Salt Creek Township

The Salt Works

salt springs along its course. These were discovered at an carly day from the great resort made of them by deer which came to drink. They became famous deer-licks, where, as long as those animals were found in the county in any abundance, they could be killed by the hunters, and were so killed. Some of the salty localities gave evidence of such strength that it was resolved to evaporate the water, and thus begin the business of manufacturing salt. If it is remembered that at that time salt was a scarce and costly article in the woods, made so by the great distance where it was prepared and barreled, and by the great cost of transportation, the value of an excellent well will be readily understood. It is not necessary to inform old settlers of the commercial value of good salt works within from one to fifteen miles of their doors. As early as 1822 or 1823, Henry Wampler, Thomas Literal and several others bored down on Section 12, Township 8 north, Range 1 east, and found an adundance of excellent brine. 'They erected ''shanties," procured several large iron kettles, and began the work. They received a wide patronage from the start and increased their capacity by the addition of more kettles and men to do the work. The works were conducted for a period of years, and it is said that more than 800 bushels of excellent salt were manufactured in one year. Exact figures cannot be given. The travel to the works became so great at the start, even, that the owners and others petitioned the County Board in 1823 to construct a road from the county seat to the works, which was accordingly done. In after years other wells were sunk in the township, one being near the iron bridge, across Salt Creek. This early manufacture of salt was before the settlement of the township. In 1825, the township received a separate existence, and was named from the works which rendered the locality famous, and from the creek which coursed its way from north to south across its surface.

Natural Features

There is much good soil in the township, though scattered and in small tracts. The lower lands and the slopes are the best for agriculture. Hillsides are found rich and usually pay for cultivation. The tendency is to seed the higher lands down or permit them to retain their natural covering of timber, while the lower tracts are annually cultivated and made to sustain a population of moderate density. Good springs of hard water abound. In the western part are a series of sulphur springs, which possess no little merit for sanitary or medicinal purposes. It is probable, however, that they would not pay to be fitted up for the reception and care of invalids. Salt Creek is the main artery for the conveyance of the waters which sustain the vegetation of the township. Small branches extend outward from it at angles like the limbs and twigs of a tree. An abundance of good stone can be obtained by a reasonable amount of labor. Lime is manufactured to some extent, and brick and tile can be had at several locations.

Land Entries

On the 9th of September, 1817, Moses Williams bought 160 acres on Section 7, and this was the frst purchase in Salt Creek Township. Lowe and Lee bought 120 acres on Section 10, in 1818. On the 2d of August, 1820, Elisha Pollard entered two quarters on Section 18, and during the same year Moses Williams entered another tract on Section 22, and John Huff on the same section. Williams also bought on Section 12, in 1821 and 1824. The following year Henry Wampler bought two tracts, one on Section 23, and the other on Section 27. John Huff also this year purchased a piece on the latter section, and Elisha Pollard on Section 6. James Matlock secured the next tract on Section 27, in 1822. John W. Lee bought on Section 11, in 1824, and J. O. Howe on Section 12, in 1826. J. O. Howe, Sr., bought 80 acres on Section 2, in 1824, and John Barnes on Section 10, in 1828. These were the only entries before the decade of thirties. Alexander Owens bought on Section 10, in 1832. In 1832, William Boruff entered a piece on Section 31, and Jacob Stephens on Section 2 the following year. John Stephens bought a piece the latter year on Section 3. The following entries were made in 1836: Samuel Smith on Section 3; Finney Courtney on Section 4; Henderson Myers on Section 4; Ambrose Miller, Aquilla Rogers and William Martin on Section 6; John McKissock on Section T; Andrew Harshberger on Section 8; J. O. Howe on Section 11; Edward Walker and John Huff on Section 15; Jonathan Huntington on Section 17; George Johnson on Section 18; Thomas Ferguson on Section 19; Archibald Wilson on Section 21; Reuben Clark on Section 27; Samuel McCalla and George Johnson on Section 28 ; Thomas Ferguson and William Taylor on Section 30, the latter buying 125 acres; Michael Wampler and David Killough on Section 31; James Wakefield on Section 82, and Archibald Wilson, Daniel Butcher and Aaron M. Wilson on Section 34. The following entries were made in 1837: W. W. Duncan on Section 4; W. D. Maxwell, Section 4; Garret Moore, Section 7; Isaac Bolinghouse, Section 9; Edward Walker, Section 15; Alexander Miller, same; John Cherry, same; John Armstrong, same; Michael Wampler, Section 81; James Wakefield,'Section 31. In 1838, the followlowing entries were made: Charles M. Cunningham, Section 6; Samuel Curry, Section 7; Daniel McCaughan, Daniel Kilpatrick and James Gordon, Section 8; John Barnes, Section 10 ; Hamilton Gray, Section 21. In 1839, the following were the entries: Lankston Brummet, Section 4 ; Alexander Kerr, Section 6; Samuel Latimer, Section 8; Jonathan Huntington, Section 9; William Cabot, Section 17 ; George Johnson, Section 28; David Johnson, Section 28; John Campbell, Section 31; John Lucas, Section 33, and the same on Section 34. The above were the only entries of land in Salt Creek 'Township previous to the year 1840.

Poll-Tax Payers Of 1841

Brummet lived on Section 4, and paid a tax of $3.02 on $230 worth of personal property and $150 worth of real estate. James Chandler, who owned no land, paid a poll tax. James Fleener lived on Section 18, but was delinquent. George Johnson also lived on Section 18; his tax was $2.44. John Hansan, William Helton and Samuel Harbison paid poll tax. John Lucas and Samuel Latimore were assessed poll tax. James Smith lived on Section 27, John Stephenson Section 3, and Samuel Smith on Section 3. Their tax was $2.90, $3.60 and $3.26, respectively. Jonathan Sherrill owned 80 acres on Section 31, and was taxed $2.30. Michael Wampler and J. W. Wakefield were residents, but were delinuent. Bartlett Woodward owned 80 acres on Section 34, and was taxed 3.18. This old settler was one of the first County Commissioners.

The Public Schools

No schools were taught in Salt Creek Township until late in the thirties, at which time two started into being about the same time - one near the Boles farm or the Butcher farm, in the southern part, and the other a little north of the center. Both were log houses, and were used only temporarily for school purposes. In 1843, there were two schoolhouses, and a portion of the school section (No. 16) had been sold to increase the funds to pay the teachers and to keep up the houses. By 1846, two hundred and twenty acres had been sold for $505, but only $126.25 had been realized in cash. In 1856, there were three good schoolhouses and two temporary concerns. One of the good houses stood on Section 15, another on Section 19, and the third on Section 34. The schools, then, at best, were very inferior. Later years have brought a great improvement, but serious errors have crept in that should be corrected. Pupils have become parrots, not thinking, reasoning beings. The system of public school education requires summary correction and revision. Enormous sums are annually expended on the public schools, handsome buildings are erected, and the system is the pride of every citizen. But in a measure the system is a failure. The public schools are the womb of the intellectual life of this nation, and an immense responsibility devolves upon our educators. Their first duty is to teach the children to think; do they? Mere memorizing is only a mental gymnastic. If the literal form is forgotten, the idea vanishes and the learner is left hopelessly ignorant. The teachers should strictly forbid the pupil to repeat, parrotlike, the words of the book, and insist that the ideas gained therefrom be clothed in different language. Let our education be practical, is the ery. By all means; but it does not go far enough. 'Readin', writin' and cipherin' " are not knowledge, but simply its instruments.

The boy who leaves the public schools knowing no more than that - and even geography and a little history - is as barren as to his ideas, is as completely shut out of the intellectual world as though he had nevermade an attempt to enter it. The great majority of pupils leave school at the age of fifteen. Their chief literary condiments are the flashy story papers and works of fiction belonging to the diseased, sensational type. If they have ever heard of Shakspeare, Addison, Tennyson, Longfellow and the host of great literati, they are not indebted to the public schools for the information. To be sure, there is a school reader; but the read- ing hour is devoted almost entirely to the intonation of the voice, and not in elucidating the sense of the matter. Let the memory be exercised, by: all means, not in memorizing text-books, but in gleaning from the deathless productions of the past and the great works of to-day. We repeat that to teach a child to think is the object of school education.

In a year the pupil will acquire a host of choice, pregnant sayings, that are couched in language so pure and elegant that they cannot but re act upon and unconsciously shape his own. This is eminently practical, and, even it were not, it is not all of life to hoard the almighty dollar. If the teachers can, by short conversations and quotations from standard authors, succeed in interesting their pupils and thereby send them to the works themselves, they will confer an incalculable boon upon those who are sacredly put in their charge and do much in solving a vital question. Only then will the evil of trashy literature be forever laid at rest. A child cannot be forced into solid reading. He must be tempted to it. The taste comes slowly, but when once acquired is a mine of wealth, exhaustless through life, and what is more, is the road to happiness and content. That school or college which seeks the natural bent of the child places him under the refining influences of the best writers, and which shapes his thoughts according to the best thinkers of the world has succeeded; but that school or college which sends a pupil from its doors with his mental tastes undeveloped, and his vocation undiscovered (this too frequently happens in the largest universities of the land), has failed and failed lamentably. It will not do to say that the acquisition of these tastes must be left to high schools. Comparatively few of the school children go there. School life is the smallest part of an education, and the duty of the educators is to put the pupil on the right road, which he will afterward pursue for himself.

What is so practical as science? The rudiments of physical geography, chemistry, physics, geology and botany are now published by leading scientists, and in a form so lucid that a child of ten can understand them. And yet if a man asked the question in the public schools of this township, " On what principle is it that water is drawn from the bottom of the well by a pump?" probably out of a hundred who have used the pumphandle one could answer the question. Concerning the most elementary principles of science the body of "practical" men are densely ignorant. Also another branch of study - one of transcendent importance - is completely neglected. It is political economy. By our Constitution universal suffrage prevails, and the schoolboy of to-day is the voter of to-morrow. Politics is the theme of the boy as well as the man. Yet glaring commercial and financia) fallacies gain currency in politics, which a child with a knowledg4 of the fundamental principles of the science could refute. A half hour every other day in the public schools devoted to the study of Prof. Jevou's primer, Mrs. Fawcett's excellent little work or any other good book, would be a splendid assurance of safe legislation for the future. In these respects, then, our public schools can be improved. Ideas should be gotten from text-books and not words. The study of science, political economy and our Constitution should be introduced, and could be without increased expenditure. They are greatly needed and eminently practical.

If one thing more than another characterizes an American, it is the desire to secure to his children the advantages denied to himself. A great many things go to make up an education, and we do not believe that we are getting our money's worth to-day.

In 1851, a class of the Christian Church was organized in Salt Creek Township. The first meetings were held at the residence of Elizabeth Wampler. In 1854, arrangements were made to build a church on Moore's Creek, the funds being raised by subscription. Among the early members were the families of Mrs. Wampler, William Baxter, William Shields, John Lucas, Troylus Mize and others. The membership at the time the building was erected was about thirty. This was the leading religious society of the township in early years. Several others started into life in schoolhouses, but were short lived. Later years have seen the erection of other churches.

Friendship

In the month of September, 1857, James G. Fleener, with the assistance of the County Surveyor, laid off eighteen lots on Section 21, Township 8 north, Range 1 east, and named the village thus begun Friendship, a very pretty and sociable cognomen. But Friendship was fated to die on paper, as it made no friends who cared to remain with it through the storms and sunshines of this busy world. It surrendered to the inevitable in a few short months.,

JAMES O. BAXTER, farmer, was born in this township, March 24, 1835, and is a son of William and Mary (Lee) Baxter; the former a native of 'Tennessee, the latter of Kentucky. William Baxter moved when very young to this county and roceived a fair education. He was a farmer by occupation, which he followed until his death, January 1, 1858. Mrs. Baxter was a life-long communicant of the Separate Baptist Church, and departed from earth August 24, 1872. James O. Baxter, our subject, received a quite limited education in youth, and remained with his parents until September 5, 1861, when he became a soldier in Company G, Thirty-first Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and continued in the service until January 6, 1866, during which period he was promoted to be Sergeant. After his discharge, he returned to his parents, with whom he remained until December 16, 1866, at which time he married Amanda Ellen Smith, a native of this county, and to them five children have been granted, of which number one son and two daughters, remain. Mr, Baxter is a strong pleader for temperance, and in political leaning a Democrat. He is one of the principal land owners and citizens of the township, and, with his wife, a devoted member of the Chris tian Church.

JAMES D. BUTCHER is a native of Colee County, Ill., was born March 19, 186i, and is a son of Jacob and America D. (Finley) Butcher, natives of Indiana and of English descent. Jacob Butcher received a limited education, and when sixteen years old departed for California, but, meeting with reverses, roamed through many States and Territories, and finally returned to his native commonwealth and married in 1856. He then moved to Texas for two years; thence removing to Illinois, where he remained four years, and thereafter returned to this county. Mr. Butcher has been a life-long farmer. James D. Butcher received a good school education in this county's schools, and for the past two years has been teaching in the public schools, having previously assisted his father on the home farm. He is politically a Greenbacker, a respected citizen and one of the most promising young men of his county and township. In religious inclination, he is, like his parents, an adherent of the Seventh- Day Advent Church.

HIRAM M. HELTENBURG is a native of Wythe County, Va., and was brought into the world August 27, 1815. He was not fortunate enough to receive any education in youth, and at the age of twenty years emigrated with his mother and step-father to this State and county, where he remained with them until April 26, 1846, at which time he married Nancy Sowder, of this county, since which timo he has lived exclusively in Monroe and Lawrence Counties. Mr. Heltenburg is a member of Harrodsburg Lodge, No. 322, A. F. & A. M. He is a National in politics, and a strong advocate of temperance. He has one of the best farms in his region that is tobe found, and he is one of the leading and solid citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Heltenburg are long-standing and esteemed members of the Christian Church, and the parenis of eight children, of which number two sons and tive daughters are living.

JOHN HUNTINGTON, farmer, is a native of this township, his date of birth February 21, 1833, and his parents Jonathan and Elizabeth (Turman) Huntington, the former a native of Lower Canada. the latter of Tennessee. and both of English extraction. Jonathan Huntington had received a good education, and about 1831 or 1832. moved to this county, where he followed his only profession - farming - having purchased land from the Government. He died in 1845, and Mrs. Hunting ton in 1872; she was a member of the Baptist Church. John Huntington was born, reared, educated and married in this county, where ho has spent a life of fifty-one years, and is now the oldest settler. Jn 1854, he went by emigrant train to California, remained until 1857, and then returned. March 31. 1859, he married Sarah V. Payne, of this county, from which union issued eight children, of which three sons and four daughters are living. Mr. Huntington has one of the best farms with improvements and appointments in this township. He has served as Justice of the Peace and County Commissioner. Both be and wife ure adherents of the Baptist Church.

JOHN C. JOHNSON, deceased, was a native of Danville, Vt., born July 4, 1824, and is a son of Robert and Sarah Johnson. He received more than a common school education, having for atime attended an academy in his native State. In consequence of his father's decease, he was early destined to struggle for a liveliboud, and in that time played many parts as a sailor, a railroad hand, and for some years worked on the L., N. A. & C. Railroad. May 15, 1853, he married Susan Ellis, a na. tive of this county, to which union were bestowed several children, three sons and four daughters being yet alive. In 1865, Mr. Jol:nson enlisted for service againt the rebellion, during which he contracted a fatal illness, which culminated in death June 21, 1869. Mr. Johnson was a devoted and honored member of the M. E. Church, a Republican politically, and a most reputable and trusted citizen. Mrs. Johnson has, by her indomitable energy, not only reared her family, but purchased a farm in this township, which constitutes her home.

DAVID B. JUDAH, farmer, is a native of Montgomery County, Ky., was born September 9, 1814, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Jennings) Judah, the former u native of Germany, the latter of Virginia, and respectively of German and German-Irish descent. Samuel Judah emigrated to the United States about the year 1790, and settled in Kentucky, where he lived more than thirty years, then moved to Lawrence County, this State, planted a crop of corn, returned to Kentucky for his family, and there sickened and died; this was in October, 1820. He associated preaching with farming, and was hostile to slavery. David B. Judah remained at home until he was eighteen years old, when he learned the tanner's trade and worked thereat until 1840, at which time he established a tannery at Bloomington. January 31, 1836, he married Miss Emma Harriet, daughter of William and Jemima Parks, to which union eleven children were bestowed, of which number five sons and two daughters are yet living - Samuel N., Winepark, Elizabeth E., Morris, Rodolphus, Francis M. and Emma H. Mr. Judah followed tanning until' 1873, when he gave his attention to farming, with an experience of two years in the mercantile way; his farm is situated in Brown County. His sons, Morris and Francis, are proprietors of the only grist mill in this township, also one of the best water mills. Morris is likewise a practicing physician; both are influential citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Judah are members of the Christian Church.

MILTON MYERS, farmer, was born in this county May 12, 1840, his parents being Henderson and Minerva Myers. Henderson Myers came to this county when about fourteen or fifteen years of ge, worked on a farm, and continued in that capacity until he was twenty-five, when he married. He purchased a farm in Perry, and also one in this township, where he died March 22, 1826; he and wife were lifelong members of the Separate Baptist Church. Milten Myers received a good public school education, and remained with his parents until June 21, 1860, at which time he married Mary A. Buskirk, of this county, which union was blessed by nine children, of which number are yet living three sons and four daughters, of which last Miss Addie has received a fine education and is now a promising teacher. Mr. Myers is a practicak farmer; he has held the position of Road Superintendent, and is one of the leading and influential citizens of the township. Mrs. Myers and two daughters are members of the Christian Church.

SOLOMON C. PAYNE was born in Rowan County, N. C., November 16, 1830, and is the eldest child of James and Anna (Phillips) Payne, the former a native of North Carolina, born 1810, the latter of Virginia, born 1812. James Payne was a and moved to this county in 1831, where both he and Mrs. Payne closed their lives - the former January 13; 1874, the latter April 21, 1876, a member of the Baptist Church; thoy were parents of eight girls and four boys, all of whom lived to maturity. Mr. Payne was a Democrat, and served as Justice of the Peace and Township Assessor for more than twenty years. Solomon C. Payne lived mostly with a grandfather until he was sixteen years old, at which time war with Mexico was declared, and he, in common with many boys, desired to engage therein. His father finally consented, and our subject enlisted in Company D, Sixteenth Infantry, said company commanded by Capt. Richard Owens, the regiment by Col. John W. De Batts. About July, 1847, they reached Monterey, and did garrison duty until peace was proclaimed, the regiment being disbanded August 7, 1848. About 1850, Mr. Payne married, with an issue of two girls, from which mother he was afterward divorced, and about 1860 married Elizabeth Hathaway. In August, 1861, Mr. Payne enlisted for three years in Company I, Fiftyninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged June 14, 1865, since which date he has been variously employed, but mainly as a farmer. He has been ordained as a minister of the Baptist, and later of the Christian Church (New Light). He is a Democrat, has been Township Assessor, and is now a Justice of the Peace.

JOHN SEXTON, farmer, is a native of Greene County, Jnd., was born December 28, 1835, and is a son of James and Mary (Staton) Sexton, the former a native of Alabama, the latter of Kentucky. James Sexton was reared and attended school in Tennessee, whither he had gone at an early age, and when about twenty-one years of age removed to Kentucky, remained ten years; afterward came to Greene County, this State, and finally to this township, where he finished his earthly course in October, 1874. Mrs. Sexton is yet living at the age of eighty-four. She is, as Mr. Sexton was, a member of the Separate Baptist Church. John Sexton received but slight education, having been depended upon to assist the family in the work of the farm during his boyhood. Heremained at home, therefore, until he was twenty-six vears of age, about which period, September 19, 1861, he married Margaret J. Smith, a native of this county, a union which has been favored with two sons and one daughter. Sixteen years ago, Mr. Sexton purchased the farm where he now resides, and has become one of the representative men of the township. He is a Democrat in politics, and he and lady are worthy members of the Christian Church.

WILLIAM H. SHIELDS, farmer, was born in Bourbon County, Ky., March 7, 1819, and is a con of Joseph and Sarah (Masterson) Shields, also natives of Kentucky. Joseph Shields moved with his family to this county in 1835, where he purchased land and remained until death, April 5, 1841. He was exclusively a farmer, and, during the war of 1812, a teamster. Mrs. Shields was a member of the Separate Baptist Church, and left the earth October 31, 1880. William H. Shields received an ordinary education in Kentucky, and remained with and labored for his parents until January 12, 1842, when he married Mary Hudlan, to which nnion were born twelve children, of whom four sons and six daughters remain. He is a Democrat, and he and wife are honored members of the Separate Baptist Church.

Jonn W. Surextps, teacher, is a native of this township; was born February 15, 1863, bis parents being William H. and Mary Shields. He received a good public school education, makes his home with his parents, and a business of agriculture. For a few years past, he has been a teacher in the public schools, and is progressing satisfactorily. He is a Democrat and a promising young gentleman.

GEORGE W. WAMPLER, teacher, was born in this township July 4, 1849, and is a son of William and Julia (Sherrill) Wampler, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Kentucky, and respectively of Dutch and German-Irish descent. William Wampler was fairly educated at the public schools of this State, whither he came about 1830, and remained until 1874. He served eight months as a private during the rebellion, and has since, as before, made farming his occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Wampler are life-during members of the Baptist Church, and are at present living in Wright County, Mo. George W. Wampler remained at home until he was twenty-four yearsof age. March 13, 1873, he married Miss Julia C. Shields, a native of this county, a union which was honored with five children, two sons and three daughters. Mr. Wampler in his former life was a farmer, but is now in the profession of teaching. In politics, he is a Democrat, and at present holds the office of Township Assessor, with satisfaction to his constituents. He is one of the most influential men and most respected citizens of his township.

THOMAS JACKSON BATES, an old settler and farmer of Monroe County, was born in Tennessee May 7, 1820, and is the third of the five children born to Charles and Eda (McCollan) Bates, natives of Virginia and Kentucky respectively. The family came to Bloomington, this county, in 1830, remained a few months, then went to Illinois, but returned to Bloomington in 1832. December 13, 1840, Mr. Bates married Mary Hendrickson, daughter of Ezekiel and Susan (Walls) Hendrickson, and a native of Lawrence County. Two children, Charles D. and Ezekiel, were born to this marriage. Mrs. Bates died September 28, 1854, and on August 3, 1856, Mr. Bates married Eliza Smith, of Miami County, Ind., a native of Monroe County, and daughter of Hugh and Jane (Giddings) Corr. To this union have been born the following children: Thomas Jefferson, who was born May 20, 1857, in Miami County, and who married, February 26, 1883, Nettie Billings, of Daviess County, and daughter of Jesse and Sarah (Miller) Billings; Martha E. and Mary Jane (twins), Laura, Sarah, Maria and Hattie. Mr. Bates settled on his present farm in 1859, and is the owner of 180 acres; he was formerly 8 Granger, and in politics is a Democrat. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812; his wife's mother is an inmate of his home, and is in her ninety-seventh year; his wife's father, Hugh Corr, settled in Bloomington Township in 1821, and finally settled where Hindostan now stands, in Washington Township.

(Cunningham) Campbell, natives respectively of County Antrim and County Derry, Ireland, and of Scotch descent. The parents of our subject came to the United States in 1843, landed at New Orleans, came to this State, located near Bloomington, and remained until 1858, at which time he bought a farm. Here our subject remained until June, 1861, when he enlisted in Company F, Twenty-seventh Indiana Regiment, and was engaged at Winchester, Cedar Mountain, Antietam (where he was wounded in the right side), Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, where he received a wound in the left thigh) and Resaca (where his left arm was broken), which finished his service, being discharged September 13, 1864. June 24, 1866, he married Martha J., daughter of Robert and Angeline Williams. This union produced three children - Robert Henry, James Homer and Jobn Lewis; also, by adoption, John W. Maginnis. Mr. Campbell is the owner of seventy-four acres in Bloomington Townsbip, which is improved by a good residence, buildings, orchard, fences, ete. He is an active Republican, has served two terms as Township Trustee, and he and wife, like his father and mother, are members of the Presby terian Church. Mr. Campbell is a worthy and progressive citizen, and is a member of the G. A. R.

THOMAS J. FARR, farmer and stock-raiser, was born January 1, 1844, in Ray Township, this county, and is the sixth of twelve children born to Jefferson and Sarah (Miller) Farr, natives of Kentucky and of English descent. Thomas was reared to farming, but attended school during the winter seasons. April, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, Thirty-third Indiana Regiment, during which service he was promoted to bo Sergeant, and took part at Thompson's Station (where he was captured and afterward confined in Libby Prison for vineteon days), Murfreesboro, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta and the march to the sea; he was discharged May, 1865. March 20, 1866, he married Susan, daughter of Martin and Sarah Goble, to which union wers born six chil. dren - Howard, Sarah ©., Jefferson V., Thaettie, Julia A. and Willard N. (deceased March 15, 1883). Mr. Farr has a good farm of 540 acres, supplied with stock and well improved, making alike a comfortable home and valuable property, almost all of which is the result of his wise administration and honest industry, thus marking hjs life « success. He is a Republican in political faith and has served two terms as Township Trustee. Mrs. Farr is a member of the Baptist Church.

MAHLON HACKER is a native of Clay County, Ky., was born December 4, 1829, and is one of the family of Valentine and Mary (Spires) Hacker, natives of Tennessee; the former of German, the latter of Irish descent. Mahlon Hacker 'was reared on the farm and obtained but little schooling in his youthful days. When sixteen years of age, he left home and undertook his own living by working by the month or by the day. When a young man, he married Nancy Fulford, of this county, a union which was smiled upon by nine children, of whom seven are living - -F. T., Jonathan, Mary E. (now Mrs. McDonald), C. J., Florence M., Andrew W. and Isabel D. Mr. Hacker is the possessor of 120 acres and also a partner in a half section of timber land. August, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Sixty-seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and participated in the battles of Munfordville (when he was captured and paroled), and at Arkansas Post; he was discharged April, 1863, and reenlisted as a veteran in October, 1864, and was therefrom discharged May, 1865. Mr. Hacker is a worthy citizen; in politics, Republican, and he and wife are honored as members of the Baptist Church.

JOSEPH A. HADDEN was born in Washington Township, this county, March 1, 1854, and is the second of the five children born to Jacob and Jane (Martin) Hadden - the latter a native of North Carolina and of German and Irish origin. He was educated in the common schools, and assisted his mother in the management of the home farm until married, April 20, 1883, to Mrs. Mary A. Johnson, of Monroe County, a daughter of Michael and Rebecca (Barnett) Fleener. Mrs. Hadden owns 440 acres of and in a good state of cultivation and improved with a good residence and outbuildings. Mr. Hadden is proprietor of a firstclass saw mill, and also owns considerable live stock. In politics, he isa Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.

JAMES J. HUBBARD is a native of this county, was born May 28, 1838, and is the younest of the eleven children of John and Nancy ( Weddel) Hubbard; the former a native of North Carolina, the latter of Virginia, and respectively of German and English extraction. Our subject was reared on a farm and had but very spare advantages for education. He resided with his parents until October 7, 1859, at which period he married Indiana Twomey,of Brown County, which union was productive of five childron - Laura A., Elmira C., James A., William T. (deceased) and Virginia; Mrs. Hubbard died November, 1872: and October 10, 1873, he wedded Mary Jane Weddel, of this county, but a native of Kentucky, and by this union came into the world five children, of which number four are living - Belzora E., Mary E., Clara I. and Ada J. In 1863, Mr. Hubbard was in the servico at Indianapolis for three months. He has a good home and farm; has the respect of his community, and is in politics a member of the National party. He is a member of the Christian Church., and his wife of the Baptist Church.

THOMAS MAGENIS is a native of County Clare, Ireland, was born December 17, 1835, and is the sixth of the family of twelve of Timothy and Frances (Frost) Magenis, the former a native of County Down, the latter of County Clare, Ireland, and both of Scotch descent. Thomas was reared on a farm in Ireland, and when fourteen years of age his parents emigrated to America. After living in Goshen, N. Y., five years, he moved to this State in 1856, and settled in this township, where he labored by the month. March 23, 1861, he married Mary E., daughter of John and Rebecca Garrett. This union was smiled on by tive children - Emma (deceased), Maggie F., George W., Anna S. and Minnie E. August 7, 1861, Mr. Magenis enlisted in Company F, 'T'wenty-seventh Indiana Regiment, serving at the battles of Winchester, Cedar Mountain and Antietam (where he was wounded in the arm, leg and breast}. He was discharged September 1, 1864, and located for one year in Washington Township. In 1865, be moved to the farm he now occupies, comprising 188 acres of well-improved land, and containing comfortable residence, barns, orchard, etc. He also owns forty acres in Washington Township, all of which is alone due to his energy and tact. In 1864, he was elected Real Estate Appraiser of this county and township; Trustee in 1876, and was twice appointed Assessor. Mr. Magenis is a Democrat. and a member of the G. A. R.

JAMES P. RIDDLE, one of Monroe County's enterprising young farmers, was born in this township February 6, 1848, and is the youngest of the seven children born to G. M. and Margaret (Thomson) Riddle, natives of Kentucky. He was educated at the common schools, and assisted on the home farm unti) he was married, November 12, 1871, to

Eliza A. Fleener, of this county, and daughter of Michael and Rebecca (Barnett) Fleener. To his marriage have been born six children - W illiam, James H., Mintia May, Amanda E., John and Rebecca. Mr. Riddle is the owner of a farm of 190 acres, well improved, with a commodions residence, barn and other outbuildings, two orchards, ete., mostly acquired by his own perseverance and industry. He formerly was a member of the Grange, In polities, he is a Democrat, and he and his wife are members of the Baptist and Christian Churches respoctively.

JOHN M. TOMEY, farmer, was born in Augusta County, Va., April 17, 1834, and is the sixth of the twelve children born to Michael and Mary (Lockridge) Tomey, natives of Virginia, and of Scotch and German descent respectively. The family came to Indiana in 1835, and settled in Henry County. Three years later they moved to Brown County, and in 1870 came to this township, and bought the farm on Section J5, where John M. now lives. Mr. Tomey remained on the home farm until his marriage, March 30, 1856, to Catharine Prickitt, of Brown County, Ind., and a native of Ohio. She died July 13, 1873, the mother of five children - Josephus, Richard J., Elizabeth E., Mary H. and Julia A. - and a member of the Christian Church. November 16, 1874, Mr. Tomey miarried Mary C. Mann, also of Brown County, Ind., and a native of Ohio. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Twenty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was engaged at Antietam, Winchester, Cedar Mountain, Chancellorsville, second Bull Run, Gettysburg, Resaca and Peach Tree Creek, and was discharged the evening before the fall of Atlanta, in August, 1864, as Corporal. He has served as Justice of the Peace, is a Republican, a Granger, a member of the G. A. R., and the owner of 216 acres of good land.

WILLIAM E. WHITESELL, farmer, is a native of Bloomington, Ind., was born July 17, 1833, and is the eighth of the fifteen children of Peter and Elizabeth (Akens) Whitesell, natives of Kentucky and Virginia respectively. Peter Whitesell moved to this county about the year 1824, and settled near Bloomington, where he entered land. William E. Whitesell was reared on a farm, and attended school for about six months. When about eighteen years old, he moved to Illinois for a time, where he began to work for himself. June 12, 1858, he married Eliza A. Matlock, of this county, which union gave being to five children, two of whom are living. September, 1864, he enlisted in the volunteer service, was on duty at Indianapolis, and was discharged May, 1865. He afterward came to this county and purchased 195 acres, some of which was improved. He now owns 225 acres, which constitutes a good home and farm. Mr. Whitesell has served for one term as Township Trustee, and is in political classification a Democrat. He is an upright, liberal citizen, and one generally esteemed and trusted.