Steuben Township (part 1 of 2)

Steuben Township

Steuben Township is in the southern tier of the county, and is bounded as follows: On the north by Pleasant, on the east by Otsego, on the south by the county of De Kalb, and on the west by Salem. It is six miles north and south by nearly the same distance east and west, and therefore contains nearly 36 sections, or nearly 23,000 acres. The township is drained by Pigeon Creek, which flows from east to west irregularly through the northern part, connecting several lakes. The village of Pleasant Lake is on section 15, between Long and Pleasant lakes, the former of which lies on sections 15 and 16, and the latter on 14, 15, 22 and 23. There are a number of other bodies of water, the most important of which are Golden Lake, on sections 6, 5 and 8, and Goose JS^eck Lake, on sections 23 and 24. The Fort Wayne & Jackson branch of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad crosses the township north and south.

Steuben was first settled in 1835. Seth W. Murray, Isaac Glover, Alexander C. Britton, Reuben Warwick, James Forbes, Daniel Cummings, and perhaps one or two others being the pioneers. In the following year there came Abner Winsor, Jonas Carter, James Perfect, Lewis Carter, John W. Carter and Samuel Carter. The last-named gentleman entered his land on the 1st of August in the same year. Gideon Ball enterea land in 1835, and moved into the township the following year, but in a few months settled permanently in Otsego Township. Wooster McMillen also entered land in 1835 and settled in 1836. During the next three years a num- ber of settlers came in, among whom should be mentioned Sylvanus B. George, Theophilus Jackson, Eber Thayer, Chauncey Clark, Orsemus V. Barnard, O. Smith, M. Bowen, A. P. Clark, A. Beach, Chard, A. and J. Miller, James Long, G. B. Mason, Alanson Abbey, H. Frink, Justin Darling, Hiram Niles, E,. Loomis, Thomas Lacey, J. Allison, F. Forbes and Lucius Crane.

The first log house was built in 1835, on section 15, The first frame dwellinsc was erected bv Seth W. Murray in 1836. The first school-house was built in 1836, on section 10, in the then village of Steubenville. Lucy Avery was the first teacher. Abner Winsor and Seth W. Murray put out the first orchards in the spring of 1836.

Steubenville, which was platted in November, 1835, was the competitor of Angola for the location of the county seat, early in 1837, Glover, "Winsor and others endeavoring unsuccessfully to have the county buildings in their town. Steubenville was situated not far from the present village of Pleasant Lake. When the county seat was located at Angola, in 1837, Steubenville commenced declining, and was never destined to fulfill the expectations of its pioneer proprietors .

Another Steubenville was laid out March 10, 1873, on section 34, township 36, range 13, by Daniel Till and Samuel Teeters. It was started when the Canada Southern Railroad was surveyed, and was located at the crossing of that road and the Fort Wayne & Jackson Eailroad, but since the former road failed to be built it has rapidly declined.

The village of Pleasant Lake was laid out by William Thompson and Sheldon X. Ball in 1870, on section 15, and an addition has since been made by David S. Gilbert. Within the past few years Pleasant Lake has achieved celebrity as a summer resort, on account of the beautiful sheet of water from which the village derived its name. The inhabitants of the village and township are exceedingly enterprising, and constantly doing all they can toward developing the resources of the country, which many of them knew when it was a wilderness. Here, in their youthful days, they made their homes, and they do not propose to move away now that old age is creeping on apace. But few of the very early pioneers are left, many having died, and the restless ones long since followed the star of empire in her westward course, and their children are amjng the citizens who inhabit the prairies of Nebraska and Kansas. Of the first settlers, Sylvanus B. George, Abner Winsor and Omer Clark, are yet left.

The Congregational society was organized iu January, 1879, by Kev. John Y. Hickmott, who acted as pastor for some time, services being held in the church building which has likewise been used by the Methodists and Universalists. Since Mr. Hickmott's time the society has had no regular services.

The Methodists have a growing society, under the pastorate of Kev. I. M. Wolverton, of Angola. The society now numbers between thirty and forty members.

The Baptists organized a church about 1850, under the lead of Elder Byron. Among its leading members were Deacon L. Colton and wife, Justin Darling and wife, John Meserve and wife, Truman Meserve and wife, Mr. Holmanand wife. Among those who have preached at Pleasant Lake are Elders William Conley, William Lacy, W. N. Welker,T. 0. Briggs,S. B. Ward, Lyman Colton, J. P. Jones, J. Ward and Mr. Finch. The society now has about fifty members.

The Universalist society was organized about 1870, among the prominent members being S. B. George, A. B. Knapp, M. R. Knapp, Samuel Carter, James Carter, George W. Clawson, Yolney E. Simmons, J. C. Simmons, D. W. Gaylord, A. F. Huffman and their wives. They built a frame church about 1874, at a cost of $3,500, which is now used by any denomination which desires to hold services. Rev. M. Crary, now of Defiance, Ohio, preached here from 1856 to 1871:. Then Rev. John Binns, from Fayette, Ohio, preached two years, since when the society has had no regular services. Sylvan us B. George has been a Trustee of the church since its construction. The first board contained, besides him, A. B. Knapp and Yolney E. Simmons. The present Trustees are S. B. George and A. F. Hoffman.

The population of Steuben Township was in 1870, 1,253; in 1880, 1,657 - an increase of 404. The population is now equal to forty-seven per square mile.

The following leading crop statistics are for the last census year - 1880: Acres of wheat sown, 3,795; average yield per acre, 18 bushels; total crop, 68,310 bushels; acres of corn, 2,128; averao-e yield per acre, 37 bushels; total crop, 78,736 bushels; acres of oats, 784; average yield per acre, 28 bushels; total crop, 21 952 bushels; acres of meadow, 507; average yield of hay per acre one and a half tons, total crop, 760 tons; acres in potatoes, 136- average yield per acre, 80 bushels; total crop, 10,880 bushels.

In 1884 the number of acres of land assessed was 20,325.94* value of same, $284,740; value of improvements, $93,210; value of personal property, $81,510; total valuation, $459,460; number of polls, 326; number of dogs, 125; total taxes levied, $10,298,26. As property is assessed on a basis of one-third, the above would indicate a total wealth of $1,378,380.

In politics, Steuben was strongly Whig until the death of that party, since when it has given its unquestioned allegiance to the Republican party. It is the strongest Republican township in the county. The smallest plurality given in a presidential year was in 1840, eight for Harrison; and the largest was in 1876 172 for Hayes. The following statement of the presidential vote shows the political complexion of the township at each presidential election, and also gives an idea of the steady growth in population:

The following are the names of those elected to office in the township since 1850, so far as obtainable, with the years in which they were respectively chosen:

Justices of the Peace. - 1853, James Carter, 1855, Daniel Smitli; 1857, James Carter and Leonard Slabaugh; 1858, David Gilbert; 1860, James Carter; 1862, David Gilbert; 1865, True W. Meserve; 1866, Timothy M. Albee; 1870, Timothy JM. Albee and Henry B. Dodge; 1874, David S. Gilbert and Henry B. Dodge; 1876, Myron Tuttle; 1878, Joseph Ketchum; 1880, James Ketchum and H. P. Dodge; 1882, Hiram Oberlin and Joseph Ketchum; 1884, Henry B. Dodge.

S. B. George, Sr., and S. B. George, Jr.; 1863, Lemmon Tuttle and George Woodworth; 1864, George Morley and Lemmon Tuttle; 1865, Dorman Carpenter and Jonas Hagenbaugh; 1866, George Scott and Edward Smith; 1868, Robert Moore and Henry Crampton; 1869, Henry Thompson and Irving Knight; 1870, Henry Thompson and Morgan Swihart; 1872, Theodore F. Tuttle; 1874, Theodore F. Tuttle; 1878, George Murray and G. L. Balcher; 1880, I. D. Smith, Henry Wilcox and Barney Brown; 1882, Isaiah Smith, Daniel Homing and Charles Dunlap; 1884, Charles Miller and David Heraing.

Biographical

Jacob D. Abbey ^ section 26, Steuben Township, was born in York Township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, Oct. 16, 1823, a son of Alanson and Lucy (Daggett) Abbey. Alanson Abbey was born in JN'aples, Ontario Co., N. Y., in 1792. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and participated in the battle ofQueenstown. He was married in New York, and in 1819 removed with his wife to Sandusky County, Ohio, where they lived till the fall of 1838, when they moved to Steuben County, Ind., and settled on section 22, Steuben Township, on land he had entered two years before. He partially improved his land, built a large log house, and set out an orchard. In 1843 he sold the place to Jared H. Miner, a Free-Will Baptist minister of Otsego Township, and returned to the State of ]^ew York, remaining there two years. He came again to Steuben County and lived several years at the head of Pleasant Lake; then bought eighty acres of land on section 34, but snbsequentlv returned to Pleasant Lake. He afterward went to Kansas, where he lived three years, and then returned to Indiana and lived with his son, Jacob D., till his death, March 22, 1877. His wife died in Steuben Township in 1839. They had a family of ten children, six of whom grew to maturity, viz.: Henrietta, widow of Henry Bixler; Jacob D. ; Nancy, wife of Chauncey Gilbert, who removed to Kansas in 1862; Giles T., of Waterloo; George J., of Kansas; Minerva, who died in 1869. Jacob D., the only representative of the family now living in Steuben County, was married in 1848 to Eliza A. Gilbert, daughter of Bela and Anna Gilbert. They have two daughters - Rosalthe, wife of John Renner, and Jannette. Their only son, Orrin, died March 16, 1871, aged seventeen years. Aug. 11, 1862, Mr. Abbey enlisted in Company H, Seventy-fourth Indiana Infantry, and served till the close of the war. From 1848 till 1856 Mr. Abbey lived on the farm of his father on section 22. In 1856 he bought and located on his present farm. He owns 120 acres of valuable land, with good improvements, all made by himself. He is one of the representative farmers of the township, and a highly respected citizen. In politics he is a Republican.

Eugene S. Aldrich is a son of Colonel Simeon C. Aldrich, one of the early settlers of Steuben County. Simeon C. Aldrich was born in Rockingham, Yt., Oct. 14, 1816, and came to Steuben County in 1844. He was a tailor by trade and opened a shop in Angola. Soon after the discovery of gold in Calitbrnia he crossed the plains and was absent two years. Returning to Angola he engaged in the mercantile business and served one term as Sheriff of Steuben County. He made a second trip to California, returning to Indiana about the time of the breaking out of the Rebellion. In 1861 he, with Captain Parks, of Auburn, De Kalb County, vrere chiefly instrumental in raising Company K, Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry. He was elected First Lieutenant, and soon after promoted to Captain. In November, 1862, he was promoted to Lieutenant- Colonel and commanded the regiment at the battle of Chickamauga, where he displayed great courage and efficiency. After this battle he was made Rrovost-Marshal of Chattanooga, filling the position till the regiment re-enlisted, when he accompanied the veterans home. He returned with them to Chattanooga, and continued in command till August, 1863, when he was granted a leave of absence on account of ill health. A few days after reaching home he was suddenly taken worse and died Aug. 14, 1863. He was commissioned Colonel July 27, but owing to the reduced number in the regiment was not mustered in as such. Colonel Aldrich was twice married. First, Dec. 23, 1838, to Polly A. Jackson, who was bornin Livingston County, N. Y., Sept. 16, 1816. She died Jan. 29, 1852, leaving three children - Eugene S., Helen J. and Addison Umphrey. A daughter, Emma L., born June 13, 1850, died in infancy. Helen J. married Charles Tyler, and died Jan. 10, 1879. Addison died Nov. 12, 1863. June 23, 1852, he married Melissa Knapp, now a resident of Hillsdale, Mich. Their children are - Il^ellie, of Toledo; Luln, wife of William Feigel, of Hillsdale, Mich., and Charles C, in Mexico. Eugene S. Aldrich was born in Warsaw, Wyoming Co., N. Y., in 1842. He enlisted in 1861, in Company K, Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry, and served three years. He enlisted as a private, but on the organization of the company was made Third Duty-Sergeant. Nov. 27, 1862, he was promoted to Second Lieutenant, and April 17, 1863, to First Lieutenant. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and many others of less importance. With the exception of three years spent in Ohio he has lived in Pleasant Lake since the close of the war. Mr. Aldrich has been twice married. His first wife, Lucy, daughter of Lansing Knapp, died April 14, 1869. Their only child - Simeon A., died Oct. 25, 1871. His present wife was Addie C. Carver, a native of Sandusky County, Ohio, born in 1841, a daughter of Amos Carver. They have one daughter - Josie, born June 17, 1872. Mr. Aldrich owns a valuable farm of 100 acres on the south side of Pleasant Lake.

Julius Ball resides in section 21, Steuben Township, on land entered by his father, Gideon Ball, in 1836. He was born in Ontario County, N. Y., Sept, 30, 1820, and was sixteen years of age when he came to Steuben County. His farm originally contained 160 acres, but to this he has added forty acres, and now has one of the finest farms in the township. He is one of the few representatives living of the pioneers of 1836. He was married in 1859 to Lucy A. Tattle, a native of Sandusky County, Ohio, born Sept. 9, 1829. They have three children - Charles Ford, Gideon Grant and Carl Claude. Mrs. Ball's parentSjYan Rensselaer and Patience (Powell) Tuttle. Her father was born in Mount Morris, Livingston Co., N. Y., in 1789, and removed to Pennsylvania. He was married in 1812. About 1825 he moved to Ohio, and in 1869 to Steuben County, Ind., to live near his children. He died Jan. 17, 1870, and his wife in 1877. They had a family of twelve children, all of whom lived to maturity. Mr. Ball is the owner of the beautiful park at Pleasant Lake, Ind.

Augustus V. Ball, farmer, section 23, Steuben Township, is a representative citizen and pioneer of the county. His father, Gideon Ball, was born in Granville, Mass., Dec. 27, 1785, and when a child removed to Eastern New York with his parents, locating at the mouth of Catskill Creek, on the Hudson River, and subsequently to Ontario County, where he married Lydia Dodge, who was born in Wiscasset, Me., July 6, 1794, and removed with her parents to Ontario County when a child. In 1832 Mr. Ball moved to Sandusky County, Ohio. In 1835 he came to Steuben County, Ind., and entered about 900 acres of land in Otsego and Steuben townships, and moved his family to the county May 20, 1836. He engaged for a number of years in buying and selling land, and his investments were in the main successful, and he acquired a competency. He died in July, 1870. His children were eight in number, all, save the youngest, born in New York, viz.: Sheldon, Augustus Y., Julius, Edwin, Frank, Charlotte, Demia and Emeline. Sheldon was born Jan. 25, 1815, and when fifteen years of age went to Canandaigua to learn the jeweler's trade. When twentyone he went to Virginia, where he taught school and became acquainted with and married Emma Lee. He died Jan. 20, 1877, leaving two children, a son and daughter, who are with their mother in New York City. Edwin, died at the age of seventeen years; Charlotte married Chester Ladd, and died while her husband was serving in the war of the Rebellion. He died soon after in the hospital at Washington. They left two daughters, who are now living in Chicago, 111. Demia married Oscar Swift, and died several years ago. Emeline died when five years of age. Augustus V. Ball was born in Ontario County, N. Y., May 24, 1818. The first farm he purchased was in De Kalb Count}', on which he lived several years, atid which he still owns. In 1859 he embarked in the mercantile business at Pleasant Lake, continuing till 1865. In February, 1866, he moved to the farm where he now lives, which contains 212 acres of valuable land. He also owns village property in Pleasant Lake. Mr. Ball married Emeline Stetler, daughter of William Stetler. They have three children - Edwin, Theda and Dora.

Samuel Barr is a son of James Barr, who settled in Scott Township in 1846, on a tract of unimproved land for which he had exchanged property in Ohio. James Barr was born in Center County, Pa., and married Elizabeth Thompson, of Fairfield County, Ohio, .and soon after moved to Richland County, Ohio, where he remained till his removal to Steuben County, Ind., in 1846. His family consisted of five children. The eldest son, Benjamin, died in Michigan. Sarah, James, Mary and Samuel reside in Steuben County. The parents are both deceased. Samuel Barr was born in Richland County in 1841. With the exception of two years he has lived in Steuben County, Ind., since 1846, living on the farm with his parents till twenty-fonr years of age. He married Emily Huntley, a native of Ohio, daughter of Elijah Hnntlej'. Since 187^ lie has been living in Pleasant Lake, engaged in the wine and liquor business. He conducts his business in a conscientious, legitimate manner. He keeps the best qualities of liquors; no minors are allowed in his store; no chairs nor benches are found for the accommodation of loungers; no gossiping idlers nor games of chance with cards, dice, etc., are allowed, and no man is permitted to become intoxicated on his premises. He possesses strong principle, nerve and will-power, and is never imposed upon by the rougher element of society. Mr. Barr is a highly esteemed citizen of Pleasant Lake.

George Brooks is one of the few early settlers living who date their coming to the county as early as 1837. He was born in Derbyshire, England, July 8, 1824. In 1830 his parents came to the United States and settled in Farmington, Ontario Co., N. Y., where they lived seven years, and then, in the fall of 1837, moved to Steuben County, Ind., and settled in York Township, on section 36. His parents were George and Elizabeth Brooks. This land was entered for Mr. Brooks by Clark Powers, in the spring of 1837. After it was improved he sold it to his eldest son, William, who still owns and occupies it, and bought a farm across the township line in Kichland, on which is located the south ])art of the town of Metz, where he lived till his death, Oct. 6, 1853. His wife died twenty years later in Michigan. They had a family of nine children - Ann, in Lagrange County; Martha, deceased; William of York Township; George, Jr.; Thomas, of York Township; Henry died while in the service of his country during the Rebellion; Samuel, of Otsego Township; Robert, of Branch County, Mich.; Francis, also a soldier, died while in the army. George Brooks, our subject, came to Steuben County in the spring of 1837, with Clark Powers, with whom he lived a number of years. He walked the entire distance from New York to Steuben Connty, and assisted in driving a number of cows and young stock, being about ten weeks in making the journey. He worked by the month for Mr. Powers and others, and when twenty-one years old held the deed for eighty acres of land and owned a fine young horse, all the result of his own labors. When twenty-three years of age he married Jane Burk, daughter of Eli Burk, and settled on his land. After improving it he exchanged it for a farm on section 31, where he lived till 1868, when he bought the farm on section 24, Steuben Township, where he nowlives, which contains 200 acres of valuable land. Mr. und Mrs. Brooks have had four children, three of whom are living - Cornelia, widow of Adhill Leramon; George, of Cherokee County, Kas., and Ernest, on the homestead. Andrew, their eldest son, died Nuv. 7, 1884, aged thirty-three years.

Samuel Carter^ of Steuben Township, is one of the few remaining settlers of 1836. He is a son of Jonas Carter, who came here with his family from Delaware Countj', Ohio, in July, 1837. Jonas Carter was a native of Worcester County, Mass.. where he was born in June, 1767. When a young man he started out from home, going to Luzerne County, Pa., where he bouglit considerable land, on which he located and resided for a number of years, and married there. Eight of his nine children were also born there. His wife was Catherine Wheeler, a native of New Jersey, born in 1774. She removed with her parents to Pennsylvania soon after the massacre of Wyoming. Jonas Carter removed with his family to Delaware County, Ohio, in November, 1815, for the second time entering upon a pioneer life. He was one of the earliest settlers of that county. Here he improved a farm, and here the children grew to manhood and womanhood. The first members of the family to enter land in Steuben County were two sons, Lewis and John, who, in October, 1835, entered several hundred acres of land, comprising parts of sections 13, 24 and 25. They returned to Ohio that fall. John came back with his family in the fall of 1836, having erected a log house in July of that year for the accommodation of his family, on section 24. Lewis, who also had a family, accompanied bis father and family to the township for a permanent settlement in July, 1837. The father, Jonas, settled where his son Samuel nowlives, moving into a log cabin which Samuel had built during the preceding winter. Jonas Carter resided in this log cabin till his death, which occurred in November, 1842. His wife died from the effects of a fall into the cellar while at Hie house of her son-in-law, Mr. Jackson, in 1853. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Carter were - Sarah, wife of John Curtis, of Delaware County, Ohio, where she died in September, 1869; Rufus died in Delaware County, Ohio; Lewis died in Steuben Township in 1850; Abigail died in Ohio; John N. died suddenly on the cars, while away from his home at Angola; Jonas died in Wood County, Ohio; James died in Steuben Towr.- ship, in April, 1881 ; Samuel, and Mary Ann, wife of T. Jackson. Samuel Carter was born in Luzerne County, Pa., June 27, 1814.

He first came to Steuben County in June, 1835, came permanently in 1836, and in that year entered about 620 acres of land in this township. He worked his father's farm till the death of the latter when he located on a part of the land which he had entered, and where he lived four years and then returned to the homestead. He married Sarah A. Frink, daughter of Selah Frink, also one of the pioneers of Steuben County. Mrs. Carter died in April, 1873. Mr. Samuel Carter has three children - Mary L., Sarah and Charles. He has lost three children - Lucy J., Ellen, and Celestia, wife of J. B. Lemraon.

Fi'dnk II. Chadwick is the junior member and business manager of the firm Chadwick & Co., general merchants and produce dealers, Pleasant Lake. This business was established in April, 1876. Mr. Chadwick's partner, H. Linder, is a resident of Angola. Their building is a two-story and basement brick, 25 x 90 feet, with an L 20 X 30 feet in size. They carry a stock of about $15,000, consisting of dry goods, clothing, carpets, boots and shoes, groceries, etc. The salesroom comprises the entire main floor and is presided over by Mr. Chadwick and his gentlemanly clerks, L. R. Weaver, Hampton Miller and C. V. Tuttle. The second floor is the clothing and carpet room. The basement is under the entire building and is large and commodious. They buy all kinds of produce and have suitable buildings for the accommodation of this branch of their business. The store is a model of neatness and the business is carried on in a systematic and successful manner. Mr. Chadwick is a young man of fine business ability. He was born in Jamestown Township, Steuben County, in October, 1854. He is a son of John Chadwick, a native of Licking County, Ohio, born in 1825, who came to Steuben County in 1847, settling in Jamestown Township. He afterward moved to Clear Lake Township where he improved a farm; later moved to Pleasant Township, and still later bought what is known as the old Britton farm, in Steuben Township. He afterward moved to Branch County, Mich., and in 1874 to Kansas, and settled near Topeka, where he now lives. Frank H. was reared and educated in his native county. When eighteen years of age he began to work for Scoville & Latson, remaining with them three years, and in 1876 came to Pleasant Lake. He was married in October, 1876, to Arietta Snyder, daughter of John Snyder. They have one son - Gruy.

with his parents to Ohio and settled in Stark County, where his father died. He was reared a fanner, and followed that vocation in Ohio till 1854 when he came to Steuben County, Ind., and bought the farm on section 31, Stenben Township, of Henry Hecklethorne, where he has since lived. The only improvements on his land were a small log house and a few acres cleared. He has improved the farm and erected good buildings, and now has one of the most valuable farms in the township. He owns sixty acres of choice land which is well adapted to raising small grains. Mr. Charlton has been twice married. His first wife was Nancy Teeters. His present wife was Mrs. Elizabeth (Teeters) Jennings. They have one daughter - Martha, wife of William Greenamyer, of Salem Township.

Johti Clink was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, in April, 1836, a son of George Clink, a native of Germany, who came to the United States when twelve years of age and settled in Pennsylvania, and subsequently settled in Sandusky County. He married Catherine Smith, also a native of German}', remaining in Sandusky County till their death. In the spring of 1855 John Clink came to Steuben County, Ind. In 1860 he bought eighty acres of land on section 36, Steuben Township, forty acres of which were improved, on which was a log cabin and a log barn. He now has sixty-five acres improved and in 1867 he built a large and commodious barn. . In 1873 he built his residence, which is one of the best in the township. He has set out an orchard and now has fifty bearing apple-trees, and cherry and peach trees, and small fruit of different varieties. He is one of the most successful farmers of the township, and an infl.uential and public spirited citizen. He married Libbie Hitter, a daughter of Henry Ritter, of this township. Tliey have seven children - George H., Ezra E., Charles li., Clara B., Cora E., David F. and Frederick J.

George W. Closson, farmer, section 36, Steuben Township, was born in Genoa Township, Delaware Co., Ohio, Jan. 8, 1816, and remained in his native county till 1852. He was married in Ohio, to Bertha Thornton Weeks, a native of that State, born in 1819. While a resident of Ohio Mr. Closson bought eighty acres of land in Steuben Township, forty of which were on section 36 and forty on section 35. A log cabin had been built and a small patch cleared for a garden. The timber had been cut from about seven acres, but the stumps had not been removed. In the fall of 1852 Mr. Closson moved his family to their new home. They lived in their log cabin till 3869, when he built his present residence. About two years later he set out an orchard of about three acres. In 1862 he bought an addition to his farm, joining Washington McConnell on the south, and now owns 160 acres of fine land. He owns forty-five acres of land in Otsego Township, where his father, John Closson, settled in 1852, remaining there till his death. Mr. and Mrs. Closson have four children - Edgar W., Mary A., J. C. and Bertha M. Two children, Adelaide and an infant son, are deceased. Mr. Closson is one of the successful farmers of Steuben Township, and a representative citizen.

William Cramptoti resides on section 27, Steuben Township, where he settled Jan. 1, 1851. He was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1817, and was there reared and married Mary Oldfield. In 1849 he came to the United States without his family, and the following fall located land in Steuben County, Ind. In 1850 he sent for his family and they lived near Angola till the first of January, 1851, when they moved to their new home. He bought forty acres of wild land of Judge Thomas Gale, of Angola. He was a poor man and had not money enough to pay for his first forty acres. He has been a good manager, and industrious, and has added to his first purchase till he now owns one of the finest farms in the township, and is one of the representative and influential citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Crampton have six children - Henry, John, William, Herbert, Jesse and Mattie. The sons are all married and have farms near the old homestead. John Crampton, the second son, was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1841. He has lived in Steuben County since 1850, with the exception of two years in De Kalb County and one year's absence in the army . He enlisted Oct. 1, 1864, in CompanyA, Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry, and served till the close of the war. He married Amelia Shaver, daughter of Franklin Shaver, who settled in Steuben Township April 17, 1851. He resides on section 33 where he has 120 acres, 100 acres of which are improved. In the summer of 1883 he built a fine brick residence and a good commodious barn. He is one of the representative farmers of the township.

Hiram Croxton, section 11, Steuben Township, bought his farm of 250 acres of Horatio Roby, Feb. 3, 1863. He has made several important improvements to the farm, building in 1872 a beautiful residence. He has erected a fine horse barn, and several minor farm buildings. His location is one of the best in the township, and his farm is productive and valuable. Mr. Croxton was born in Cares 1 - roll County, Ohio, in 1824, whence he moved to Monroeville, Jefferson Co., Ohio, where he lived ten years. From Monroeville he removed to Salineville, Columbiana Co., Ohio, and in 1863 moved to Steuben County, Ind. "While at Salineville he was engaged in the furniture business, and for three years was Mayor of the town, and four years President of the Board of Education. In 1870 he erected the depot at Pleasant Lake and was station agent eight years, the first agent in the place. Mr. Croxton was married in 1847 to Martha Thompson, a native of Beaver County, Pa., born in 1827, a daughter of John and Massa Thompson, who removed from Pennsylvania to Columbiana County, Ohio, and thence to Mahoning County, where they died. Mr. and Mrs. Croxton have four children - John, Elvira, Worthy and Emmet. They have lost three children since their residence in Indiana - Allie died at the age of twenty-three years, Willie aged sixteen years, and Ettie aged four years. In politics Mr. Croxton was originally a Democrat, but since its organization has affiliated with the Republican party.

Aaron Deller was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1848. His father, Nicholas Deller, was born in Switzerland in 1818, and came to the United States with his parents when nine years of age. They settled in Butler Township, Columbiana Co., Ohio, where he grew to manhood. Hisfatherdiedontheoldhomesteadin Ohio. His mother subsequently came to Steuben County, where she died at the age of eighty-three years. Nicholas Deller married Lydia liedman who died in 1848 leaving three children - George H., John A. and Aaron. Two children died before the mother. Mr, Deller married for his second wife Mary Ann Fetterhofi. To them were born six children; five are living - Serena, Loretta, I. D., Thompson and Perry N. In 1851 the family moved to Steuben County, Ind., and settled on section 8, Steuben Township, where the father died June 21, 1874. A few acres had been cleared and a small log house built, but with this exception the land was timbered. The farm now comtains 160 acres of valuable land, and the residence and farm buildings are among the best in the township. Aaron Deller came with his father to Steuben County and was reared and educated in this township. He has always lived on the old homestead, and has since his father's death had charge of the farm. He was married Nov. 1, 1868, to Mary M. Ritter, daughter of Philip Ritter, of Steuben Township. They have five children - Estella, Laura, Mattie, Bertha and Howard Aaron.

Ira A. Gardner is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Steuben County. His father, Ira M. Gardner, was born near Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., in 1810, and when a boy moved with his parents to Sandusky County, Ohio. He was reared a farmer and followed that vocation tlie greater part of his life. He was married in Ohio to Sally F. Knapp, who was born in Rochester, N. Y., ill 1819. In 1843 tliey moved to Steuben County and settled on section 23, Steuben Township, where they lived many years, when they moved to the village of Pleasant Lake. Mrs. Gardner died May 25, 1876, and Mr. Gardner March 4, 1882. They had a family of five children - Delora, wife of Thomas Hendrickson; Ira A. ; Elisha, who enlisted in December, 1863, in the Seventy-fourth Indiana Infantry, and died in the hospital at Chattanooga, June 26, 1864; Laura died at the age of six years; Lovica C. is the wife of Warren Fisk. Ira A. Gardner was born in Sandusky, Ohio, July 8, 1843, and came to Steuben County with his parents. He enlisted in 1861 in the Eleventh Michigan Infantry, but on account of sickness was discharged before going into service. In February, 1864, he enlisted in the Seventy-fourth Indiana Infantry and served till the close of the war. He was married to Aurilla J. Hart. They have four children - Laura K., Ira M., Bertha L. and Elisha M;

David W. Gaylord has been a resident of Steuben Township since Oct. 13, 1852, when he purchased a farm of eighty acres, on section 35, of James Perfect. A log cabin and a log stable had been built, and a few acres had been cleared of timber. Mr. Gaylord cleared his land and made extensive improvements. In 1863-'4 he built a fine residence and set out an orchard and vineyard. He was very successful in the culture of grapes and fruit, realizing greater profits from this industry than from the raising of grain. In 1878 he sold his farm to his son-in-law, G. W. Gilbert, and now lives on a farm adjoining. Mr. Gaylord was born in Luzerne County, Pa., in 1806, and in 1814 removed with his parents, Eleazer and Jemima (Wheeler) Gaylord, to Delaware County, Ohio, then a new, unsettled country. His father entered land and made a farm, residing there till death. Mr. Gaylord was married in Delaware County, in 1841, to Jane Searle, daughter of Miner and Sarah (Brown) Searle, and a native of Luzerne County, Pa., born in 1816. Her father was a native of Connecticut and her mother of Pennsylvania. They were early settlers of Luzerne County, and later moved to Delaware County. Her father died in July, 1820, while engaged in surveying the State of Ohio. Her mother accompanied her to Indiana, and died in September, 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Gajlord have had three children, two of whom were born in Ohio and one in Steuben County - Henry D. is a resident of Otsego Township; Caroline is the wife of Joseph Woodhull, of Angola; Sarah is the wife of George W. Gilbert, and lives on the old homestead. Mr. Gaylord was a Democrat in his early life and cast his first Presidential vote for General Jackson. Later he was a Whig, and since its organization he has affiliated with the Kepublican party.

Capt. Sylvanus B. George, the present Postmaster at Pleasant Lake, is one of the pioneers of Steuben County. He was born in Livonia, Livingston Co., N. Y., April 14, 1815. He removed in February, 1818, with his parents, Elnathan and Lydia (Haven) George, to Bellevue, Ohio, where his mother died. His father died in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, where he was engaged as a contractor in theconstructionof the Cleveland Canal, in October, 1830. Captain George was reared to the occupation of farming. He has been a resident of Steuben County since 1840. In 1849 he went over land to California, being about seven months on the route, traveling in a company of about sixty men. He was engaged while there in mining and trade. He returned in October, 1855, and has been a resident of this township since that time. Has lived at Pleasant Lake since October, 1875. He enlisted in August, 1862, in the Seventy-fourth Indiana Infantry. He raised Company H of that regiment and on its organization was elected Captain. Commanded the company for fourteen months, when ill health compelled him to resign. He participated in the battle of Muldraugh Hill, in Kentucky, the Confederates at that battle being commanded by General John Morgan; took part in the terrible battle of Chickamauga on Sept. 19 and 20, 1863. In 1864 he was elected Sheriff of Steuben County, and served four years. Was appointed Postmaster at Pleasant Lake, in October, 1879, being engaged in farming in the interval between serving as Sheriff and his appointment as Postmaster. He married Maria Perfect, a daughter of James Perfect, also one of Steuben's pioneers. James Perfect was born near Lexington, Ky., in 1795. He removed to Ohio with his parents about 1810, and there grew to manhood and married Sally Gaylord, who was born in Lnzerne County, Pa,, in 1799, and removed to Ohio with her parents when she was fifteen years old. Mr. Perfect came to Steuben County with his family in October, 1836, and settled in Steuben Township, where he lived till his death in 1856. He was a soldier in the army of 1812. The circumstances attending his death have never become known. He was on his way to Iowa with John Carter, of this township, for the purpose of locating land. He took passage on a steamboat at Dubuque for Mc Gregor, Iowa, from which place they intended to continue West; while making this passaaje, Mr. Perfect suddenly disappeared in the night, and has never been heard of since. It is supposed that he fell overboard and was drowned. His v;ife died in April, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Perfect had eight children, four sons and four daughters, all of whom grew to maturity. Of the family, only three sisters are living. Hannah, wife of David Murray, of Pleasant Lake; Sophronia, wife of J. M. Forward, of Omaha, Neb., and Mrs. George, who was born in Marion County, Ohio, 1821. Mr. and Mrs. George have two children - Amanda E., wife of Mortimer Knapp, of Kansas, and William H. Their eldest son, James A., was born in 1847; he enlisted in 1863 in the same regiment with his father. After the return of the latter, he marched with Sherman to the sea. He died in 1870, at home. Captain George is one of the prominent and respected citizens of Pleasant Lake, and a worthy representative of Steuben's pioneers.

David S. Gilbert is one of the representative pioneers of Steuben County. He is a son of Samuel and Fanny (Crawford) Gilbert, who came with their family to the county March 19, 1842. Samuel Gilbert was a native of Genesee County, N. Y., born in 1799, and married Fanny Crawford, a native of Vermont. They moved from New \ork to Lorain County, Ohio, and thence to Steuben County. Their family consisted of seven children; fonr are now living - Chauncey, in Kansas; John is deceased; David S. ; Lucy, widow of Calvin Powers; Lester, of Pleasant Lake; Miles died in Indianapolis, while in the service of the United States, during the war; Cornelius, also a soldier, died at Gallatin, Tenn., in 1862. Samuel Gilbert settled on the northeast quarter of section 20, Steuben Township, where he bought 320 acres of wild land which, with the assistance of his sons, he converted into a fine farm. In 1862, although sixty-three years of age, he made arrangements to enter the Union army. He enlisted and went to Fort Wayne to be mustered in, but died suddenly of heart disease. His wife died a year and a half later. David S. Gilbert was born in Lorain County, Ohio, in 1827, and lived with his parents till 1852, when he joined a company bound for California and crossed the plains, being five months on the way. He remained in California four years, engaged the most of the time in farming. In 1856 he returned to Steuben County and erected a saw-mill in Pleasant Lake, wliicli he exchanged the following year for a part of his present farm, and with the exception of one year, when he was engaged in the mercantile business, has since given his attention to agriculture. He is one of the prominent and successful farmers of the township. His farm contains 340 acres of valuable land. In 1874 he built a fine brick residence in the village of Pleasant Lake, where he now lives. He was married in the fall of 1857 to Lucy A. Gaylord, who died Feb. 19, 1864, leaving three children - Lewis H., Arthur C. and Miner, all of whom live on the farm. Mr. Gilbert subsequently married Permelia Grant, daughter of Abram Grant. Their two children, Frank and Grace, are at home in Pleasant Lake. In the spring of 1857 Mr. Gilbert was elected Justice of the Peace and served eleven years, when he resigned, but in 1873 was elected to the same office, and still holds the position. He is serving his second term as Township Trustee.

John Harpham^Sr.^ was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1810, remaining in his native country till twenty-six years of age, when he came to the United States and lived in Monroe County, N. Y., several years. He was married in Rochester, N. Y., in April, 1843, to Margaret Gillanders, a native of the north of Ireland, born in 1821, and came to the United States in 1841. The following fall they moved to Steuben County, Ind., and settled on section 17, Steuben Township, where they have since lived. There were no improvements on their land and but one house in Pleasant Lake, owned and occupied by Seth Murray. Mr. Harpliam owns 110 acres of valuable land, ninety acres under cultivation, with a pleasant residence and good farm buildings. Mr. and Mrs. Harpham have had nine children; six are living - Martha, John, James, Samuel, Anna and George. Joseph, Mary Jane and Elizabeth are deceased.

John Harpham^ Jr.^ was born in Steuben Township, Steuben Co., Ind., in 1851, a son of John and Margaret Harpham. He was reared and educated in his native county and since attaining manhood has given his attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1871 he was married to Miss Loretta Deller, daughter of Nicholas and Mary A. Deller. In 1872 he bought sixty acres of land on section 17, Steuben Township, of Abraham Kinsley, one of the pioneers of Steuben County, and in 1877 bought eighty acres more adjoining, of the Grieves heirs. He now owns one of the best farms in Steuben Township. Mr. Harpham is one of the enerojetic and successful young farmers of Steuben Township. His interests have always been in his native county and he has always been among the foremost to assist every enterprise of public benefit. John and Loretta Harpham have had five children; two died in infancy; three daughters are living - Evvie May, Levada Dell and Carrie Ettie,

Daniel Hoffman was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, March 6, 1825, and when a child removed with his parents to Trumbull County. He is a son of Jacob and Mary M. Hoffman, who were among the first settlers of Trumbull County, and remained there till their death. In 1849 Mr. Hoffman came to Indiana and settled in Wells County, where he was married to Margaret Osborn, a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, born in 1831, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Osborn. Her father died in Ohio, and her mother is a resident of Pennsylvania. She came to Indiana with her brother Levi in 1850 and was married in October of the same yfear. Mr. Hoffman settled on an unimproved farm in Wells County, entering 160 acres in 1849. He improved his land and made of it a fine farm, living on it till 1866. In 1865 he came to Steuben County and bought 100 acres of land, eighty acres lying on the east half of the northeast quarter of section 26, and twentv acres on the north half of the southeast quarter of the same section. In April, 1866, he moved his family to tueir new home. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, devoting considerable attention to raising short-horn cattle. He is an enterprising, progressive farmer, and is one of the representative citizens of Steuben Township. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman have had ten children, eight of whom are living - Jacob A., of Cheyenne County, Kas. ; Mary Elizabeth, wife of Ezekiel Harlan, of Paulding County, Ohio; Elias O., of St. Louis County, Mo.; John Charles, of Steuben Township; Lydia A., wife of James A. Renner, of Paulding County, Ohio; Margaret E., wife of Edward Teeters, of Steuben Township; Hannah Lois, and James L. Amanda Jane died at the age of sixteen years, in 1874, and Daniel W. was drowned in Maserva Lake, Steuben Township, while bathing, July 15, 1883.

Asa F. Huffman was born in Erie County, Ohio, in 1839, a son of William and Clarissa (Dana) Ilufiman, natives of Pennsylvania. William Huffman was born in 1802. After his marriao-e he moved to Erie County, Ohio. In 1853 they moved to Steuben County and located on section 22, Steuben Township, where the father died June 13, 1865, and the mother in 1867. They had a family of eight children, six of whom are living - Mariam, wife of Welcome Pixley; Silas, of Michigan; Susan, wife of Daniel Stetler; AsaF.; Elizabeth, wife of George D. Hough, of Nebraska; John W. of Ohio, and Samuel, of Kansas. The deceased are - Eliza, wife of Philander Thompson, and Mildred. Asa F. remained at home till the breaking out of the Rebellion. He enlisted in the Seventy-fourth Indiana Infantry, and participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, the Atlanta campaign and Sherman's march to the sea. He married EmeretTuttle, a native of Indiana, born in 1843, a daughter of Lemmon Tnttle. Mr. and Mrs. Huffman have five children - Melvin, Orla, Sidney, Morton and Blaine. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Pleasant Lake. In politics Mr. Huffman is a Republican. He resides on the northeast quarter of section 26, where he has one of the finest farms in the township.

Theophilus Jackson has been a resident of Steuben County, Ind., since July 20, 1837. He was born Oct. 20, 1814, in Livonia, Livingston Co., N. Y., and was reared in his native town. When a young man he moved with his parents to Cattaraugus County. In June, 1837, he started for the then far West, He went to Petersburg, down the Alleghany River on a raft, and from there by the same conveyance to Cincinnati; thence by steamer to the mouth of the Ohio, up the Mississippi to the mouth of the Wisconsin, up that river to the mouth of Fox River, and from there to Chicago. He was accompanied as far as Fox River by Wilson Mudget. From Chicago he walked to Michigan City, where he remained a day or two; thence to LaPorte, White Pigeon, Lima, and Steuben County, a journey of about six weeks from the time he left home. He went to work by the month, but was soon taken sick and for six months suffered with the prevailing disease of a new country, fever and ague. The first land he purchased was forty acres on section 19, Otsego Township, in 1840. Like many other settlers Mr. Jackson came to this county with but little means, his cash capital on his arrival being $3. He worked by the month a number of years, thus securing money to make his first purchase. He gradually increased his possessions till instead of forty acres his farm contained 237 acres, its present dimensions. In 1841 his parents, John L. and Hezadiah (McMillan) Jackson, followed him to Steuben County, and here passed the remainder of their lives. His father was a native of the Mohawk Yalley, N. Y., and his mother of Vermont. They were married in Livonia, N. Y. In March, 1873, Mr. Jackson retired from active farm life and settled in Pleasant Lake, where he has a beautiful home. He w^as married in March, 1843, to Mary Ann Carter, who was born in December, 1817, daughter of Jonas Carter. They have four children - Edward lives on the old homestead; Leonora, wife of Henry Gaylord, of Otsego Township; Sarah, wife of James Stetler, of Steuben Township, and George, in Traverse County, Mich. Their youngest child, Frank, died at the age of four years.

Nathan M. Lacy was born in Monroe County, Ohio, in 1830, a son of Thomas and Nancy (McGaughey) Lacy, his father a native of Loudoun County, Va., born in 1803, and his mother of Washington County, Md., born April 20, 1807. Thomas Lacy moved to Belmont County, Ohio, with his parents when a child, and was there married. In 1837 he came to Steuben County, Ind., and entered a tract of wild land, to which he moved his family in 1841. He improved his land and made a pleasant home, where he lived till his death, Aug. 22, 1860. His family consisted of nine children - William died at the age of forty-seven years; Nathan M. ; John B., of Warren County, Ind.; James R. died in childhood; Mary E., wife of Joseph Dukes, of Otsego Township; Thomas S.; Rhuanna, wife of William Gramling; Maria, wife of Robert Snowbarger; Robert A. John and Thomas S. were soldiers in the war of the Rebellion. Of the 240 acres of land entered by Mr. Lacy in 1837, all but fifty-three acres are still in the possession of his family. Nathan M. Lacy was married to Cordelia George, daughter of Joseph H. George. She died June 26, 1874.

Thomas IS. Lacy is a son of Thomas Lacy who settled in Steuben Township in 1841. He was born in Seneca Countj^ Ohio May 9, 1841, and has lived in Steuben Township since his infancy. He served in the war of the Rebellion about twenty-two months. He enlisted first in Company B, Twenty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and served ten months. In ]864 he enlisted in Company A, Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry, and served till the close of the war. He has been three times married. His first wife was Mary Gramling, daughter of Isaac Gramling, of De Kalb County. To them were born three children - Manda E., William E. and Mary E. His second wife was Yiolet Markley, by whom he had five children, but two of whom are living - Emmett M. and Cora E. Cyrus E., Edwin B. and an infant daughter are deceased. His

J. Stacy Lockwood was born in Hillsdale County, Mich,, in 1839, and was there reared and educated remaining there till his marriao-e. He married Marian Carter, daughter of James Carter, a pioneer of Steuben County. Mrs. Lockwood was born on the old homestead on section 25, Steuben Township, Feb. 16,1844. After tlieir marriage they settled on the Carter homestead where thev have since lived. They have two children - Cora and Mark. Their eldest child, Arthur, died at the age of thirteen years. James Carter was a representative citizen of the township, and died at the homestead April 9, 1881. He was three times married. His first wife was Louisa Frink, by whom he had two chil-

James Madison Crain resides on section 36, Steuben Township, on land settled by his father, Lucius Crain, in 1837. Lucius Crain was born in the State of Connecticut and moved when a boy to New York with his parents. He was married to Paulina Frink, a native of Madison County, N. Y. In 1837 he started for the West with his family and located on the land now occupied by his son. He put up a log house and cleared about five acres of timber. In the spring of 1838, on account of sickness which prevailed at that time in the settlement, and actuated no doubt by homesickness, he decided to return to his native State and remain five years, till the county should get more thickly settled. He accordingly packed up his household effects and engaged a man and team to take them to Toledo, where he took a steamer for his old home. His father-in-law, Selah Frink, had settled in Otsego Township, and after about two years wrote him that the country had become more healthy and advised him to return. Accordingly after an absence of two years and a half he again took up his abode in Steuben Township, and lived here till his death in 1849. His family consisted of five children, all of whom are livino-. James Madison Crain was born in Madison County, N. Y., in 1830. He remained with his father till his death and then took charge of the homestead, where he has since lived. He married Margaret J. Renner, a native of Pennsylvania. They have three children - Arvilla, Lucius and Wilson.

Samuel Menges was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1840, and in 1853 came to Steuben County, Ind., with his parents. He enlisted in March, 1865, in the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Indiana Infantry and served fill the close of the war. His regiment was stationed at Wilmington, Del., doing provost duty. After the war he engaged in agricultural pursuits and bought ninetyeight acres of land on the northwest quarter of section 9, of his father, Adam Menges, and twenty acres adjoining of George W. McConnell. In 1883 he built a fine residence and his improvements are now among the best in the county. Mr. Menges was married to Mary A. Wolf, daughter of William Wolf, of Steuben Township. Mr. and Mrs. Menges have two children, a son and a daughter - Judson and Ida.

George S. Murray is a representative of one of the well-known pioneer families of Steuben County. His father was David Murray and his grandfather was Seth W. Murray. He was born in Elkhart County, Ind., June 15, 1849. He has been twice married. His first wife was Mary E. Freligh, daughter of Samuel Freligh, by whom he has two sons - Samuel and Arthur. His present wife is Orpha, daughter of John Snyder. Mr. Murray has been a resident of Pleasant Lake since 1861. In 1870 he engaged in the hardware business in partnership with Frank Hoover. In 1871 he sold out to his partner and continued in business alone until Dec. 6,1884, when he formed a partnership with Lafayette Case, under the firm name of Murray & Case. Mr. Case is a native of Pleasant Lake, born in 1845, a son of Furman and Amelia (Merlott) Case. He married Leila Snyder, daughter of John Snyder, and has three children - Dellie E., Ora F. and Garr.

Henry Bitter was born in Beaver Township, Union Co., Pa., April 4, 1803. When nineteen years of age he moved with his father, John Ritter, to Wayne County, Ohio, being among the first settlers. His father afterward moved to Ashland County, where he died in the ninety-ninth year of his age. Henry Ritter was married in Tiffin, Ohio, to Mary Harpster, a native of the same township, and a schoolmate of her husband. After his marriao-e he settled on forty acres of land in Canaan Township, Wayne County, where he lived till 1851, when he moved to Steuben County, Ind., and settled on section 8, Steuben Township, where he has since lived. At that time there was a small frame building used as a granary, and a log-cabin on the place, and about thirty-five acres improved. He bought 200 acres, paying for it $7 per acre.

He now owns 226 acres, valued at $50 per acre. He had but a few hundred dollars when he came to the county, but by industry and economy has acquired a competency. He had but little help in clearing and improving his land, his only son being in poor health. He has one of the best farms in Steuben County, which he still superintends. Politically Mr. Ritter has always been a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Reformed church. They have four children - David; Elizabeth, wife of John Clink; Mary, widow of Andrew Sunday; Catherine, wife of Charles Clink. They lost one daughter in infancy.

Philip Hitter resides on section 6, Steuben Township, where he settled in Jul}', 1852. He purchased his first land, 128 acres, ot Lewis Carter. No improvements had been made, the land being heavily timbered. His first house was of hewn logs, and was built in the spring of 1852. In 1868 he built his present residence. He has now 194 acres of land, about 125 acres of which are improved and very productive. Mr. Ritter is a brother of Henry Ritter, of this township, and was born in the same township in New York, in 1820. He was apprenticed in his youth to the trade of a carpenter, and has worked at his trade and also as an undertaker nearly fifty years. Since coming to Indiana he has carried on his farm in connection with his other business. Mr. Ritter has been twice married. His first wife was Lucy Ann Kope, daughter of Henry Kope, an early settler of Wayne County, Ohio. Mrs. Ritter died in March, 1854, leaving three children - Henry, Mar}' and Jacob. Mr. Ritter then married Mrs. Martha (Gillander) Anderson, a native of the north of Ireland. To them have been born eight children, six of whom are living - Martha,- Barbara, Theophilus, Levina, Elener and Orpha. Mr. and Mrs, Ritter are members of the United Brethren church. Mr. Ritter has accumulated his property by industry and economy, and by his integrity has gained the confidence of the entire community.

Cyrus Robertson resides on section 13, Steuben Township. This farm was formerly the homestead of John Carter. It contains 326 acres, and is a fine grain and stock farm. The buildings are among the best in tlie township. It was purchased of Mr. Carter by John C. Robertson in August, 1870, and of him about a year later by his son, Charles G. Robertson. Cyrus Robertson, a brother of Charles, has charge of the farm, the latter being a resident of Hillsdale, Mich., where he has been teaching twenty-five years. The Robertson family were originally from New Jersey, and later settled in

New York. John C. Kobertson moved to Lenawee County, Mich., in 1826, and located land to which he moved his family in the early history of that county. In 1849 he moved to Lagrange County, Ind., and thence in 1854 to Hillsdale County, Mich,, where he died in June, 1884. Cyrus Robertson was born in Lenawee County, Mich., in 1841. He went with his father to Lagrange County in 1849, and from there to Hillsdale County, Mich. In 1863 he enlisted in the Eleventh Michigan Cavalry and served a year, when he was commissioned First Lieutenant in the Fifth United States Colored Cavalry Regiment, a position he retained till March, 1866, when he was discharged, after a service of two and a half years. After the war he returned to Michigan, where he lived till 1870, when he came to Steuben County. He married Helen Mason, daughter of Charles Mason, who settled in Michigan from Otsego County, N. Y., in 1855. To them were born two children - Charles and Agnes. Mrs. Robertson died in May, 1883.

J. Cole Simmons was born in Huron County, Ohio, in 1830, a son of Charles B. and Maria (Hanchet) Simmons, his father a native of Massachusetts, and his mother of Connecticut. Charles B. Simmons moved to Ohio with his parents in 1816, and still lives in Huron County. His wife died many years ago. Our subject was reared a farmer, receiving a common-school education. He came to Steuben County, Lid., in April, 1863, and bought a farm on section 26, Steuben Township, of Norman Gardner, which was entered bv Seth Murray. In 1866 he sold his farm at quite an advance on the purchase price, and in 1867 bought the farm where he now lives, on the northeast quarter of section 27, of William Thompson. This farm contains eighty aci-es of valuable land, and the improvements are among the best in the township. Mr. Simmons is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of sheep-raising. He was married in Ohio to Ann Smith, a native of Huron County, and a schoolmate in his childhood. Their only child, Charles, died in infancy. Mr. Simmons's brother, Y. E., came to Indiana in 1864, and engaged in the mercantile business at Pleasant Lake. He was also Postmaster from 1856 till his death, in September, 1880. He was one of the prominent business men of the village, and a highly esteemed citizen. He left a widow, who returned to Ohio. Mr. Simmons was in partnership with his brother in business a year.

Smith was born in Pennsylvania in 1820, but was reared a farmer in Ohio. He was married in Wayne County, Ohio, to Elizabeth Lidge, of Frederick County, Md. They moved to Indiana in August, 1850, and settled in Jackson Township, DeKalb Counry, and in 1865 moved to Steuben County, where Mr. Smith died in June, 1876. His family consisted of twelve children, seven of whom are living - Isaiah; Francis M., of Chicago, was born Jan. 21, 1851; Sarah, born May 4, 1854, is the wife of H. Thomas; Warren M., born Oct. 2, 1856, lives in Nebraska; Edward L. , born Aug. 3, 1858; Harry R., born Oct. 23, 1861; George W., born July 30, 1865. Hiram G. was born Jan. 26, 1841, and enlisted in Company K, Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry, and served nearly three years; died at Loudon, Tenn., April 25,1861. Elizabeth A. died Jan. 25, 1868, in the twenty-sixth year of lier age. Charles A. enlisted in the Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry and served about eighteen months. He died at home Feb. 1, 1881, in his thirtyfifth 3'ear. Isadorah, born Oct. 18, 1863, died in childhood. Caroline died in infancy. Isaiah Smith enlisted June 1, 1863, in Company D, One Hundred and Eighteenth Indiana Infantry, a?id served nine months. In March, 1864, he enlisted in Company K, Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry, and served till Dec. 25, 1865. Soon after his first enlistment, he was taken sick and sent home on furlough. When convalescent he reported for duty at Indianapolis and was sent to Camp Nelson, Ky. From Camp Nelson he joined his regiment at Greensville in time to participate in the engagement of that place. He was in active service during his term of enlistment. His health was undermined by exposure and privation, and he has never fully recovered. He is by trade a carpenter and mason, his home being on the old homestead. He married Susie Bhodefer, daughter of Abram Rhodefer, of De Kalb County. They have three children - Genevra, Edna and Maud M. V. One child, Esthanora, is deceased.

John Snyder was born in Richland County, Ohio, in June, 1828. His father, William Snyder, was a native of New York, and moved with his parents to Richland County. John Snyder remained in his native county till 1852, and then came to Steuben County, Ind., and located on section 11, Otsego Township, where he lived till 1872, when he sold his farm and bought another in Steuben Township. In 1883, on account of ill health, he retired from farming and located in Pleasant Lake. He enlisted in 1862 in the Seventyfourth Indiana Infantry and served till May, 1864. He enlisted as a private and passed through a series of promotions till in February, 1863, he was appointed Second Lieutenant. He was afterward commissioned First Lieutenant, but on account of disability was not mustered in. He participated in the battle of Chickamauga, where he was wounded in the right foot, from the eflfects of which he has never fully recovered, and owing to disability resigned in May, 1864. Mr. Snyder was married in Ohio, to Cornelia Hopp, a native of New York, daughter of Frederick and Susan Hopp. Her father died when she was a child, leaving a family of ten children to the care of a widowed mother. Mrs. Hopp died in Neva, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have had six children, four of whom are living - Zella E., Susan A., Orpha O., and Nellie M. The deceased were William and Sarah J., wife of Frank Noyes. Mrs. Snyder's eldest brother, Aaron Hopp, was a resident of Pleasant Lake ten years,hi8 wife, Sarah (Amsbaugh}Snyder,dying here in January, 1869. He subsequently returned to Ohio. Her brother George is a resident of Steuben Township, and a sister, Mrs. Sarah Mc- Gnir«, lives in Lagrange County, Ind.

Chester Y. Tuttle, of Pleasant Lake, is a son of Lemmon Tnttle, one of the pioneers of Steuben County. He was born in Steuben Township in July, 1847. In 1863 he enlisted in the Seventh Indiana Cavalry and served till the close of the war. The Seventh Cavalry was assigned to the Department of the Mississippi, and performed much active and eflScient service. They participated in a number of important campaigns and battles. Since the war Mr. Tuttle has been connected with the mercantile business of Pleasant Lake, and at present is one of the efficient force of the extensive mercantile business of Chad wick & Co. He owns a good farm of eighty acres on section 26, on which he resides. His wife was Tillie Belles, a native of Portage County, Ohio, daughter of George Belles. They have four sons - Earl, Carl, Worthy and Harry. Mr. Tuttle's father, Lemmon Tuttle, was born in New York State in 1813, and when a boy moved \vith his parents to Ohio. He married Filora Gould, a native of Caynga County, N. Y., born in 1818, and removed with her parents, Kiah and Mehitable (Sturges) Gould, to Ohio, when ten years of age. In 183S Mr. Tuttle came to Indiana, and in 1840 located in Steuben County. He died at the residence of his son-in-law, Asa F. Huffman, in June, 1881. His wife died Dec. 25, 1880. They had a family of nine children, six of whom lived till maturity and five are living - Lorana, wife of Riley Lemmon; Emeret, wife of Asa F. Huffman;

The subject of this meager autobiography passed in comparative safety the first of these, Nov. 13, 1850, at Chagrin Falls, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio. Celebrated with Rheumina H. Sanders the second, in Otsego, Nov. 23, 1873, and now with kings and potentates awaits ' the inevitable hour' that shall comprehend the third.

At his nativity Dr. D. "W. Bliss officiated, since distinguished at the death bed of a martyr president, and at the second Rev. Harlowe Carpenter, now we hope in the enjoyment of fame above.

Frank B., next to the magical seventh son of Jacob H. and Nancy S. YanAuken, whose lives are elsewhere recorded in this volume, has since 1882 been proprietor of Magic Grove Farm on section 13, Steuben Township, where his youth was spent. From 1867 to 1870 he studied in the Angola Academy receiving highest grade teacher's license at seventeen years of age. At eighteen he taught school at Pleasant Lake, at nineteen became an itinerant writing teacher, and at twenty organized the first township graded school at Orland. In the same year he with his brother, J. J. Van- Auken, matriculated as sophomores in Hillsdale College, from which institution he graduated in 1874 receiving the degree of Baccalaurus Scientiae {vfQ believe) two years meanwhile having been spent as principal of the new graded school at Pleasant Lake, assisted by his wife. In 1875 the two brothers, F. B. and J. J. Yan Auken, were elected County Surveyors of Steuben and De Kalb respectively, the former having only lacked the necessary votes two years previously - a circumstance by no means uncommon in this interesting county destined to become, with her hardy people, beautiful woods, nestling lakes, and fertile soil, one of the favorite dwelling places of creation. The other brother has maintained his honorable position almost continuously to the present time.

Five years were spent by the writer in the delicate and responsible position of Superintendent of the Waterloo City Schools, graduating the first class from that institution in 1878. Since retiring from the profession he has been treated by some of his opponents on the field of opinion with cruel malignity, being stigmatized a " good templar," " free trader" and " Democrat." But life is too short and time too swift on his golden wing for a full

Rheumina H., wife of Frank B. YanAuken, was born July 6, 1852 - only daughter of Henry and Jane (Jackman) Sanders. They have four children - Sanders, born June 2,1875; JN'anneJane, born July 29, 1878; Frank Verne, born Aug. 22, 1880; and Glenn, born Nov. 8, 1883.

Mrs. YanAuken's father, an iron-maker, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., in 1811, and died in Otsego Township, Steuben Co., Ind., where he had cleared and improved a beautiful farm on section 23, now owned by ex-Sheriff Keyes, June 29, 1879. He was highly respected for his intelligence and fine character. Her mother is living at Butler, DeKalb Co., Ind. Mrs. Sanders was born in Richland County, Ohio, in 1822, and in September, 1836, came to Steuben County, Ind., with her parents, Robert and Phoebe Jackm an, and located in Richland Township. Her parents had a family of twelve children, three of whom died in childhood. The others were - Henry, who was married, came to Steuben County with his family and settled in Otsego Township, where he died. Richard, also married, settled in Otsego Township, where he died July 8, 1864. Samuel was a young man when he accompanied his father to Steuben County,,but returned to Ohio and was married and then settled in Richland Township, where he died in November, 1884. He built the first cabin in Richland Township in the spring of 1836. Mary is the widow of David Aldrich, of Otsego Township; Jane, now Mrs. Sanders; Robert died at the age of forty-nine years, unmarried; Lydia, the eldest daughter, died at Mount Vernon, Ohio, April 4, 1885. Margaret married in Ohio, George Eagle, and came with her husband to Indiana about 1840, locating in DeKalb County. Mr. Eagle died, and his widow afterward married James Johnson, who is also deceased. The youngest daughter, Christina, married Marvin Gordon, and died a number of years since. Of this large and well-known family there remains but three daughters, all widows. Jane, the youngest of the surviving daughters, was married in February, 1843, to Daniel Thurstin, a native of the State of New York, who came to Steuben County from Ohio with his parents, Eli and Margaret

(Koons) Thurstin. After his marriage he settled in Franklin Township, where he was killed in 1848 by descending into a well where poisonous gas had accumulated, his death being instantaneous. Mr, and Mrs. Thurstin had three children - Calvin H., of Butler, DeKalb County; Phcebe, wife of Henry Smith, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Eobert J., who died May 15, 18Y5, aged twentyfour years, was a student at Hillsdale College. In 1851 Mrs. Thurstin married Henry Sanders, the father of Mrs. Yan Auken. Jacobs^. Van Auken. - The strength of the live oak remains unknown till tested by storm and time; the tide, unmeasured till it beats against the rocks; the stars unseen till night brings them out; our guiltless Cromwells and inglorious Miltons may sleep in oblivion because they fail to

Thus may begin the written eulogy of the humblest as well as the greatest of men. But he who bravely battles with his environments to attain a competence or distinction among men, though the exertion of his utmost powers may fail, his best efforts crowned with failure and defeat perch upon his banner; yet if he dies with the consciousness of having done his best, he has attained " the truest success to which man can aspire."

Among the stingy hills of his native region, at a time when the ordinary comforts of life cost far more effort than now, Jacob H. Yan Auken grew to manhood. His father, an ex-soldier of the war of 1812, had traded his farm in Pike County, Penn., where our subject was born, Aug. 13, 1810, for a tract of coal land near Pittsburg which he refused to occupy. At five years of age Jacob, the youngest of a large family of children, was thus homeless and face to face with poverty. During the succeeding winters he attended the country schools of Sussex County, N. J., his feet clad in rags, later to be exchanged for leather shoes purchased with quails which he had entrapped. The lad's perception and memory were bright and, accordingly, at sixteen he graduated from the college of the common people with the degree of master of the three R's, reading, 'righting and 'rithmetic. Shortly thereafter we find him the leading schoolmaster of Peter's Yalley, and studying also logarithms and surveying under a private tutor. Among his pupils was Nancy Strawway, nearly five years his junior, to whom in March, 1831, he was married, a relationship which lasted nearly fifty years, to her death July 19, 1878. Four years later, Oct. 6, 1882, he also died from the gradual bursting of the heart. And now both have

Among the mementoes of their early life, preserved by the family, is the copybook, the admiration of all, containing his work with the copies set by the master; also the Gunter's rule, Jacob-staff and compass bought by him in New York with the first avails of his teaching, and bearing with him an interesting companionship through life. Soon after their marriage they embarked for the then ''far West," intending to settle in St. Joseph County, Mich., but owing to the Black Hawk war they were deterred from going there and stopped at Deerfield, Portage Co., Ohio, the slow and tiresome journey by way of the Erie Canal and lake occupying nineteen days. To them were here born three children. Several years were divided between the little farm and teaching the village school, among the patrons being Jesse Grant, the tanner, father of a son destined in the march of events to become illustrious. Thence they moved to Orange (afterward Chagrin Falls) Cuyahoga County, and to them were there born twelve children. In the autumn of 1860 they, with their family, came to Pleasant Lake, Steuben County, and purchased the homestead now known, by the arrangement of nineteen stately evergreens in nine straight rows which they planted, as Magic Grove Farm. And here was born one son - he and four of the daughters dying in childhood,

Rearing so large a family in increasing comfort, and always offering them the advantages of books and schools, three times in life beginning empty handed, yet always refusing any place of honor from his fellows - these circumstances render appropriate a word to the young whose interest may prompt them to follow these lines. He possessed a will and energy that would not permit him to sit down in despair, together with courage and pluck to the verge of impulse - qualities which we admire even in an enemy. Moreover he was a skilled artisan in one trade, broommaking, and thus while wrestling to maintain his family during their helpless years, the winter clouds, foreboding privation and want, were ofttimes rifted with the sunshine of profitable industry.

In 1840 he served his Government by surveying in the northern part of Michigan, a calling (bequeathed to several of his sous) which occupied a portion of his time and secured to him a large acquaintance during a residence of nearly thirty years in Ohio. On one occasion his assistant was an uncouth but active boy whose manners and intelligence excited his interest. He was the son of a poor widow living in the same neighborhood. He counseled the youth to attend the select school of his friend, Dr. Harlowe. Late in life he again visited his young friend, now a full man, and exchanged with him the old salutationsof -' Jake" and " Jim." The latter urged him warmly to attend in his company an important event. Jim, whose surname was Garfield, was about to assume "in Kepublican simplicity the mastership of the helm ot State."

In politics he was a firm believer and fearless advocate of the principles which underlie our form of government as taught by Thomas Jefl:erson. And as his pathway led through the darkest valley of our national experience - the war between the States - and as in those times, fraught with peril, his position was misunderstood and misrepresented by men who assumed, without truth, to possess loftier patriotism for our popular institutions than he, some ray of light may properly be shed upon this meager picture of his life. As in history, the war among the States of Greece blighted the flower of hope for Democratic freedom and inaugurated a rule of tyranny; and the internecine strife between the plebeians and patricians of that ancient republic which had stood against the world led to the overthrow of Kome and the establishment of an empire on her ruins; so he believed that our social compact, a union of States based upon reciprocity and brotherly love, could not survive the shock and strain of a mighty civil war. In this instance he was happily mistaken. For a patriotic people, North and South, learned from that struggle to cherish the arts of peace above the arts of war. And while advocating in the midst of unforeseen dangers, not peace on any other than honorable terms, he yet counseled his two sons to be true soldiers during the war and at its close promptly advocated full acquiescence in its logical results as well as a generous policy toward the veteran soldiers.

His religious views, with which he lived and died, like his political opinions, may be illuminated by reference to Jefferson, in harmony with that wave of liberal thought that once wrought a moral revolution in France, "reached Germany and swept over the Netherlands," carrying with it many of the best minds in the infant republic destined to become, under the benign influence of nntrammeled thought, like a tale of romance, the giant of the West. He was not an agnostic, refusing to canvass what he conceived to be the unknowable because his faith in the ;, power of argument to decide the warfare of opinion was supreme. While rejecting with scorn all slavery of thought or fear and spurning with contempt what he believed to be the hand-forged shackles of human creed, yet embracing not the " sprinkle with perfume and cover with flowers that I may thus enter upon eternal sleep" of Mirabeau, but in common with the most of the race he entertained a belief that the " darkness" which fell from his dying lips was pierced by some star of hope. He was reared a Presbyterian, to which church he belonged until he became convinced that the propositions on which the Christian religion is founded, to wit: The immaculate conception, the wandering of a star, the trinity, the vicarious atonement, the doctrine of endless punishment, the prophecies and miracles, are all contrary to the laws of nature, and consequently could not be true. He believed that the Koran, the Yeda Shasta, the Bible and all other books are the productions of man. He believed in one God and that the God of Nature, and that the only revelation from him could come through her laws, and that he who studied and learned the most of these received the greater amount of revelation. He closed his eyes in death in the arms of the son who bears his name with others of his children near him, the faculties of his mind unimpaired, believing, and satisfied with his belief, that if man uses his reason which the God of Nature has given him and acts honestly and conscientiously upon the conciusions thus arrived at, that certainly no harm can come to him in the future. On Sunday morning following his death not less than a thousand persons attended the burial services in the grove at Pleasant Lake. An obituary was read by the oldest son, C. E. Van Auken, after which J. H. Burnham, of Saginaw City, Mich., delivered a scholarly address, subject: Our Relation to Nature. Music by Freygang's Orchestra. Seven sons and two daughters were present, six sons acting as pallbearers, the other, with the daughters, sons' wives, grandchildren, and other relatives and friends following the remains to their final resting place in the city of the dead by the side of the mother whose steadfast character had tempered his prosperity and upheld him in adversity through life.

He was an ardent student, a keen debator, and advocated his views with warmth and vehemence. Denied in youth the equipment in science obtainable in our day of multiplied facilities, his love of study, and especially of mathematics in which he developed uncommon talent, never forsook him. A salient point in his intellectual make-up not to be overlooked was his power of criticism. His perception of the errors of style or logic in a discourse seemed intuitive. An intelligent friend, A. V. Ball, with whom he was associated in business during some of the happiest and most prosperous years of his life, has said that in all his intercourse with men he never knew another so able to defend himself with his tongue. His power of language and invective seemed as spontaneous as the well of feeling from which they sprung - his mental sword had two edges, reason on one side and sarcasm on the other.

They who with filial affection pen this sketch, well knowing that the highest ornament of human discourse is its fidelity to truth, and while anxious to hold aloft his virtues as worthy of imitation, would yet acknowledge his faults or foibles whatever they may have been, and cover them over with the mantle of charity His generous impulses were such as to make him ever the willing friend of those in need, and sometimes, also, the victim of designing men

And now, speaking for the young, to him and all the mighty band of pioneers who, with no other than the magic wand of toil, have changed the vast and frowning forest into fruitful fields and happy homes, we bid you hail and farewell.

Nancy Van Avken. - We who have attempted to write a short biography of our mother find it no easy task. True mothers are, in the estimation of their children, faultless; and to attempt to discourse uDon the manv virtues and unselfish charities of a mother is entirely too delicate a matter to be dealt with in so meager a manner. Seated ready for the task, with pen already dipped in ink, the first thoughts that come to us are her last words, her last wistful look upon us, and then, as the vivid recollection of the many, many loving kindnesses of mother, cluster about us, the heart beats quick, the eyes are filled, and the fingers refuse to write. * * * We pause, we linger for a time in reverie, until the faculties are again collected. * * * Nancy Strawway was born and reared among the mountains of New Jersey. She was born at a time when the heart of this country was stirred to quick and resolute action in consequence of the last war with England, and not unlikely many of the sterling qualities which she possessed were imbued upon her by her mother at this critical juncture. When quite a young girl she was sent from her father's poor and lowly home (for he was a miner for iron ore) to live with her uncle, Joseph Harvey, where an opportunity for getting an education was possible. For four years she attended school under the instruction of Jacob H. Van Auken, who afterward became her consort for the remainder of her life, with whom she lived nearly fifty years, rearing a large family of children. And for these many years she was truly both Secretary and Treasurer of her entire 1amily, and a living encyclopedia for the same. Her willingness and ability to do for, and her zealous and watchful care over her own household and family, were barely ever equaled and could not be excelled by any mother on earth. The children were lullabied to sleep at night by her tuneful song, while yet her hands found work to do. In addition to doing her own housework with neatness and dispatch, she still found time to spin the yarn and knit the stockings for the family, and once, when the stern decree of fate had robbed them of every farthing, with six small dependent children, with almost superhuman effort she found time to spin the flax and weave the cloth for summer clothing for herself, her husband and her little ones, and at the same time delivering bright and mellow words of hope and consolation to those about her. She was endowed by nature with a strong and vigorous constitution, added to which was a cultivated and well-balanced mind which well fitted her for the office of maternity, which she so well and nobly filled. The order of her motherhood is as follows - Sarah Jane, born Aug. 11, 1832, died Jan. 14, 1834, at Deerfield, Ohio; Calvin E., born July 29, 1835; James H., born Oct. 2, 1837; Horace N., born Oct. 23, 1839; Maria, born Aug. 9, 1841; Nancy, born Sept. 20, 1842, died Aug. 30, 1845, at Orange, Ohio; Phebe Elizabeth, born Dec. 8, 1843; Mary Jane, born March 9, 1845; Amos B., born July 19, 1847, killed by lightning at Red Oak, Iowa, Aug. 4,

And now, at the time of writing this sketch (1885), fifty-four years have elapsed since her marriage, and were it possible for a reunion of her own children with their families, sixty-seven living souls would call her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, while tvventy-three lie covered with the clods of the valley. How wonderful!

She did not live quite the allotted " threescore and ten years," but she lived to do and accomplished much. She lived to send sons to the civil war, and to see them return with the scars of battle. She lived to see her sons emerge from the colleges of learning: of her country, with honor to her and credit to themselves. She lived to see sons fill places of trust and honor given them'at the hands of their countrymen. She lived- to see her daughters rear families for usefalness. She "plied the steady oar" to a purpose, and with the habits of industry and frugality as a part of her very existence, the constant presence of which had a telling influence upon her family around her, a sufiicient fortune was gathered together to insure her plenty in her declining years, and the enduring marks of her handiwork in beautifying her home will stand as living monuments to her praise for centuries to come. Would that all mothers of the children of earth could emulate her example.

- The obituary notice printed in the Angola Herald was as follows: Aunt Nancy Van Auken, wife of Jacob H. Van Auken, died at the family residence two miles northeast of Pleasant Lake at 8:15 p. m., July 19, 1878. Her disease was enlargement of the liver, a post mortem revealing a condition of that organ known as " Lardacions;" also were found within the gall bladder three o-all stones lying side by side, of precisely the same shape and size, being almost perfect cubes, the faces of which were quite one half inch. Her condition caused no alarm until about eight weeks before her death, when the enlargement became noticeable and from that time she knew the end was near, but she did not take to her bed until the very last, her last conscious words being, " My children, was I ever so sick, so deathly sick?" From this time until her death, about twenty-four hours later, she was in a semi-unconscious state. Her age was sixty-three years, seven months and twenty-seven days. Born at Morristown, Morris Co., N. J., on the 22d day of November, 1814; was married at Sandyston, Sussex County, March 3, 1831, by Peter Young, Esq., (father of our old townsman, Andrew Young). She was the mother of sixteen children, nine sons and seven daughters. Four of the daughters and one son died in childhood. One son Amos, was killed by lightning, in Iowa, and had he lived he would have been thirty-one years old on the same day of his mother's death. The funeral was held in the grove which surrounds and adorns the last home of the departed, one of the most beautiful spots on earth, made lovely by her own hands. The discourse was delivered by Dr. Wilson, of Auburn, assisted by Prof. Hull, of Montgomery, Mich. The discourses were in keeping with the life of the deceased and were full of words of consolation for her family, such as would have come from her silent lips could they have spoken. The mother had the satisfaction of having all her living children minister to her wants during her last sickness and with their hands to wipe away the dew of death from her fading brow, and as she had no belief in a future punishment, nor expectation of meeting an angry God, she passed away as she had lived, with fortitude, courage and serenity.

The large concourse of people in attendance at the funeral attest the esteem of the community for the deceased and their sympathy for the bereaved family.

Silas R. Williams was born in Otsego County, N. Y., in 1847. In 1863 his father, Thomas L. Williams, came to Steuben County, and afterward went to Milwaukee, Wis., where he still resides. He came to this county in the spring of 1862. He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in the Seventy-fourth Indiana Infantry and served till the close of the war. He participated in the important events of the last part of the war in which General Sherman's array was engaged, amon^ others the siege of Atlanta and the march to the sea. Mr. Williams lives on section 11, Steuben Township, a part of the farm of Abner Winsor, and is engaged in general farming. Mr. Williams married Sarah A. Staley, a native of Angola, born in 1849, the only surviving child of Christian Staley. They have three sons - Mild. R., Claud H. and Roy W.