meet at the house of Robert Alexander, of Jasper County, on the first Monday of June next, and immediately proceed to discharge the duties hereafter assigned them.

Sec. 2. And it shall be the duty of the Sheriff of Jasper County, either in person or writing, to inform said Commissioners of their appointment on or before the first Monday of Maj' next, and for such services shall be entitled to such compensation as the law requires.

Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the Commissioners, in addition to the duties assigned them by the act to which this has reference, to examine the counties of Jasper and Newton, with a view of their being consolidated, and if, after examination, the Commissioners are satisfied that the interests of the two counties would be promoted by the union of the same, they are hereby authorized to fix the seat of justice in said enlarged territorj^, taking into view the peculiar situation of said territory in regard to prairie, timber, water-privileges, and the known wishes of the citizens of different parts of Jasper County being attached to other counties ; and the seat of justice, if consolidated, shall be called Newton.

Sec. 4. If, after examination, the Commissioners shall be of opinion that either county would be injured by the consolidation, they shall proceed to fix the county seat as provided by law, in Jasper Count}'^ agreeably to its present bound aries.

Sec. 5. If, after examination, they shall be of opinion that the interests of the two counties would be promoted by the union of the same, from thenceforth the terri tory known by the name of Jasper and Ncwtou Counties shall be known as Jasper County. This act to be in force from and after its passage.

The Commissioners thus appointed found the plan of consolidating the two counties advisable, and accordingly located the coutitv seat at the falls of the Iroquois River, with the name of Newton, thus strikimr the county of that name from the map of the State. In TS40, the county of Benton was formed, taking its territory from Jasper, the latter receiving by way, of compensation thirty sections adjoining the southeast angle, and now principally contained in Milroy Township. In 1859, however, Newton County was revived, though shorn of much of its early dimensions, leaving Jasper in its present shape.

Oriiiin of Name. - The names of most of the counties of the State are suggestive of tlie Ilevolution. The period when most of them were designated was so near to those heroic times, that no memorial to the virtues of its heroes seemed so appropriate as the political divisions which owed their existence to their achievements. The name of Jasper is a tribute to that heroic devotion which Americans are glad to lienor in the subordinate as well aa in the chieftain. Among the garrison of Fort Moultrie, in Charleston, S. C, Harbor on the 28th of June, 1776, was a Sergeant by the name of Jasper. It was on this day that the British fleet, which had occupied the harbor, opened the attack upon the fort with such a heavy and well-directed fire as to cause the observing patriots on the shore to tremble for the outcome of the conflict. Once during the day, as the smoke from a terrific cannonading cleared away, the flag of the fort was nowhere to be seen. The shot of the fleet had carried it away, and the anxious spectators, with sinking hearts, feared the fort had struck its flag to the foe. But the ensign had not fallen willingly nor unnoticed. In face of the storm of shot and shell that fell upon the garrison, Sergt. Jasper rescued the flag, and in a perfect hailstorm of bullets, nailed it to the broken staff'. At night the fleet quietly left the harbor, with the fort unsubdued. Jasper was made the hero of the occasion, the delighted citizens of Charleston uniting to do him honor. The ladies presented him with a beautiful flag, which he pledged himself to defend with his life, and true to his word he was found later in the war dead upon the field of battle, clinging to his and his country's flag. Such is the hero which this county honors.

Jasper County is just north of the hydrographic basin of the Wabash. The southwestern half is a gently rolling prairie of black loamy soil. In the northern and northeastern portions, the soil is sandy, with oak openings and slashy prairies interspersed with sandy knolls and ridges, and is in a wild state of nature, scarcely disturbed by the hand of man. The whole country is underlaid by beds of bowlder drift, which varies in depth from twenty feet in the valley of the Iroquois Rive-r to nearly two hundred feet at some of the higher ridges.

The rocky exposures of this county are wholly of the Devonian and Silurian ages. Considerable fragments of black slate and small bits of coal are met with in digging wells in the bowlder clays, which indicate that the subcarboniferous sandstone, and possibly the outline of the carboniferous age, at one time, extended beyond this county to the north, but were eroded during the great ice flow from the northwest. The following connected section made from observations of isolated localties will serve to give a general idea of the rocks of this county :

Soil and loam, 2 to 5 feet ; bowlder drift, 20 to 200 feet ; " Waverly " or Knob sandstone, 15 feet; Louisville-Delphi black slate, 62 feet; coarse, white sand rock (local), 0 to 15 feet; Devonian limestone, 2 to 5 feet; Silurian limestone (exposed), 8 feet; Silurian limestone, porous, with cavities filled with petroleum and gas (inbore), 855; total, 1,162.

The highest rocks in the geological series occur near the southern boundary of the county, a short distance north of Remington. They are an argillaceous sandstone, having an exposure of about twelve feet in Jordan's Grove, on Carpenter's Creek. It is the lower division of the Waverly or Kent sandstone, sometimes considered a member of the Devonian ; it is better known as the sub-conglomerate sandstone. In former years, this stone was quarried for local use in foundations, but is not now in work. At the only exposure, it was irregularly bedded, and from the fragments visible would not compare favorably with other stone in the the county. A short distance further north, on Carpenter's Creek, the Louisville-Delphi black slate is seen in the bluif underlying the abovementioned sandstone. The exposure measures twenty-three feet, is slightly glazed with bituminous matter, and the odor of petroleum is perceptible. During the oil excitement a bore was here put down, and the slate was found to extend forty feet below the surface, making the total thickness sixty-three feet. It is probable that the erosive force of the bowlder drift had thinned this bed not less than thirty feet. About four miles west, at Allen's quarry, on a branch of Carpenter's Creek, a thin bed of limestone has been extensively worked for building purposes. Several dwelling houses and barns of this material give a pleasing variety to the architecture. The stone seems to weather well.

At Rensselaer, the Iroquois River flows over a bed of limestone. A few corals and other fragmentary fossils show that it belongs to the Upper Silurian age. This limestone is here cherty, and neither fit for burning into lime nor for building purposes. A short distance below the town it is purer, and has been burned to lime to supply the local market. Above the town, near the old mill dam, thin beds of limestone of the Devonian age are seen in the low banks of the river. This bed is the onlv rocky exposure seen on the Iroquois in Jasper County. It is an original ridge of deposit, having a line of strike from north-northeast to south- southeast, and from surface indications veering to the northeast a few miles north from Rensselaer. A new exposure in the western part of the town still records the mighty effects of the great ice flow which resulted in the bowlder drift. The surface is rutted and polished, while the scratches show that the direction of the current was a little west of south. Three miles southeast of the town is the Phillip's sand rock quarry. It is a coarse grit, containing a few pebbles, and is very similar to the conglomerate sand rock. It has been used for building and other purposes at Rensselaer with good results. Being in a considerable degree fire as well as weather proof, it is an important part of the material resources of the county.

on Section 16, Township 29 north, Range 6 west, a few miles north of the town, and another bed of about two acres was seen on the opposite side of the creek. These, together with the abundant limestones about the county seat, aiford ample facilities for the construction of gravel roads.

Economical Geology

Bog ores of iron are abundant in the northern part of the county. The area of deposit, after careful examination, is estimated as follows: Township 30 north. Range 7, 700 acres; Township 30 north, Range 6, 500 acres; Township 30 north, Range 5, 500 acres; Township 31 north, Range 6, 1,500 acres; Township 31 north. Range 7, 500 acres; Township 32 north. Range 5, 1,000 acres ; Township 32 north. Range 6, 500 acres; Township 32 north. Range 7, 500 acres.

Many other beds of smaller area are known to exist. These ores are collected in a soluble state by the waters of sloughs and ponds, in the center or lower pai-t of which they are found in comparatively pure layers, deposited as the waters are evaporated in dry seasons. The beds are generally from one to two and a half feet below the surface of the ground, and from five to six inches thick, though it is reported, in some places, to be two to two and a half feet thick. In 1870, 1,600 tons of this ore, taken partly from Jasper and partly from Starke County, were shipped from San Pierre Station, on the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago Railroad. The ore was taken to the Planet Furnace in Clay County, but the high rate of freight imposed by the railroad caused the business to be abandoned. The ore is pure, and makes, by admixture with the rich ores of Lake Superior, a very desirable quality of metal ; and with practicable freights large quantities of the ore would be in demand.

A number of mineral springs are found near Rensselaer, the waters of which experience has determined to be highly medicinal. Among them are some white sulphur springs, which, in a malarious climate are worthy of attention. Half a mile east of the county seat, a well that was bored to the depth of 800 feet discharges a large volume of sulphureted water. This well is supplied from a crevice about 180 feet below the surface. Another well in the corner of the court house yard, that was bored with a "diamond drill," furnishes a supply of water near the surface.

It has long been known that Jasper County affords abundant evidences of the presence of petroleum. In the geological map of Indiana, published by Dr. Brown, former State Geologist, this county was included in a small area marked "the oil region." At low water, oil oozes from crevices and partings in the limestone rocks at Rensselaer ; and from a well sunk to the depth of fifteen feet in this rock, several gallons of oil were obtained, and large lumps of bitumen (desiccated petroleum) were found in the excavations made for the railroad track a few miles east of town, some of which were hardened into asphaltum. These evidences of its presence induced search for the oil, and several bores were put down. The bores at the county seat determined the existence of a bed of porous lime rock from eighteen to thirty feet thick, just below the thin bedded limestone which underlies the black slate. None of these wells yielded any appreciable quantity of oil, and it is not probable that a paying quantity will be obtained, as the fluid is so diffused in the small pores of the rock as to render its collection very difficult. Small quantities of inflammable gas escape from each of these bores, and also from many natural fissures.

Material Resources

The divide which separates the Kankakee and Iroquois Rivers, is a succession of low ridges of pure yellow or white sand, interspersed with swampy valleys from one hundred to four hundred yards in width, indicating ancient river channels. These numerous river beds show the extent of the region traversed by the Kankakee and Iroquois rivers before finding a fixed channel, when "old Lake Kankakee" was first drained off. The soil in these valleys is peaty, and of no very great depth, and is underlaid by a deposit of white sand. A narrow strip of deep, rich, alluvial soil, from one to two miles in width, along the southern margin of the Kankakee, is well timbered and highly productive. Groves and skirts of timber are found along the water-courses, which have been found sufficient to supply the demand for all purposes. This timber consists principally of white oak and hickory, and on fair soil, burr oak.

Changes In Topography

Cultivation has wrought marked changes in this country during the fifty years which the white man has possessed the land. What appeared to the early settlers a dead level expanse of prairie and swamp, is now a pleasant rolling area of thrifty farms. This transformation has been brought about not by physical changes, but by the natural effects of the farmer's occupation. The open land was originally covered with a rank growth of prairie grass ; on the high lands the grass did not reach its normal height, while on the lower lands its growth was of astonishini^ proportions, frequently reaching a height which would hide a man on horseback, and thus would tend to create the illusion of a perfectly level plain. In the timber lands the change has been still more marked. The dense t'ol-c^^ts of young growth, underbrush aad saplings, did not exist fifty years ago. Then the timber, save along the rivers, was marked onlv by scattered oaks and hickories, which favoring localities preserved from the annual fires that swept the prairies. These were started by accident from the fires of hunters, or by the Indians, for the purpose of keeping the timber in check, and clearing the country of the rank grass stubble. These fires that kept the beautiful panorama of prairie unobstructed, were the most to be dreaded of all the early contingencies with which settlers had to deal. Those only who have been awakened at the dead hour of the night by the lurid light of the approaching flames can appreciate the horror connected with such an event. The feeling of utter helplessness, in face of the unequal combat ; the wall of fire, from ten to fifty feet in height, advancing with the speed of a race-horse ; the winged denizens of the prairie flying afirighted and screaming before its approach ; the maddened rush of the deer, wolves and other animals, forgetting all other fear in the presence of this overshadowing calamity ; the terrible grandeur of its irresistible advance ; the suflbcation and heat of its presence ; the charred and blackened waste which marked its fateful course ; the bewilderment of the isolated family grouped on the only bare spot that off"ered safety ; all this cannot be imagined, it must be felt to be appreciated. The excitement of its approach, passage and retreat, followed by the contemplation of the smoking ruins of a house and improvements which cost months of toil, or of a crop that was the only hope of sustenance during the approaching winter, burns upon the brain of an interested spectator, a sight never to be forgotten, and one the farmer took pains never to see repeated.

Praieie Fires

From the time the grass would burn, which was soon after the first frost, usually about the 1st of October, till the surrounding prairie was all burnt over, or, if not all burnt, till the green grass in the spring had grown sufiicient to prevent the rapid progress .of the fire, the early settlers were continually on the watch, and as they usually expressed the idea, "slept with one eye open." When the ground was covered with snow, or during rainy weather, the apprehension was quieted, and both eyes could be safely closed. A statute law forbade setting the prairie on fire, and one doing so was subject to penalty, and liable to an action of trespass, for the damage accruing ; but convictions were seldom efi'ected, as proof was difiicult to obtain, though there were frequent fires. Those started on the leeward side of an improvement, while dangerous to property to the leeivard, were not so to property to the windward, as fire progressing against the wind is easily extinguished, and the temptation to start one of these fires for some trivial purpose was often quite irresistible.

to plow several furrows around a strip, several rods wide, outside the improvements, and then burn out the inside of this strip, or to wait until the prairie was on fire and then set fire outside of this furrowing, reserving the inner strip for a late burn, i. e., until the following summer, and in July burn both old grass and new. The grass would start afresh immediately, and the cattle would feed it close in preference to the older grass, so that the fire would not pass over it in the following autumn. This process repeated would soon, or in a few years, run out the prairie grass, which in time would be replaced by blue-grass, which will not burn to any serious extent. But all this took time and labor, and the crowd of business on the hands of a new settler, of which a novice has no conception, would prevent him doing what would now seem a small matter ; and even when accomplished, all such precautions often proved futile. A prairie fire driven by a high wind would often leap such barriers and seem to put human effort at defiance.

A prairie fire when first started, goes straight forward with a velocity proportioned to the force of the wind, widening as it goes, but the center keeping ahead ; it spreads sideways, but burning laterally, it makes but comparatively slow progress, and if the wind is moderate and steady, this spreading fire is not difiicult to manage ; but if the wind veers a point or two, first one way and then the other, it sends this side fire beyond control. The head fire in dry grass and a head wind is a fearful thing, and pretty sure to have its own way unless there is some defensible point to meet it. A contest with such a fire requires such skill and tact as can be learned only by experience, and a neighborhood of settlers called out by such an exigency at once put themselves under the direction of the oldest and most experienced of their number, and go to work with the alacrity and energy of men defending their homes and property from destruction.

The usual way of meeting advancing fires was to begin the defense where the head of the fire would strike, which was calculated by the smoke and ashes brought by the wind along in advance of fire. A road, cattle-path, or furrow is of great value at such a place ; if there was no such, a strip of the grass was wetted down if water could be procured, which was, however, a rather scarce article at the time of the annual fire. On the side, nearest the coming fire, of such a road or path, the i^rass is set on fire, which burns slowly against the wind until it meets the coming conflagration, which latter stops, of course, for want of fuel, provided there has been sufficient time to burn over a strip that cannot be leaped by the head fire as it comes in. This is called " back-firing ; " but in this .method, great care must be exercised to prevent the fire gettin>^' over the furrow or path, or whatever is used as the base of operations. If it .'ets in the rear of this and once under way, there is no remedy but to fall back to a more defensible position. The head of the fire successfully checked, the force of fire-fighters divide, part going to the right and part to the left, and the back-firing continues to meet the side fires as they come up. This must be continues until the fire is checked along the entire front of the premises endangered, and the sides secured.

The premises about the residence and yards being trampled down by the family and domestic animals, after a year or two became tolerably safe from fire, but the fences, corn and stubble fields were often attacked. When the open land was all fenced and under cultivation, so that these fires were a thing of the past, the residents of prairie were happily released from the constant apprehension which for years had disturbed their peace by night and caused anxiety by day, though the early settlers still retain vivid recollections of the grand illuminations nightly exhibited in dry weather, from early fall to late spring, by numberless prairie fires. The whole horizon would be lighted up around its entire circuit. A heavy fire six or seven miles away would afford sufficient light in a dark night to enable one to read fine print. When a fire had passed through the prairie, leaving the long lines of side fires like two armies facing each other, the sight at night was sublime ; and if one's premises were securely protected, and he could enjoy the exhibition without apprehension, it was a sight well worth going far to see.

Jasper County is still too new, its soil too little exhausted, to encourage or feel the necessity of a regular system of agriculture. Though con- sisting of what may be called a prairie country, it is supplied with suiEcient timber for fuel and other purposes, and while much of this is small or of " scrubby" character, it has increased in quantity since the prairie fires have ceased to run, and is rapidly growing into timber valuable for manufacturing purposes. Wood is still the principal fuel used in the county, and as the natural advantages for manufactures are not large, it is likely to be used as fuel for years to come.

The chief products are corn, oats, barley, wheat, and the usual varieties of vegetables found in this range of climate. Wheat was in early years sown upon the first plowing of the sod, and bore good crops, but of late years this practice has not been found successful. Wheat is not found so well adapted to the soil as to form a staple crop in recent years, and while it is still sown to a considerable extend it is not the crop upon which the farmers place most dependence. Corn and oats are the principal crops upon which reliance is had as a source of revenue, and much of this is sold for exportation, though a large quantity of either is fed to stock with profit. No attempts have yet been made to enrich the soil with commercial fertilizers, nor is the ordinary accumulations of the barn yard applied with scrupulous care. Some parts of the sand lands of the county are found to grow clover successfully, and some are turning this under to crive strength to naturally weak soil, but all these efforts can hardly be said to be expended in a systematic way by the farmers in general. There are evidences, however, that the attention of farmers is being aroused to this matter, and that a few years will show a marked improvement in this direction. Chinese sugar-cane or Sorghum has been extensively experimented with, and some tobacco grown, but they cannot be classeil amonothe permanent products of the county.

All classes of stock are found here, but horses and cattle predominate, as the wide ranges of prairie-grazing are best adapted to raise them with profit. A writer in the Rensselaer Grazette of 1S5S and 1851:1 discusser the subject as follows : " As a grazing county, we scarcely have an equal, and cannot be easily surpassed. Grass grows here in rich abundance, and truly, cattle are made to ' lie down in green pastures.' This fact is well known to many cattle raisers, who are in the habit of bringini-r their cattle two or three days' drive every spring, that they may luxuriate on our rich pasture, and drink of our cooling streams. Some of the finest cattle that go from grass to market go from this county.

Live Stock

" Beef cattle hnve commanded the attention and capital of farmers to a greater extent than any other stock in this branch of rural labor. Horses swine, sheep and asses have eacli occupied more or less time, but more capital has been devoted to cattle than to either of the others.

"Dairies, except with a very few farmers, have been a seconilary object. Butter-making has not been made a serious branch of business. No attention has been paid to it, except by families for private use, or to supply the limited trade with the villages of the county, and even this has been very inconsiderable, because almost every villager keeps a cow during the summer season.

" There has not yet been any general system of cattle-raising adopted from deliberate or scientific trial, by farmers of this county. Each individual has acted upon the scheme suggested by his own judgment or fancy, or such as the state of improvement or the natural features of his own particular location has afforded, or his own particular case has dictated.

" Numerous breeds of cattle have been raised in this county. Herds have been purchased abroad and raised and fatted here. But little or no attention has been given to the fineness or firmness of the texture of the beef, the color of the flesh, or the odor or flavor of the meat, or the peculiar frame of the animal, but that breed would undoubtedly receive the preference which will attain the greatest weight of carcass in the shortest time, and with the least labor, and, what is of not less importance, thev should be of a hardy variety, able to stand the greatest degree of cold and extreme exposure in winter on inferior food, without shelter.

"In selling, the practice has been to sell for so much per hundred pounds, live weight. Drovers have offered so much per hundred and raisers have accepted the bid, and driven their cattle from the grass on to the scales, or themselves taken them to market where the same or similar result was achieved.

" A few only have packed the beef of their own raising or even of their own fattening, and where any have had it packed on their own account, it has generally been done at some larger towns out of the county, at La Fayette, Chicago, or some other city, the butcher furnishing barrels, salt, cutting the meat, and packing it, for the hide, head, shanks and tallow as payment. In this case the drover must, of course, await the action of the market before be can realize. In some instances, advances are made by the consignees, but whatever have been the final arrangements of drovers and packers, cattle have always commanded cash in hand to the growers and fatteners, though there has been but little competition among buyers, drovers generally giving their own prices.

" The general practice in raising cattle has been either to keep breeding cows, and let the calves run with them on the open prairie in summer, throwing the herd a handful of salt once or twice a week, and taking care, either by an employed herdsman or by occasional supervision, that they do not wander too far from the proper range. This is

" A very few, if any, calves are ever slaughtered in Jasper County for their veal. Those who do not wish to winter their calves find a market among their neighbors in the fall, at from $i to $6 per head. After the grass of the prairies has been killed down by the frosts of autumn, the calves are generally separated from the larger cattle, and kept up in an inclosure, in some part of which is an open shed, built of logs or 1 ails, and covered with a pile of straw or coating of prairie hay, and there fed on prairie hay, with a small daily allowance of ears of Indian corn or meal. Some keep them on corn fodder, which has been cut and shocked up in the fall, or turn them into stock-fields ; that is, fields where the ears of corn have been gathered, and the stalks left standing, or more recently, since tame grasses have been cultivated, feed them on timothy, blue-grass or clover, during a portion of the winter.

" In some cases, calves are exposed throughout the winter to all changes of weather, with no other shelter besides what is aiforded by a clump of brush or glade of timber. It is not surprising that with such neglect, many calves perish and die before the end of the first winter. Others that survive get on the 'lift,' or have the 'hollow-horn,' or 'wolf,' or some other disease, the result of starvation and exposure. Very few if any calves in this county are ever kept in a thriving condition, much less in a fat condition, during the first winter they are kept. But as soon as spring opens they are again turned out upon the prairies. Here, in a few weeks, the whole appearance is changed. The old hair falls off, and is replaced by a new and smooth coat. In a short time they become fat, and before the ensuing fall they usually attain the size of two-yearold stock that is raised on timbered lands. In this condition thev are brought to another winter, in which they fare no better than durino- the first. They are now kept without shelter, many of them without o-rain, and fed on bay, which costs about $1.50 per ton in the stack. It is seldom that any of them die during the second winter, althouo-h it would appear strange to a New England fanner that any of them should live through. Heifers with calf at this age - and most of them come in at two years old - need some grain to do well, especially when they come in early, but steers and other stock, if they have only enouofh coarse feed got through without difficulty. Early in the succeeding summer and fall the two-year-olds are ready for market.

" The average value of such cattle, during the last four or five years has been from $15 to $17 a head in the spring, and from $2.75 to $3 per cwt., live weight, in the summer and tall. Nothwithstandin^^ the loss of some calves and some older cattle, the last two hard winters, stock-

From the same writer we take the following on the subject of horses : " With horses, as with everything else, the middling good, tolerably cheap, every-day-article, is of more general usefulness than any others. If they are very inferior, whether vicious, unsafe, balky or tender, their services will not pay for their keeping. If a horse is exoensive or highpriced, few can afford to invest their capital in him. A large majority of people have all they can do to live comfortably from year to year. We cannot afford to try experiments, or risk our means in uncertain enterprises. We know that the dearest horses are not the most useful to us ; that, incur circumstances, fancy horses and fast horses are not what we most need. We have three purposes for which we want horses, i. e., for draught, for travel and for sale.

" First. We want horses to assist in plowing our lands and raising produce; to take our grain to mill and market; to haul our wood, and to take our families to worship on Sunday. This is our common business. For this we do not need fast horses, but compact, well-built horses that possess the powers of endurance ; horses that will keep in good working condition in winter on hay and a moderate share of grain, with indifferent shelter.

''Second. We need horses for herding on the open prairies. Here we need an occasional test of speed, although not great nor long continued, for it does not demand a horse of extra dispatch or bottom to outrun a cow or ox.

" Third, for sale. Several farmers have entered pretty extensively into this branch of grazing, and some have made money at the business. There has been a steady home market for common draught horses at good prices, and a foreign market at great prices for horses of extra quality.

" Our colts are mostly bred from mai-es that are occasionally worked throughout the year, and pastured on the prairie in the summer. On the approach of winter, the colts are weaned, fed some grain with straw or hay, and sheltered during the hardest weather, and have no other care. They usually look pretty thin and squalid toward spring. They are generally ' broken ' in the second or third year, and by the fourth year are put to hard service. Good geldings then bring from $100 to $125. A few horses of extra quality have sold for fancy prices. The care bestowed on colts is but little more than that devoted rearing calves, and at four years of age the ox may be worth $40, while a colt at the same age rates at $100. Why has not more capital been invested in this business? Not over one-half, probably not over one-third, annually, of

" One reason is directed against the business itself, i. e., that the business opens the door to dissipation, and while it pays well, it is subject to many excitements and tempts to great risks.

"Another reason is, men who have made a moderate income by raising a few common colts annually, have been too often led to try the fancy breeds, by which they have changed the character of their associates, fallen under the influence of blacklegs and sharpers, run into idleness, betting, racing and gambling, and in the end lost both their character and property. Men judge that a business liable to such results IS not safe, and shun it.

" Another reason is, there is personal danger in it. Many careful men neither wish to break colts nor have they sons to do it. They theref)re raise only just what is needed for their own service; and as' a span of horses will last for from seven to nine years, after they have come to a working age, their wants do not require continued attention to the business, and they decline it.

" There is another objection that influences some. Horses, like other stock, are liable to die, and careful farmers do not care to risk so much value in a single animal. It is necessary to keep them in good condition throughout the year, to insure their profitable sale when the market favors their disposal, and this involves a considerable expense generally overlooked in making a computation of the expenses of the business.

"But the principal objection to breeding blooded stock of this description is that the business requires more capital than the ordinary farmer is able to invest until the profits can be realized. To be successful, the breeder needs good stalls, tame pastures, good fences and plenty of help to give the stock all necessary, care. With all these accessories, the event is at best uncertain. Not one colt in a hundred will brine an extraordinary price. Horses noted for beauty, force or speed, have not always reproduced their like, and even wlien they do the owner of the colt, unless prepared to expend a costly school of training upon it, is likely to discover the fact only after it has passed from his possession.

" We have in Jasper County the names of all the noted horses in the land, and the names of all the breeds : but we have neither the stock nor the means at present of producing it, and while we frequently find valuable horses, both under the saddle and harnessed to the plow, we have nevei' yet seen here a first-cla.ss horse."

This review of the stock of the county is substantially correct for the present d:i,te. More recent years have wrought some changes affecting general grazing interests ; the public hinds have been alKsorbed by purchasers, and some facilities have been added that were not practical a score of years ago. There is more interest manifested of late in improved stock of all kinds, a few persons paying particular attention to swine and poultry, as well as cattle and horses. This is probably due to a sort of mania, that has become almost epidemic, rather than to any natural demand in circumstances or advantages of the county.

The admirable reports of Horace E. James, the Secretary of the Agricultural Society at Rensselaer, give a concise and accurate survey of the present state of agriculture in the county. In his report of 1879, he says: "Last winter was favorable to the growth of fall-sown wheat; the spring helped its development ; insects did not ravage it, nor summer storms do it damage, and at harvest time a good, well-matured crop was found, which was saved in fine condition. Generally, however, wheat has not been a reliable crop in this locality. The soil does not seem to be favorable to its growth. But possibly the topography of the county is really the greatest obstacle to overcome. A large part of the country is prairie, nearly level, with great capacity for supporting water. What little snow falls, does not rest quietly where it settles, but is blown about by the winds, which have almost unbroken sweep. This leaves the wheat plants at the mercy of the thawing, freezing and heaving-out process of February and March. Systematic draining, by means of open ditches and of tile, and liberal coatings of coarse manure, applied before the middle of February, may solve the problem of successful wheat culture upon light and loamy soils and flat surfaces, such as are to be seen with us. At least those farmers who have experimented in this direction are greatly encouraged by the results' that have invariably followed such treatment The wheat crop of Jasper County in 1879 is estimated at double that of any former year, being more than enough to supply the home demand.

'- Small fruits, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, are not extensively cultivated, although both soil and climate are favorable; grapes do well with us, the commoner kinds being hardy and yielding sure crops of good fruit. Producers are only beginning to cultivate them as they merit. Vines bore abundantly this year.

" Some varieties of pear may be grown with moderate returns only. Peaches and quinces winter-kill badly. Plums suffer too much from the ravages of the curculio ever to be popular. Apples do well usually. The exhibition of this fruit at our fair this season was remarkably fine. The perfection of specimens equaled any that were shown at the State Fair.

" Quite an interest has developed in Jasper County within a year or two in the breeding of poultry. An association had been organized, and several gentlemen lay claim to the title of amateur fowl-fanciers.

ably more attention has been paid to the improvement of these classes of live stock than to any of the other branches of husbandry. The great desire has been to produce beef to the neglect of milkers, hence shorthorn breeders have been favorites with cattle-raisers. Recently a few Jerseys have been introduced, but thus far have not been looked upon with that degree of favor which is calculated to increase the enthusiasm of those who have invested their money in them for the purpose of breeding.