Porter Township

Porter Township

THOMAS S. BOWKER, the fourth child of Michael and Hester (Richardson) Bowker, was born in New Jersey January 12, 1820. When about two years of age, his parents moved to Warren County, Ohio, where he attended school and worked on the farm until 1836, when the family moved to St. Joseph County, Ind., and bought and cleared up a farm. In 1845, Mr. Bowker came to this county, and went to farming on rented land. December 26, 1847, he married Miss Mary Smith, daughter of John H. and Maria Smith, who came to this county in 1838, from Richland County, Ohio. Mrs. Bowker bore her husband one child, Sarah L., born February 7, 1849, and now the wife of William L. Sawyer. In 1853, Mr. Bowker purchased forty acres of unimproved land, and some years later added eighty acres more ; he died April 7, 1880, of cancer of the eye, from which he suffered greatly for seventeen vears ; he willed his farm to his wife, who has it rented out. She resides with her son-in-law, William L., son of James S. and Polly E. (Ellsworth) Sawyer, and born in this township July 17, 1842. Mr. Sawyer bought his land in 1866, with money saved from his earnings as a farm hand, and he has now a fine farm, with a good two-story frame dwelling and every convenience and appliance of comfort about him ; he is a member of the Christian Church, and in politics is a Republican.

SAMUEL CAMPBELL was born in Jefferson County, Tenn., November 14, 1797, the eldest of eleven children of John and Sarah (Vance) Campbell, natives respectively of Virginia and Pennsylvania. Mr. Campbell attended school at intervals until fourteen years old, and then assisted on the home farm till about twenty-eight; the family then moved to Preble County, Ohio, and settled on a piece of land John Campbell had entered in 1816. September 25, 1823, Samuel Campbell married Elizabeth Frame, a daughter of William and Margarette Frame, and to this union were born eight children, viz.: Margarette J., now Mrs. Silas Grigg ; Amanda M. (Mrs. Lacount Lambert), now deceased; Newton J., William F., John F. ; Sarah E., now Mrs. James H. Kenworthy, and Nancy T., now Mrs. David B. Peck. The son William served in the late war, and is now a resident of Nebraska. John Campbell died in 1831, when Samuel brought his family to this township, entered forty acres of land, and commenced life in a wilderness filled with wild but friendly Indians. Here he was made the township's first Supervisor, and has since been frequently elected to offices of trust and honor. In 1862, his house was destroyed by fire, and nearly all it contained was lost, but he soon put up a comfortable frame in which he and wife are passing their declining days in retirement, attended by their daughter, Mrs. Kenworthy. Mr. Campbell is a sj;anch Republican, and stands well with his party.

LEVI A. CASS, M. D., son of Levi A. and Lucy (Sanford) Cass, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, July 9, 1819 ; his father was born in Massachusetts, in 1799, and his mother in Vermont, in 1802 ; his father was a physician, and in 1817 moved to Wayne County, Ohio. Our subject entered Oberlin College when fourteen years of age, after which course he read medicine with his father. In 1840, he came to this county and engaged in practice; he afterward went to La Porte County and read with Prof. Meaker. In 1846, after his graduation, he returned hither and resumed practice, which he succeeded in establishing after ten years of hard labor. On December 28, 1856, he was married to Louisa S. Porter, daughter of Philo A. Porter, a pioneer of this county. To this union there were born four children - Ida Grace (now married to Rev. L. S. Buckles), Albertha B., Cassa and Irena B. In 1858, Mr. Cass purchased eighty acres in this township, built a log house and began farming and stock-raising, but he never relinquished practice. In 1863, he 'was elected to the Legislature, and was appointed by Gov. 0. P. Morton to collect the official vote of this Congressional district at the time of Lincoln's election; he was twice appointed Army Surgeon, but declined on account of legislative duties ; he was also one of the organizers of the First National Bank at Valparaiso, and for a time its President. On March 1, 1879, he lost his wife ; she was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a model Christian ; he is now engaged in the practice of his profession, and his three youngest daughters grace his home ; he is an attendant of the M. E. Church, and a stanch Republican.

WILLIAM H. CLITES, son of Andrew G. and Eliza E. (King) elites, was born in Bedford County, Penn., in 1844. In 1851, his father came to this county, entered forty acres and bought forty acres more of land, and here William H. lived until fourteen years of age, when he went to work on his own account until 1862. In August of this year, he enlisted in Company I, Fifth Indiana Cavalry, organized at Indianapolis, and was with Burnside's command in the Army of Ohio; was under Gen. Judah in the noted John Morgan raid ; was at Knoxville for some time, then at Mount Sterling, Ky., and with Sherman on his march to the sea ; on his return, was sent as guard with prisoners to Chicago ; again, on the same errand, to Columbus, Ohio ; was then returned to the front at Pulaski, Tenn., and was finally mustered out at Indianapolis. In 1865, he returned home and married Dell CliflFord, daughter of Clark and Lucinda CliflFord, and to this marriage have been born ten children - Cora, Ida, Ella, Nora, Spencer. Lilly (deceased), Arthur (deceased), John, Hilda (deceased) and Charley. In 1862, he purchased nineteen acres of land, and to this he added seventy-nine in 1864 ; his mother-inlaw, Mrs. Lucinda CliflFord, is residing with him. She was born at Crab Orchard, Va., in 1812, moved with her parents to Gallatin, Ky., thence to Shelby ville, Ind., thence to La Porte County, and then to Lake, near Hebron, where she was married, and where her husband died. §he is now in good health and seventy years of age.

IRA CORNELL was born in Wayne County, Ohio, December 23, 1823 ; his father, Isaac, was born in Pennsylvania April 17, 1792, and his mother, Priscilla (Morgan), in Virginia May 31, 1799. They were married April 9, 1818. In the spring of 1835, the family came to Boone Township, this county, and settled on a 400 acre tract of land. They were the first white people to locate in the township ; the land was not put on the market until 1838, when the father bought it from the Government at $1.25 per acre. From this farm he shipped some of the first wheat ever sent from the township. Here Ira Cornell entered forty acres, which, in due course of time, he saved money enough to buy, and soon succeeded in buying 160 additional. October 30, 1850, he married, in Wayne County, Ohio, Miss Emily Kaufman, who was born in Lancaster County, Penn., May 22, 1825. They have had born to them six children - Alice, September 3, 1851 ; Blmina, December 20, 1853 ; Isaac, October 23, 1854 ; Effie, August 11, 1857 ; Rose K., May 28, 1863, and Fannie L., November 18, 1867. Mrs. Priscilla Cornell died November 25. 1859, and Isaac Cornell January 22, 1874. Alice Cornell was married to John McConkey, and Elmina to Leander . Jones. Effie has been teaching school since 1874. Ira Cornell has now a fine farm of 315 acres on Section 23, with a new two-story frame dwelling. His present corn crop, of ten weeks' growth, stands at twelve feet six inches ; he has some very fine live stock, his Norman horse being the finest in the county, with a mane forty-five inches in length ; he has taken numerous premiums at the county fair for this animal and for many others. Mr. Cornell is a member of the Christian Church, is a liberal Democrat in hi« political views, and loyal to the Government, having aided it by all means in his power during the recent rebellion.

MERRITT CORNELL was born in Boone Township, this county. August 18, 1850, and is the son of Alvin and Lydia (Lightfoot) Cornell, who were born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1820 and 1822 respectively, and were there married January 29, 1843, and shortly after came to this county. Merritt Cornell, on attaining school age, attended regularhuntil sixteen, and after that worked on the home farm in summer, and attended school in winter for several terms. December 25, 1873, he married Miss Serena E»., daughter of A. R. and Sophia House. To this union there have been born two girls - Miriam, March 1, 1875, and Stella Pearl, February 22, 1 877, In 1873, he located on his present farm of 160 acres, in this township ; his place is in first-class condition, and improved with a good two-story frame house of eight rooms, all in good order ; his mother here makes her home with him. They are all members of the Christian Church, and in politics Mr. Cornell is a Democrat. The new Chicago & Atlantic Railroad passes through his farm, greatly enhancing its value.

EZRA ALBERT DUNN was born in Rhode Island in 1808 ; hi* parents died when he was very young, and he worked for several farmers, who gave him some schooling. When twenty-thr^e years old, having saved some money, he was married, August 22, 1831, to Lydia A.. Ball, by whom he had seven children - Infant (deceased), Lyman C, Daniel R., Mary A., Samuel P. (deceased), Electa Ella and Ezra A. In 1833, he moved to Athens County, Ohio, where he purchased eightyfour acres. A few years later, he was seriously injured while launchinga canal-boat, and was compelled to sell his farm to maintain his family. In 1844, he came to this township, and, after a four-years' struggle, became able to buy forty acres, where he built a log house, and lived in it until 1859, when he built a good frame one. He died the death of peace August 24, 1879, much esteemed and lamented; his widow lives on the homestead with her son E. A. Dunn and his family ; her son Charles was a soldier in the Seventh Indiana Cavalry, and was killed while asleep January 23, 1864, by the accidental discharge of a gun ; he was buried where he lay, but has a monument here.

WILLIAM DYE, son of James and Amy (Jones) Dye, was born in Clinton Township, Wayne County, Ohio, in 1825, and came to this county in 1839. His boyhood days were passed in Boone Township, where he attended the district school ; he assisted also on the home farm, on Section No. 4. In the year 1864, he married Catherine Lynch, and these are now the parents of three boys and three girls, born and named in the order following : Homer, Walter M., Albert R., Elnora M., Ida D. and Gatha L. At the age of thirty-nine, Mr. Dye removed from Boone Township to Porter Township, and located on his .present farm on Section No. 28, which he has under a state of high cultivation, and has improved with all modern conveniences. In politics, Mr. Dye is a Democrat, and takes quite an interest in the welfare of his party ; he stands well with his neighbors, and is regarded as an enterprising farmer and useful citizen.

JOHN J. DYE, son of William and Nancy (Jones) Dye, was born in Porter County in 1840, his parents having come hither from Wayne County in 1836. John J. Dye, when quite young, commenced to work on his father's farm, and soon saved, by hard labor and close living, sufficient to purchase a place for himself, which he did in 1869, and, the same year, he was married to Melvina S. Ritter, by whom he had four children - Minnie C, John P., Harry C. and Gracie S. Mr. Dye took great interest in stock, which he raised for market. Unfortunately, his lungs, which were never strong, began to trouble him, and, on August 3, 1874, he closed his life in peace, leaving his property to his wife afid children. In life, he attended the Christian Church, was a Liberal Democrat, and universally respected. His widow and children occUpy the farm, which is superintended by a brother of Mrs. Dye. Mrs. Christian Ritter, mother of Mrs. Dye, also lives with her daughter. She was born in Wurtemberg, G-ermany, in 1799, and is still active and useful.

JACOB EDINGER is a native of Germany, and was born in 1830; he attended school a short time, and worked on his father's farm in the old country until twenty-two years of age, and then came to this country, and settled in Wayne County, Ohio, where he worked by the day, lived close, saved his money, and in 1859 came to this township and bought eighty acres of unimproved land, broke ground, and built a house. June 11, 1861, he married Elizabeth Dunn, who has borne him eight children - Adam, Isaac, Minnie, Melinda, Ella, George, Martin and Otto, all living. Minnie, the eldest daughter, is now the wife of Robert Hildreth. Mr. Edinger joined the German Reformed Church in the old country, and to-day is a leading member of that organization; in politics, he is, a Democrat. He now has a farm of 170 acres under good cultivation, and is now engaged in making alterations in and additions to his dwelling, the site of which he has been compelled to change in order to make way for the passage of the Chicago & Atlantic Railway.

ADAM EDINGER is a native of Germany, where he was born December 25, 1839. He attended school until he was fourteen years of age, and worked on the farm of his father until he reached twenty-two years, when he came to America, locating in Porter County, Ind., and labored on the farm of Ira Cornell for a long time. In 1866, he was married to Lucretia Cornell, daughter of Isaac Cornell, the first settler in Boone Township, and in 1867 he purchased 160 acres in Porter Township." Mr. and Mrs. Edinger have two children - Alvah and Ida. Mr. Edinger is a general farmer, yet gives some attention to stock-raising, and has some fine Norman horses. His farm is as desirable as any in the township, and he is now building a fine two-story frame house, containing ten rooms, and with all the necessary outbuildings. He joine<l the Lutheran Church in Germany, and in politics he is a Democrat.

WILLIAM FRAME was born in Bourbon County, Ky., in 1812, son of William and Margarette (Jerrette) Frame, natives of Virginia, and pioneers of Kentucky. In 1822, the parents moved from the latter State to Preble County, Ohio, and there our subject was educated in the com- mon schools and, reared until 1834, when he came to this township, where for the first two years he worked in William Gosset's saw and grist mills. He then entered eighty acres of land, and hought eighty acres additional, built a log cabin, and in 1839 married Miss Jane McCaryhan, daughter of Thomas McCaryhan. This lady bore her husband twelve children - Newton (deceased), Elizabeth, Thomas J., John L., Sarah Jane, James (deceased),Rosa A.,Mary M., William A., Melinda, Presley andNewton. The mother of this family died January 21, 1877, and in March, 1878, Mr. Frame married Elizabeth Frame, daughter of Francis Peak, and widow of a deceased brother. Two sons - Thomas and John - enlisted in the Indiana Volunteer Infantry during the late war, and in 1865 John died of quick consumption. Thomas passed through all his campaigning unscathed, and is now residing in the far West. Mr. Frame is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics is a Republican. He is still in robust health, and is able to perform as good a day's work on the farm as that of any of his younger competitors. He is a leading citizen, and is held in high esteem by his neighbors.

EDWIN J. GREEN was born in Connecticut in 1820, the son of Jabez and Mary (Eastman) Green, natives of Massachusetts. The parents moved to New York when Edwin was but two years old, and there he attended school untjl fourteen, when his father died. Edwin then took charge of the farm, and at the age of eighteen married Olive 0. Aylesworth, who bore her husband two sons: - Edwin A. and Eugene A., both deceased. The mother followed her children on September 14, 1852, and in 1856 Mr. Greene married Sarah Janes, a native of Wales, and to this union there were born ten children, viz., Eugene G., Olive C, Julia E., Rosetta C, Dor£^ S., Mary J. (deceased), Hiram E., Charles J. (deceased), Edwin J., Jr., and Franklin R. (deceased). Mr. Green came to this county in 1853, and located at Valparaiso, where for some years he was engaged in house and sign painting ; he then handled several patent rights, traveling through thirteen States to effect sales. In 1856, he bought his present fine farm in this township, on Section No. 13, where he is now largely engaged in stock-raising ; he was the first to introduce the Norman horse and other fancy stock into Northern Indiana, and it is said by his neighbors that he has done more for the advancement of stock interests and improvements in breeding than any other man in the State. In politics, he is strongly Republican.

ALBERT HANKINS was born in Lake County, Ind., February 27, 1842, and is the son of William H. and Margaret (Judson) Hankins, who in 1837 came from New York to the county named. After his school days, at the age of fifteen, Mr. Hankins learned the saddler's trade, but during his apprenticeship made a trip to Pike's Peak. In 1862, he went to Montana, where he was engaged in mining ten years. On his return, he engaged in horse-trading in Chicago. Christmas Day, 1872, he was married to Miss Ella A. Thorpe, a native of Philadelphia, who has borne him two children - BUa J. and Cora Bell. In the spring of 1882, he purchased 160 acres of land in this township, on which he is erecting one of t'he finest houses in this county, together with suitable barns and other outbuildings. Mr. Hankins greatly prides himself upon his fast horses, and is the owner of the celebrated stallion " Aristides," who took the gold medal at the Illinois State fair held in Chicago in 1881. In speaking of a daughter of " Ari slides," the New York Spirit of the Times of June 10, 1882, has this to say: " After the race for the Juvenile Stakes at Jerome Park on the 3d ult., Mr. James R. Keene offered $15,000 for the winner, Henlopen, which Mr. Reed declined. The highest price ever paid for a two-year-old in this country was $15,000 and'25 per cent of his engagements, which Mr. Keene paid for Spendthrift in Christmas week, 1878. It is understood that Mr. Keene was desirous of purchasing with a view to exportation to England. We consider Henlopen one of the best fillies we have seen in years. She belongs to the class of which her relations, Sensation, Harold and Spinaway were the head, and has the development, action and high speed which distinguish the familv. Last week we took occasion to notice the success which has attended "the sons of Leamington at the stud, and of which Aristides is the most recent example. Aristides or ' The Red Horse ' was, in our judgment, one of the best of the sons of the old hereof Erdenheim, and as a stayer he ranked second to none. He won the first Kentucky Derby and the Withers at Jerome Park. He could have won the Belmont Stakes also, bnt Mr. McGrath had backed Calvin heavily during the winter, and the orders were imperative. It was the English Derby of 1827 over again, when Lord Jersey had Glenartney's head almost pulled off to let Mameluke win. At the club-house, Aristides was fighting for his head, but the negro boy, Lewis, held him like a vise in order to let Swim win with Calvin, amid shouts of ' Let go that horse's head!' resounding on all sides. Eut ' Linden saw another sight ' when, a year after, Aristides beat Ten Broeck to a standstill, making the fastest mile and a furlong on record - 3:45J. Mr. McGrath's mistaken prejudice in favor of Tom Bowling denied Aristides proper opportunities at the stud, and though he has been off the turf for four years or more, he probably has not a dozen foals in list. Aristides, like his Athenian namesake, who was surnamed ' The Just,' was known far and wide as ' The Red Horse,' from the peculiar blood red color of his coat. This he has transmitted to his daughter Henlopen, and which, with his own peculiar make, he has transferred to her, which refutes the assertion which we suppose will now be in order, that all the merit belongs to Susan Ann, as is the case whenever a son of Leamington succeeds, just as it was when Leamington himself was alive." ALEXANDER HESSE R, son of Andrew and Betsey (Edrain) Hesser, was born in Richland County, Ohio, March 1, 1826. His mother died when he was seven years of age, and he went to live with a farmer, and when he was ten years old began work in a tannery, where he continued two years. He then went to Jefferson County and engaged in farming until thirteen years old, when he came to this county, working for seven years. During this period, he saved his money, attended school during the winter, and made good use of time until he was twenty years old, when on July 5, 1846, he was married to Elizabeth Hammond. He then removed to Jefferson County, Ohio, but after four years he returned to this county, and in 1851 purchased eighty acres and began farming for himself. Mr. and Mrs. Hesser have had three children - Joseph A., Sarah J. and Elwood P.. all of whom are married. Mr. Hesser is now the owner of 600 acres, and as fine a farm as the county affords ; some of his land is in Iowa, and he has given to his children land and money. Mr. !iad Mrs. Hesser are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He vas formerly a Democrat, but is now a Republican, and was a strong supporter of the late war.

SHADRACH HILAND 'was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1807, and is the son of Joseph and Massie (Downing) Hiland, natives of Maryland. Mrs. Hiland died in 1813, and at the age of nine Shadrach went to live with an uncle in Fairfield County, Ohio, where he attended school in winter and worked on the farm in summer until sixteen, after which he worked out on his own account until twenty-seven, when he married Miss Mary Fairchild, and moved to Hancock County, Ohio, where he resided for ten years ; thence he moved to Fulton County, Ind., bought 165 acres of land, built a cabin and cleared up about seventy acres. At this point, January 1, 1854, Mrs. Hiland died, the mother of three chil- <lren - James and William (deceased) and Sarah A., now Mrs. Samuel C. Ross. In the latter part of 1854, Mr. Hiland married Sylvania Kizer, v/idow of Blake Kizer and daughter of Nathan Herendeen, and to this union one child was born - Celida S., in 1861. In 1865, Mr. Hiland came to this township and. bought 80 acres on Section No. 13, where he is now engaged in prosperous farming ; he is a member of the United Brethren Church, and in politics was formerly a Democrat, having cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson for President, but since the formation of the Republican party he has given it his affiliation and vote.

A. R. HOUSE was born in Vermont in 1815, and was the first born of the nine children of Zela and Eunice (Belknap) House, natives of the same State. About 1819, the family started West; went down the Ohio River as far as Evansville, Ind., where they tarried six years, and then returned Bast, and for about seventeen years lived in the town of Yorkshire, State of New York. Mr. House, during these changes, had but little opportunity for schooling, and in 1837 left his home for the West again, and came to St. Joseph, where he worked in a foundry until 1843, and then made a trip of 800 miles on horseback to New York to see his parents. He returned West the same year, bought some land in Ohio, and married Alvia Smith, who died ten months after. A year and a half later, he married Nancy Hill, sold his Ohio farm and came to Porter, where, four years later, his second wife died, leaving one daughter - Janette, now married to Isaac Eaton. A year and a half later, he married Sophia Dye, who, also, has borne him one daughter - Serena, now the wife of Merritt Cornell. Mr. House now owns a farm of 240 acres, in a good state of cultivation and well improved in every respect ; he is a member of the Christian Church, is a Democrat, and occupies a high position in the regard of the community.

ZELA HOUSE, fifth child of Zela and Eunice (Belknap) House, natives of Vermont, was born in New York State October 4, 1824. Until sixteen years of age, Zela attended school and worked on the home farm alternately winter and summer, and after that assisted regularly on the farm until about twenty-three years old, when he was induced by his brother, A. R. House, to come West, which he did, accompanied by his father and family. They located in Porter, and for four years longer Zela remained with his father. At the age of twenty-seven, he married

Jane Spafiford, daughter of Chester Spafford. In 1854, he bought forty acres of land and a log house, but he has now a fine farm of ninety acres, improved with a two-story frame dwelling and all the outbuildings requisite for general farming purposes ; he raises some stock and has some choice imported animals from England and Canada ; he has no children, but has reared and educated a daughter of James Price, now married to W. T. Critchfield, and living in Nebraska. In politics, Mr. House is a Democrat.

LBANDER JONES, son of Enoch and Catherine (Kimerer) Jones, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in January, 1850. About the year 1852, his father moved to this county, where Leander attended school and worked on the home farm till nineteen years of age ; he then attended high school at Valparaiso for five terms. In April, 1872, he married Elmira Cornell, daughter of Ira and Emily Cornell, and to this union there have been born three boys and one girl - Edgar V., Clayton E., Clarence I. and an infant daughter, yet unnamed ; he has a firstclass farm of 106 acres, a comfortable home and good outbuildings, and a bright prospect before him. In addition to the usual routine of agriculture, he takes great interest in live stock and has in his possession some fine blooded animals.

JAMES H. KENWORTHY is a native of Albany County, N. Y., and was born in 1845 ; his parents, Jared and Mary (Taytor) Kenworthy, were born in Yorkshire, England, in 1819 arid 1820, were married in 1840, and came to America in 1843. In 1844, his father opened a village blacksmith shop in Albany County, and there died in 1848 ; his mother then married Thomas McDonough, who brought the family to La Porte County, this State, where he died in 1880, leaving the mother again a widow. In 1870, our subject came to this township, married Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Campbell, and they are now the parents of three boys - Archibald C, William A. and James Allen. Mr. Kenworthy is now the owner of the old Campbell homestead, and is living in the same house in which he was married, with his mother and the parents of Mrs. Kenworthy ; he is a member of the Presbyterian Church in good standing, and attends divine services as often as circumstances will permit.

DANIEL R. LUDINGTON, the third son of Alvah and A.bigail (Welsh) Ludington, was born in Oxford, Upper Canada, September 9, 1827. The father died when Daniel was but seven years of age, and in consequence the latter did not receive a great deal of schooling ; he was obliged to work for a livelihood, and began at 12| cents per day and board; but saved his money, then, at sixteen, worked in a confectionery and bakery at $4 per month and board ; at nineteen, he hauled lumber at ?9 per month, and at twenty married Alvia Strong. In 1848, ho came to this county and worked on several farms until 1850, when he bought eighty acres of land, improved with a two-story log house, and is now as comfortably situated as most of his neighbors ; he has had born to him nine children, viz.: Alvia F., Henry (deceased), Alice (deceased), Joseph, James, Frances. Mary E., Abbie and Ellas. In politics, he is a Democrat, and is active in support of the interests of his party.

attending school at the age of six, and so continued each winter throughout his youth, working on the home farm each summer until twenty-six years old, when, February 26, 1857, he married Miss Lucinda, daughter of Simon and Rachel Armentrout, and in the fall of the same year came to this county and township and bought forty acres of land on Section No. 5, which he farmed four years, then sold, and bought forty acres on Section No. 1, to which he has since added until he now owns 154 acres, all under good cultivation, and improved with a first-class frame dwelling and frame outbuildings. In addition to farming, he devotes considerable attention to stock-raising, and sends out some very fine animals. Mr. McGinley has had born to him five children - Sarah E., Mary C, George W. (deceased), Clara B. and Simon P.; he has also reared a son of Mrs. Wilana, of Knox County, Ohio, who has returned to his mother, and i§ doing well as a scene sketcher and engraver. Mr. and Mrs. McGinley and daughter Clara are members in good standing of the Christian Church, and Miss Clara is being trained for school teaching. Mr. McG. is a Democrat in politics, but rather liberal in his views, and has held the office of Road Supervisor for about twelve years.

EBEN S. MERRIFIELD, son of George C. and Mary (Parks) Merrifield, was born in Yates County, N. Y., July 25, 1836, where he attended the public schools, and at the age of twenty came to Valparaiso, this county, with his father ; here he resided till 1861, engaged in the study and practice of law, when he was appointed to the position of Clerk to the House Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads, at Washington, D. C, which position he held during one session of Congress, and was then appointed to a clerkship in the Treasury Department, in, which he faithfiilly discharged his duties until 1864, when he returned to this county and located in this township on Section 34. He was married, in 1861, to Miriam F. Wolff, daughter of John and Marcia Wolfi', and to their union have been born two boys and two girls - Ralph C, Maud (deceased), Lydia and John (deceased); he is a Republican in politics, and and was a delegate to the National Convention, held at Cincinnati, in 1876 ; his farm product chiefly consists of hay, as he gives more attention to stock-raising than to agriculture. In his specialty he has made a success, and he now probably has the best stock farm in Porter County; he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in good standing, and is universally regarded as a worthy and useful citizen.

JAMES MILLER was born in Alleghany County, Md., in 1831, the third child of Henry and Rachael (Dye) Miller, of German parentage, and born respectively in 1801 and 1809. James Miller attended school at intervals, and worked on his father's farm until seventeen years old, and until twenty worked out for himself; then he went to Wayne County, Ohio, and in 1856, married Elizabeth Hague, who bore him two children, Elmer H. and Alice (now Mrs. Albert Skinkle). In 1862, he came to Porter, and a year later bought a farm of eighty-one and onehalf acres, improved with a log house. Since his residence here, there have been five children born to him - Isaiah, Willie C, Estella, Ida and Jennie. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members in good standing of the Christian Church, and in politics he is a Democrat, as was his father before him ; his farm now comprises 302 acres, and is well cultivated and improved with good dwelling and outbuildings; he devotes the greater part of his attention to agriculture, although he raises, in addition, a great many horses and hogs for market.

ANDERSON POOR is the eldest of ten children of Edward and Sarah (Morris) Poor, of whom the former was born in North Carolina April 24, 1794, and the latter in Tennessee in about 1801. The father was a soldier of the war of 1812, and was married in Tennessee in 1816; he then engaged in farming in North Carolina, where our subject was born August 13, 1819. In 1824, the father brought his family to this State, locating in Fountain County, moving thence, in 1831, to Illinois. In 1832, when but twelve years of age, our subject enlisted in the Black Hawk war, and was stationed at old Port Dearborn, in Chicago. Afterward, worked on the farm with his father until nineteen years old, and then began for himself. January 5, 1843, he married Charlotte Dwight, who has borne him seven children - Emily L., born May 18, 1844; Morris, September 10, 1846, deceased ; Mary A., January 4, 1848 ; Frances A., April 8, 1850, deceased; Lafayette B., June 11, 1852; Maryette B., June 26, 1857, and Edward E., February 22, 1865. In 1865, he came to this county and located near Valparaiso, buying a farm of 150 acres; this he sold in 1877; came to this township and bought the farm of 240 acres on Section 23, on which he has ever since resided, sincerely respected by all his neighbors.

WILLIAM RIGG, the eldest of the six children of Robert and Mary (Newell) Rigg, was born near Wheeling, Va., in 1818 ; his father was a stone-mason, and in 1829 moved to Pittsburgh, Penn., and thence, in 1832, to Lawrence County, same State, where he bought a farm. On this farm William Rigg lived and worked until twenty-seven years of age, when he married Miss Mary, daughter of John and Rebecca Wallace. In 1859, he came to this township, bought a partially improved farm of 160 acres, began working it, and, in 1861, brought on his family, who had been left behind on account of illness ; his six children were born in Pennsylvania, and are named as follows; Robert N., John W., Sidney J., William B. and Mary, deceased. Mr. Rigg was a member of the New Castle (Lawrence County, Penn.) Light Artillery for about thirteen years, and was under drill of Col. Scott, brother of Lieut. Gen. Scott. In this township he has served for six years as Trustee ; his farm is well improved, with a fine frame dwelling and all the requisite outbuildings, and is under as good cultivation as any in the township; he pays considerable attention to stock-raising, and has some imported Herefordshire cattle, he being the first to introduce them into the county. In politics, he is a Republican, and was formerly an Abolitionist, and a large stockholder in the Underground Railway.

SAMUEL 0. ROSS is the tenth child of Samuel and Ruth (Craft) Ross, who,, respectively, were born in Virginia in 1792, and in Pennsylvania in 1802. After their marriage, they settled in Pennsylvania, moving thence to Knox County, Ohio, and thence to Licking County, where Samuel C. was born February 5, 1838. After attending school and working on his father's farm until 1857, our subject came to Fulton County, this State, where he married, October 10, 1861, Miss Sarah A., daughter of Shadrach and Mary (Fairchild) Hiland, and, in 1865, came to this township and bought forty acres of land on Section 13. To this marriage have been born five children - Oslow H., May 19, 1868 ; Carrie v., November 20, 1864; Mary E., December 30, 1869; Alvah C, June 12, 1873, and Charles M., September 3, 1877. Mr. Ross attends church as circumstances permit, and in politics is a Republican.

JAMES S. SAWYER, son of Nathan and Sally (Flint) Sawyer, was born in 1806; he learned the carpenter's trade in Wayne County, Ohio, and for some time followed it for a livelihood. In 1832, he married Miss Alvina Ellsworth, who has borne him fourteen children - seven boys and seven girls - James C. (deceased), Cornelius D., Philip L., Ofville J., Louisa, Sylvia R., William L., Fremont D., and the others died in infancy. In 1850, Mr. Sawyer came to Porter Township, and settled on land purchased for his wife by her father, put up a cabin and fences, and went to farming. Becoming discontented, he soon made a trip to California, returning in about eighteen months, a loser by the venture. A year later, he went to Idaho, where he remained three years, then returned home and recommenced farming; he has now a good farm of eighty acres, a good two-story frame house, and all things about him in comfortable shape ; he is a member in good standing in the Christian Church, and in politics is a Republican.

CORNELIUS D. SAWYER, son of James S. and Mary (Ellsworth) Sawyer, was born in Ohio January 6, 1836.. His father was a native of New York, his mother of Ohio. When Cornelius was about five years old, his father came to this county and purchased the farm on which he still resides. Cornelius remained at home, working on the farm, which he managed successfully during his father's absence in California. On November 29, 1856, he was married to Eunice Shreves, widow of C. Shreves, and daughter of David Wells, of Porter County. Five children blessed the union - Ella M., Craig (deceased), Mary May, James Perry and Florence. In 1872, Mr. Sawyer bought 74 acres on Section 30, having a good frame house thereon, where he lived with his family. On June 2, 1878, after four years' illness, Mrs. Sawyer died of consumption; she was a member of the Christian Church and a jnuch esteemed lady. In 1882, Mr. Sawyer exchanged his place for the Wanders farm, where he now lives. Soon after Mrs. Sawyer's decease, his son Craig succumbed to the same malady. On April 29, 1882, Mr. Sawyer married Mary Rady. of Valparaiso, who also died on June 29, from typhoid fever. The cares of the faniily had fallen upon his eldest daughter, Ella, who married E. Green, of Chicago; Mary May succeeded ' her, and is a good housekeeper. Mr. Sawyer has some fine imported sheep - the Cotswold - from Canada ; also some Norman horses.

JAMES STEPHENS was born in the State of Michigan in the year 1833, and when about fourteen years of age, came to this county with his father. Here he assisted on the farm until twenty-five years old, when he entered into the dry goods business at Valparaiso, which he followed with great success about seven years. In 1858, he married Miss Martha Leonard, and as the fruit of this union there were five children born - three girls and two boys - as follows : Clara, Eva, Lewis, Lizzie and Willie. Mrs. Stephens departed this life in 1873. In 1860, Mr. Stephens purchased the farm of 185 acres in this township, on which he Still resides and which he has improved in a manner creditable to himself and township. Mrs. Stephens died in 1873. In 1876, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary B. Kopp, widow of Louis Kopp, and to this marriage there has been one babe born. Mr. Stephens 'm an active member of the Republican party, and by it has been twice elected to the ofiBce of Justice of the Peace.

. WILLIAM STEWART was born in Ireland July 21, 1809, and is a son of Charles and Jane (Stewart) Stewart. His father was a farmer, with whom William lived, attending school until fourteen years old, and working on the farm until 1838. At this time, he was married to Nancy Wilson. In this union he was blessed with five children - Charles, Isabel, John, an infant (deceased), and Jane, all the living being married. In 1847, Mr. and Mrs. Stewart came to Amej-ica, and from New York they went to Canada, thence to Philadelphia, and thence to Caldwell .County, Ohio, where they farmed for three years. In 1851, they came to this township, entered 160 acres, which they sold; then entered eighty acres in Section 15 and built a log cabin, soon after purchasing forty acres adjoining ; this they devoted to stock, market produce and some hay and corn. After a lingering illness, Mr. Stewart died April 16, 1882, leaving his estate to his wife. His son John was a soldier of Company I, Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, After the war, he settled to farming, and in 1868 married Martha M. Young, by whom he had six children - William J., George C, Alice J., Charles F., Robert R., and an infant girl. He purchased the homestead and gives a homestead to the family. William Stewart was a member of the U. P. Church, also a Republican.

CHARLES STEWART, son of William and Nancy (Wilson) Stewart, was born in Ireland in 1838. and came with his parents, when nine years old, to America. After living three years in Ohio, his father came to this township, where Charles worked in the summer and attended school in the winter until eighteen years of age, when he quit school; worked on the farm for three years; he then had three terms of school at Valparaiso, after which he served as teacher in his township one year. At this time, from failing health, he went to California, where he farmed for three years; he then, returned home, but went again to California, engaging in the lumber business. In 1870, he came back to this county and was married to Nancy J. Palmer, who died in 1872. On June 6, 1878, he was married to Elmina J. Williams, daughter of Miles Williams, of Lake County. This union was blessed with three children - infant girl (deceased), Nancy E. and Charles E. In 1874, Mr. Stewart purchased forty acres of unimproved land, and soon after another forty acres, with good log house and outbuildings, all of which land is under cultivation. Mr. Stewart is a Republican, and was once elected Justice of the Peace, but declined to serve for want of time.

JOHN N. SUMMER was born in New York Stat^ December 28, 1836, the eldest of seven children born to Christian and Magdalena (Noffsinger) Summer, natives of France, who came to America in 1833, and were married in 1834. When John N. was two years of age, his father moved to Canada. Here John went to school until fourteen years old ; his father then, in 1850, moved to this township, where John worked at farming until twenty-three years of age, when he married Miss Sabina Ritter, who has borne him four children - Salvina, born April 6, 1860 : Hattie A., July 18, 1863 ; William E., February 23, 1865 ; and Anna A., Jan%ary 16, 1868. During the earlier years of his married life, Mr. Summer made his home with his parents, but at times resided with his wife's people. He is now living on a half section of land belonging to R. P. Wells, and is prospering as a farmer and carpenter. He is a member of the Mennonite Church, and is well thought of by his neighbors.

ALEXANDER L. SWEET, son of Richard and Catherine (Beedle) Sweet, was born in New York July 8, 1800. While yet a child, his mother died, his father being at sea for his health. On the return of the latter, he became insane on hearing of the death of his wife. Alexander's education was limited, inasmuch as he was compelled to labor at a tender age ; but, by hard study, at the age of twenty he became a teacher in a public school ; he also learned the carpentering trade, and could manage a farm. When he became twenty-one years old, he went to Ciinada, where he married Azubah Young, daughter of John Young, by whom he had seven children - John R. (deceased), Joseph W. (deceased), Myron J., Zilpha A., Olynthus (deceased), Young A. and Ann A. E. In 1837, he sold his effects and came to this State, locating at La Grange, Noble County, where he farmed two years before coming into this county, and bargaining for thirty acres, but died before he could pay for them. The payment was afterward made by his widow,' who resides upon the land. Mr. Sweet was a Deacon in the Christian Church, a Republican and a respected gentleman. Four of hjs sons were soldiers in the late war, one of whom, Joseph W., died from disease contracted in the service ; he be- . longed to Company E, Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry ; Myron J. and Young A. were in Company I, Fifth Indiana Cavalry ; and John R. in Company E, One Hundred and Fifty-first Indiana Infantry.

ALONZO TUCKER is a native of the town of Dundee, Kane Co., 111., and was born in 1855. His early pecuniary circumstances were somewhat circumscribed, but he possessed energy and determination, and he labored with a will at farming, while still quite young, to acquire money to provide for his education, neglecting no opportunity, in the meanwhile, of attending school. December 6, 1880, he married Miss Geneva Wirick, and to this union one child (now deceased) was born. Mr. Tucker is now living on a rented farm of one hundred and sixty acres in this township, belonging to Mr. Joseph Jones, and, with the assistance of Mrs. Tucker, is just getting a good gtart in the world. He is prudent and economical, and with these qualities, added to temperate habits, he has success apparently placed within his grasp.

JOHN L. WEILER, son of John George and Joanna (Kuemel) Weiler, was bom in Wurtemberg, Germany, June 24, 1829 ; his father was a wagon-maker, and John L. worked with him until his twentyfourth year, when he came to America and followed his trade for four years. Having saved some money, in 1857 he came to this State and purchased forty acres in Section 24 of this township. On July 6, 1857, he was married to Christiana Riecker, by whom he has had thirteen chil- (Jren - George E., Mary C. (deceased), Maria B. (deceased),Franklin W.. Louisa J., Paulina J., John L. and Christiana (twins), D. (deceased).

Adam and three infants, deceased. By his own diligence and his wife's assistance, he is now the owner of a fine farm of 220 acres, with a good frame residence. In addition to general farming, he gives attention to stock-raising. Mr. Weileris an upright man and a highly esteemed citizen.

DAVID L. YOUNG, was born in New York in 1824, and wa;^ the youngest of four children born to Nathan and Laura (Lane) Young. The father had learned shoe-inaking, but gave up^the trade and bought ;i farm and saw-mill, in which David was employed, when not at school until thirteen years of age, when his father sold all his effects and came to La Porte County, where he died in 1838. David then turned hi> attention to anything he could get to do, and aided in supporting his mother until twenty-seven years of age, when he married Miss Lovinii Guernsey, daughter of H. B. Guernsey. This lady died July 10, 1865, the mother of six children - George W., Jeremiah, Eliza (deceased). Charlotte (deceased), Francis (deceased) and Emma L. August 12. 1866, Mr. Young married Miss Phoebe A. Thornton, and to this union were born four children - Milton and James (deceased), Malita and David L. In 1864, Mr. Young bought 240 acres of as fine land as there is in this township from H. B. Guernsey, although he pays more attention to stock-raising than to farming. Mr. Young formerly kept a country store, and was for a long time Postmaster at Hobart, where he also kept the Hobart House for ten years. He has seen as many as 500 Indians in camp at one time in Deep River botton.' In politics, he is a Republican, and during the late war stood the draft three times, but wa.s^ never drawn.