Union Township (part 1 of 2)

Union Township

Union Township occupies the southeast corner of Howard County and comprises thirty-one and a half square miles of territory bordering on Grant County on the east, and Tipton County on the south. Liberty and Jackson Townships on the north, and Taylor Township on the west. It was originally included in the territory of Green Township, and was set off as a distinct division at the March term , 1853, of the Board of County Commissioners. Topographically, the surface may be described as principally of even face in the northeastern, southeastern and southwestern portions, with occasional undulations of somewhat irregular character in the central part, while adjacent to the streams the land is more uneven, though in no place is it too broken for farming purposes. The township is well watered and drained by several streams, which flow throuu^h the country in various directions, the chief of which is Big Wild Cat. This water course passes through the central part of the township in a northwesterly direction, and aiibrds tlie principal drainage of the eastern part of the county. It has three divisions, known as the Grassy, Middle and South Forks, which unite, as a single stream, near the central part of the township in Section 18. Lily Creek rises near the northwestern part of the township, flows through an irregular channel in an easterly direction, and empties into Wild Cat in Section 10, near the village of Jerome, Kokomo Creek, the second stream of importance in the county, flows through the western part of Union. It enters the township from the west, about one-half mile from the southern boundary, takes a northeasterly course through Sections 80, 20 and 19, and leaves from Section 18. A small stream known as Prairie Creek rises near the south-central part of the township in Section 27, from whence it flows a northwesterly course through Sections 22 and 15, crossing the northern boundary in Section 16.

Soil, Timber, Etc

The soil in all parts of Union is the fine black loam common in the eastern part of the county, and which has given to this township its peculiar advantages as an agricultural region. It is very deep, and rests upon a stratum of clay, thus rendering artificial drainage comparatively easy where sufiicient outlets can be obtained. When first seen by white men, this part of the county was covered with dense forests of the finest timber, the principal varieties being black and white walnut, maple, beech, hickory, ash, oak, hackberry, linn, elm and sycamore in the low grounds along the water-courses. So thickly interwoven were the branches that the sun's rays were completely excluded from the soil beneath, which consequently remained wet during the greater part of the year. .This damp condition of the ground, with the abundance of decaying vegetable matter, proved the fruitful source of much of the fever and ague with which the first pioneers were afflicted during the first few years of the country's settlement. By a successful system of underdraining, however, all the surface water is now easily gotten rid of and in no part of the county is there a more healthy locality than Union Township. Union has the reputation of being a fine farming section, a claim which is well founded. While some portions of the county may show as rich a soil, and others may be better adapted to some specialty, yet we believe that no other township can lay claim to all the advantages of soil, water, timber and health fulness than are justly claimed for this. For a number of years, the natural advantages of this region were scarcely appreciated, as the farming was carried on in such a manner as to obtain results far below what are now realized. Better farm machinery, improved methods of planting and cultivating, and the adoption of crops better suited to the soil, have brought great and favorable changes. In an especial manner is this true in regard to harvesting and taking care of products.

Primitive Farming

The way our fathers performed their farming operations is so little known to this generation, who depend almost entirely on machinery, and require horses to do all the work which men, women and children formerly did, that a description of the old way, gathered from conversations with those who know whereof they speak, may be of interest to the young farmers of the present day. Banish all such modern improvements as self-binders, mowers, corn planters, sulky plows, horse rakes, threshing machines, riding cultivators, and some conception may be formed of the primitive way of farming. The following was the mode of planting corn : A.fter the ground had been broken with a "bar shear, " plowed and scratched over with a harrow in which short wooden pins were used for teeth, the little shovel plow and single horse were used for marking ruts both ways. After marking was done children, big and little, the men and women, went into the field, and while the children, with tin basins, or small baskets, dropped the grain in the crossings, the others, with heavy iron hoes, followed and covered it with dirt. After the planting came the hoeing, now superseded by the improved cultivator. The tending by single shovel plows was the common method until a few years ago, and many of them are still in use. Harvesting wheat, oats, rye and grass was formerly a laborious process. Even within the recollection of comparatively young men, the scythe and cradle were looked upon as improved implements of husbandry. The hand sickle and reap hook were the implements used in our grandfathers' time, and several days were required to harvest a field of grain which could be done with one of our modern self-binders in as many hours. The manner of cleaning wheat from the chaff, after it had been trampled out by horses or oxen, was by pouring it slowly out of a bucket or half bushel measure, for the win<l to blow the chaff away ; next came the " concave thresher" and the old fan mill turned by hand. But now the perfected thresher not only cleans and separates the wheat from the chaff and straw, but sacks and counts the number of bushels. Other improved methods of farm labor have kept pace with the modern machinery mentioned, and the advance which this township has made in an agricultural point of view since its first settlement has been almost phenomenal.

Pioneer Settlement

The political condition of a people depends largely upon the tenure of land. If a settler could call land his own, in the same sense that a iiorse or a gun is his, the region couhl not be retarded in its development, or such embarrassments arise as have been experienced in older countries. The land tenures in this county were perfect, hence its prosperity was placed upon a solid basis. There were no "grants " in those early days when the price of land was put up to enrich the seller. The land in this region was put in mai'ket for the benefit of the State by attracting permanent settlements.

The first settler who located in Union Township as it is at present designated, was David Bailey, the exact date of whose arrival was not ascertained, though it is supposed to have been prior to the year 1842. He located near the forks of Wild Cat, about two miles southeast of Jerome, where he erected a small cabin and cleared a patch of ground, though he did not remain there very long. There was a large family of the Baileys, several of whom settled near Greentown, in Liberty Townships where they took and disposed of a great many claims, accumulating thereby considerable money, which enabled them to enter land when it came into market. In the year 1843, Jesse Lancaster came to the township and settled a short distance north of the present site of Jerome, on land at present owned and occupied by Isaac Reed. At that time, the land was still in possession of the Indians, from whom Lancaster obtained permission to settle and make improvements. When the land came into market, he laid claim to 160 acres, but not having sufficient means to pay the Government price, he sold the claim, which was an eligible site, to Clem Murphy, for money enough to enter the adjoining quarter. Lancaster came here from Wells County, and seems to have been a man of some prominence in the little pioneer community. He was quite a mechanical genius, being a millwright by occupation, and found abundant opportunities for exercising his skill in making chairs, tables, plows and other articles for the early settlers. He improved a good farm and set out the first orchard in the township, many trees of which are still standing. In 1858, he sold this farm to John Shaughan and moved to Wayne County.

A son-in-law of Lancaster, Charles Baldwin, came about the same time and selected a site for his home a short distance west of Jerome, near a large spring, where he erected a rude pole shanty. This structure, which cannot be dignified by the term house, was constructed in a few hours, while the wind was blowing a still' breeze and the snow Avas flying thick in tlie air. The large cracks were stuff'ed with moss, which, with sheets hung around the interior, served to keep out the cold winter winds. A fire on the ground near the central 'part of the domicile, there being no floor, answered for heating and cooking purposes, while smoke was allowed to make its escape as best it could through a small opening in the brush and hay roof. The following spring, a more comfortable and convenient cabin was built, but the members of the family never forgot their experience in the rail-pen during the cold winter of 1843-44. Baldwin was a native of England, a man of more than ordinary intellectual culture, and, as a teacher, was for several years identified with the early schools of Union. He afterward became the possessor of a good farm, lying about one mile east of Jerome, where Albert Farrington now lives. He sold this place and moved into Jackson Township a number of years ago.

During the year 1844, the following settlers located within the present limits of the township : Charles 0. Fry, William Jones, Joseph Brown, Thomas Moorman, John Farrington and John Husted. The first named settled a short distance southwest of Jerome, near Big Wild Cat, on land which he "pre-empted" when it came into market. He erected his first cabin near an Indian sugar camp, which so exasperated the red men who were in no wise friendly toward the settler, that serious results very nearly followed. The savages looked upon Fry's action as an encroachment, and gathering a number of their braves together they rode through the country, tore down a number of newly erected but unoccupied cabins, burned fences and seized the stock belonging to several settlers. Fry and Joseph Brown visited the Indian camp to make reparation for the offense committed, which was rather more easily accomplished than they expected. The chief said that all would be well and no further depredations be committed, providing the white man (meaning Fry), would procure them a load of hay for their ponies. Brown and Fry -were compelled to go to Marion for the hay, an undertaking attended with many difiiculties, as they were compelled to cut their road through the woods for almost half the distance. The hay was unloaded at the Indian village in due time, and thereafter all was peace and harmony between the redskins and settlers. Fry was a native of Wayne County, but moved to this part of the country from Grant, where many years before he figured as a prominent pioneer. He was a zealous member of the Methodist Church, and it was at his cabin the first religious services in the eastern part of the county were held. He remained in this township about three years, when he traded his claim to Henry Bailey for a claim on the present site of Greentown, to which he moved his family in the summer of 1845.

William Jones came from Grant County, and " squatted " about onehalf mile north of Jerome, on Lily Creek. Here he erected a diminutive cabin, around which was cleared a small patch of ground, and for several years did teaming for the neighborhood. He was the owner of a large yoke of oxen, with which he made regular trips to Jonesboro for the purpose of hauling the settlers' grain to mill, and doing their marketing. He generally took half the grain for his trouble, which was not looked upon as exorbitant pay, considering the almost impassable roads over Avhich he was obliged to travel. Jones sold his possessions to Henry Hoover in 1848, and moved from the township.

Joseph Brown, the oldest inhabitant of the township living at the present time, was a resident of Grant County previous to his settlement here. He first saw this part of the country in 1843, while on a hunt for cattle belonging to his employer, Mr. Tyler, and, liking the appearance of the land, determined to locate here. He selected a spot for his cabin about one-half mile northeast of Jerome on Lily Creek, and soon had a habitation ready for occupancy. His family was soon transferred to their new home, and since that period Mr. Brown has been prominently identified with the growth and development of the township. At the present time, he is operating a mill very successfully at the village of Jerome. Moorman located near West Liberty, and was soon afterward joined by Elliott Mason, who settled in the same vicinity. They both came here from Grant County^ and for many years were residents of Union. John Farrington settled on the south bank of Wild Cat, one mile southeast of Jerome, where he took a claim. He traded this claim two years later to Ephraim Bates, who lived north of the creek, on the old Bailey place. He was a man of considerable energy and rare business qualifications, and became the possessor of a fine tract of real estate, which, at the present time, is in possession of his descendants.

James Husted was an odd character, who achieved quite a reputation among the early settlers as a successful bee-hunter and trapper. He was an unmarried man, and lived entirely alone, in a little rail pen, which he built about two and a half miles east of Jerome. He made no improvements, but spent all his time in the woods, trapping during the fall and winter season, and hunting wild honey in the summer time. From the sale of his furs and honey, he realized considerable money, which he hoarded away with miserly care. He remained in this part of the country until the game became scarce, when he packed his few household goods, and with them upon his back, departed for more congenial quarters further west.

Among other early settlers who came in about the same time, or perhaps a little later, were Elias Brown, brother of Joseph Brown, who located on Lily Creek, one mile north of Jerome, where he entered land in 1847, and Jefferson Horine, who settled about midway between West Liberty and Jerome, on the East Fork of Wild Cat, where his son, Samuel Horine, lives. Horine was a native of Kentucky, and proved a valuable acquisition to the community where he settled. He was the first physi- cian in the township, and early achieved quite a reputation for the successful manner in which he treated the chills and ague, so common in pioneer times.

Reuben Hawkins was another early settler deserving special notice. He came the latter part of 1844, and settled east of Joseph Brown's place, on Lily Creek, where he built the first mill in the eastern part of the county. He manufactured the buhrs for this mill out of two large " nigger heads " found near by. The machinery was operated by waterpower, ground very slow, but made a very fair article of meal. Hawkins afterward attached a turning-lathe, and, being an expert workman in wood, soon had all the work he could do making tables, stands, chairs, and various other articles of furniture, which he sold to the settlers of this and adjoining townships. He was a resident of Union about twenty-five years, dying in 1869.

Another early settler of note was Hampton Brown, father of Joseph and Elias Brown, whose arrival in the township dates from the year 1846. He was a native of Indiana, but passed his youth in Warren County, Ohio, where his father moved in an early day to escape the ravages of the Indians, who at that time were very troublesome in the southern part of the State. After attaining his majority, he moved back to Indiana and settled near Richmond, when that city was a mere hamlet of a half dozen cabins, and remained there until he immigrated to this county in the year mentioned. He made an entry of land in Section 11, and built his cabin on the present site of Jerome, of which village he was the proprietor. He was a resident of Union until the year 1871, and did as much toward the general development of the township as any other man within its boundaries. He died in the above year at a ripe old age, and left a large estate, which is in possession of his descendants. Harvey, Eugene, Jerome, Joel and Napoleon B. Brown, sons of Hampton Brown, came about the same time and located in the vicinity of Jerome. The first named resides in the township at the present time, and is justly considered one of its leading citizens. William Trader came in 1846 and located near the forks of Wild Cat, where he entered a quarter-section of land one year later. He was a person in whom were combined many of the elements of the successful business man and shrewd farmer, although his name cannot be placed in the calendar of saints by any means. It is said that he always had an abundance of pork for sale, although he never raised any hogs of his own. How this meat came into his possession is accounted for by the fact that all the early settlers' swine were allowed to run at large.

Additions were made to the township's population from time to time. Among the arrivals were Dr. Fisher, Philip Barkdull and his sons Albert and Joseph, George Jones, Dennis and Francis Cash, Nathan

Freeman and Jesse Dennis. In the years 1847 and 1848, after the lands came into market subject to entry, the following persons secured homes in Union : John Hogsdon, Daniel Eikenberry, Bernhard Hook, John Fellow, James Elmore, John Crousore, Thomas Ireland, Sanford Hestor, Theodore Hestor, Richard Parker, George M. Riffe, John M. Tennell, Reuben McKay, Pleasant Parker, Caleb Steeth, David Cox, Joseph Graves, Simon Davis, William Dickey, Benjamin Lewellen, Isaac Macy, John Barr, Benjamin Pickering, Dempsey Bailey, John Reese, A. Wright, David Seward, Archibald Leach, Jackson Pumphrey, Calvin Newton, William Reeves, William Rosier, John Henshaw, Silas Mitchell, S. A. Fletcher, Robert Wiley, Warner Brewer, Ezra Davis, Milton Barrett, Alexander Williamson, Robert L, Ward, Joseph Dillon, Levi Husten, Thomas E. Osborne, Riley Flora, Jonah Pierce, John Conner, Jesse Ware, William and David Boywell, Anson Courtright, Isaac Burns, Isaac Templin, John Shirley, James Cuthrell and John Allen.

Like the early settlers in all new countries, the pioneers of this township were compelled to endure many hardships and dangers. While it is true there were no hostile Indians to encounter, with the single exception alluded to, and no very ferocious beasts to guard against, yet the new condition of the country made it difficult to obtain wearing apparel, groceries, breadstuffs and other articles necessary to convenience and comfort. The pioneers practiced self-denial, for they left behind them the comforts and abundance of their old homes. They were few at first in numbers, but strong in their faith and courage. They developed a character of which their descendants and successors need not feel ashamed. Their necessities made them ingenious, their perils made them brave and their fewness made them sociable. Their community of wants and dangers made them sympathetic and helpful of each other. However scanty their fare, it was shared with the neighbor or stranger with a free-heartedness that gave a relish to the plain repast. However small and unsightly their cabin, its room and bed and genial warmth were divided with a cordiality that sweetened the welcome. Their social life was adorned with the graces of liberality and true friendship. They did wisely and well their peculiar work of laying the foundations that we might build upon them.

The greater amount of trading during the early days was done at Marion, Jonesboro, Peru, Logansport and Noblesville, some of the first settlers going as far as Indianapolis for their merchandise. Flour and meal were obtained from those places in the summer time, but during winter seasons when the condition of the early roads precluded the possibility of travel, many families manufactured their own breadstuff by hand, crushing the grain in a rude mortar made by hollowing out the top of a round stump. As the community increased in wealth and importance, the people enlarged their facilities for living more comfortably and with less toil and privation.

Saw And Grist Mills

The first mills in the township were those of James Lancaster and Reuben Hawkins, erected prior to 1846. Lancaster's stood a short distance northwest of Jerome, on Lily Creek. It was a very rude affair, operated by hand with a little help from the water of the creek. The grain was crushed with a pestle and mortar, and the proprietor took half of the grist for toll. A notice of Hawkins' mill will be found on a previous page.

In the year 1847, the Brown Brothers erected a water mill on Big Wild Cat, just south of the village of Jerome. It was a combination mill, did sawing and grinding, and was in operation until the year 1860, at which time it was torn down and the machinery used in the construction of the present mill which occupies the same spot. The original building was about 30x40 feet, two stories high and had two run of buhrs. The present mill is a large three-story frame building, 40x56 feet, with three run of buhrs, and a grinding capacity of about 100 bushels of grain per day. It is operated by Joseph Brown, present proprietor.

In the year 1875, William Jessup moved a steam flouring mill from Kokomo to the village of West Liberty, which proved a valuable acquisition to that part of the country, Jessup sold it before its completion to - Carr, who operated it a short time, when it was purchased by William McConnell. It passed through several hands and was finally bought by Mr. Covalt, the present owner, who has remodeled it and added new and improved machinery. A saw has been attached and certain days of each week are devoted to the lumber business.

A number of saw mills have been operated in various parts of the country from time to time, the majority of them being portable mills, and remaining but a few seasons in the same locality. The most important saw mill was erected near the western part of the township a number of years ago by Mr. Chandler, and is still in operation. It is one of the largest mills of the kind in the county.

It has been asserted, and wisely so, that the avenues of communication are an undoubted evidence of the state of society. The history of the world, from its earliest days, furnishes indisputable proofs of this now universally admitted truth ; as civilization progresses, inter-communication increases and the channels of trade are improved, while the conveyance of products and the movement of armies requii'e an unobstructed highway. Of the Eastern nations who comprehended the truth of this statement, the chief were the Romans, whose broad highways and ruined arches still remain to remind us of those masters of the Avorld. While in the Western Hemisphere, Mexican causeways and Peruvian stone-roads attest the vigor of a national life centuries departed. The first trails through the forests of this part of the country, ample for the aborigines of Indiana, and withal, equal to their capacity, have given place to a net-work of highways, which, though not comparable to the military roads of the Romans or ancient Mexicans, and perhaps inferior to the turnpikes to be seen in the older States, are yet, at least, equal to the requirements of a civilized people.

The first road in Union extended from near Jonesboro, in Grant County, to the forks of Wild Cat, near the central part of the township. It was cut out in 1843, by C. P. Baldwin, James Lancaster, C. 0. Fry, Thomas Moorman and Elliott Mason, who cleared away the brush and blazed the trees, thus marking the way so that travelers could find the route. The first legally established highway was known as the " Wabash trail," or Wabash and Strawtown State road. It led from Strawtown to Wabash, and crossed the township a short distance north of Jerome, and ran via Xenia and Somerset. It was never very extensively traveled and has of late years been entirely abandoned.

Anothei: early road led from Jonesboro to Kokomo via Jerome and Greentown. It was surveyed in 1847, by Dr. Richmond, and viewed by Joseph Brown, Tence Lindley and John Sharpe. Joseph Brown was elected the first Supervisor about this time. His force of hands consisted of twelve men, who were compelled to work over a district six miles in length, two miles being in Grant County. The Tipton & Xenia road was laid out north and south through the central part of the township in the year 1849. Like many other roads, it has undergone various changes during the last thirty years, and is still one of the leading highways in the eastern part of the county.

The Kokomo, Greentown & Jerome pike, which was completed in the year 1870. is the only gravel road in the township. It extends from Jerome in a northwesterly direction, and has proved a great benefit to the citizens of this part of the country. Its history will be more fully given in another chapter. A railroad line from Marion to La Fayette was run through this township in 1863, but no work was ever done. The original survey of the C, C. & I. C. Railroad passed through Union from east to west, but was abandoned for the more eligible route further west.

First Birth, Marriage And Death

child of Philip Barkdull. This event occurred in the year 1846, a short time after the family located in the community. Another child was born about eighteen months later to the same family, and was the second birth, as far as known. The earliest marriage traceable was solemnized in the year 1846, the contracting parties being Albert Barkdull and Miss Hawkins, daughter of Reuben Hawkins. The ceremony was performed by Levi Bailey, the first Justice of the Peace, who became so confused that considerable difficulty was experienced before the knot was tied.

The first burying i):round was laid out near the mouth of Lily Creek, west of Jerome. The ground was selected by Joseph and Elias Brown, in the year 1846, and the first interment took place shortly afterward. The first burial was a child of Philip , Barkdull, whose death occurred in the year mentioned. The second person buried in this cemetery was a stranger, whose name cannot be learned. He appears to have been a Mormon missionary, and died here while on a preaching tour. The Jerome Cemetery was laid out in an early day, on ground deeded for the purpose by William M. Laden. Among its somber shades on crumbling marble can be seen many names mentioned in these pages, while others, as prominently identified with the county's development, lie in the graves unmarked by the simplest epitaph.

Village Of Jerome

The chief cause which led to the founding of the village was a general desire on the part of the community for a trading point, there being no town nearer than Jonesboro on the east, and New London and Russiaville on the west. The immediate outgrowth of the demand was the establishment of a small store and blacksmith shop, as early as the year 1847, which formed the nucleus around which several families located. Hampton Brown, actuated by motives in harmony with the general desire and with hope of bettering his financial condition, laid out the village in December, 1847, and called it Jerome, in compliment to his son of that name. It is situated in the southwest quarter of Section 11, on Big Wild Cat, and occupies one of the finest locations in the entire county. The site is high and undulating, and surrounded by one of the most fertile farming districts in the township - a fact which made the village an important trading place during the early years oi its history.

The first sale of lots was made to Smith Todd and Thomas Banks a short time after the town was platted. Todd erected a blacksmith shop near the central part of the village, and worked at his trade until 1848, when he sold out to James Gardner. The latter continued in the village until the time of his death, in 1873. Banks built a storehouse and residence in the western part of the town, and was the first merchant in the place. He stocked his room with a miscellaneous assortment of merchandise, to the amount of about $500, and sold goods for three years, when the stock was purchased by Joel and C. Murphy. The latter parties continued business about two years, when, meeting with some financial reverses, they closed out and left the village.

Goflf & Allen erected a hewed-log building near the central part of the town, in 1853, and engaged in merchandising soon thereafter. They did a large business, with a stock valued at $3,500, and were identified with the town about four years, when they sold out to Harvey Brown. The latter erected a more commodious store room immediately after his purchase, to which his stock of goods were at once removed. This building is still standing, and at the present time is occupied by the store of James Stanley.

Brown continued in business very successfully for some years, when he sold to John Griffin, who in turn disposed of the stock to John Stone, a short time afterward. Biglow Jordan erected a large two-story business house about the year 1858, which he stocked as a general store. The upper story of the building was finished and furnished by the Good Templars, who fitted it up for a hall and used it for a number of years. Their organization was at one time the most flourishing of any in the county.

Among other old business houses of the place may be named the drug stores of B. Jordan, Daniel Moorman, Samuel Hawkins, Richard Freeman, J. J. Grifiin and Milton Davis, who appeared in the order named.

The first physician who located in the town was Dr. John Summers, who came to the place soon after the survey was made, and remained about nine years. He was followed by Dr. Jenkins, who came soon afterward. The other physicians who have practiced here from time to time were Drs. John Airlocker, Blaze, Smith, Goodrich, Eaton, Ellis and Kepley. The present physician is Dr. S. T. Murray.

In the year 1847, Francis Galway, a son-in-law of Hampton Brown, settled in the village and started a tan-yard. The enterprise proved very remunerative to the proprietor, who operated it successfully for a period of twelve years. It was purchased, in 1859, by John Willitts, who ran it about four years, when it was allowed to go down.

A stave and heading factory was built in the village in 1868, by Messrs. Allen & Patterson, who operated it but one year. It was afterward purchased by other parties and moved from the place. In the year 1880, the Worley Brothers moved a large steam saw mill to the village. It is in operation at the present time, and doing a fair business.

During the early days of the county, Jerome was a prominent business place, and sustained its reputation well until within a few years. It wa3 incorporated in the year 1877, and maintained a town organization for about three years, when the project was abandoned. Efforts were made by the citizens of the village and surrounding country to induce the Toledo, Delphos & Western Railroad to run through the town, but without avail. The road was constructed a couple of miles north, and, together with the growing village of Greentown, proved a serious blow to the business interests of Jerome, as it began to wane from that time. Merchants moved their stores to more eligible places, shops were closed, mechanics sought more remunerative fields of labor, and a general decay has fastened itself upon the once prosperous village. The business of the place at the present is represented by two stores, kept respectively by James Stanley and Branson Turner, one harness shop, one blacksmith shop, one grist mill, one aaw mill, and one good hotel.

West Liberty

This little thriving town is situated in Section 19, near the southwest corner of the township, and dates its history from the year 1849. The land on which the village stands was entered in 1847 by Israel Zentmyer, who erected a residence and blacksmith shop one year later. Moses Jones purchased the land of Zentmyer in the spring of 1849, and erected a large water mill northeast of the present village plat, which, with the blacksmith shop mentioned, gave the place quite a local reputation. Jones had the village surveyed the latter part of 1849, and immediately placed the lots in the market. One of the first residences was erected by John Barr, a son-in-law of Jones, and stood in the northwest part of the village.

The first business house was a little log building, about 16x20 feet, erected by Moses Rich as early as 1850, Rich did a good business with a stock valued at about $1,000, and was connected with the village as a merchant for twelve years, when he sold out to Mr. McQuillis, who moved the goods away. The second store building was erected by David Macy, and is still standing in the southwest part of the town. Macy was a prominent merchant, and operated an extensive store for about five years, when he closed out and left the place. Among other early merchants were Lewis Sharpe, who occupied the Macy building for two years ; Allen & Goff, and Jacob Harvey, all of whom did business between the years 1856 and 1866.

the year 1860, and stocked it with a miscellar:eous assortment of merchandise, to the amount of several thousand dollars. They afterward sold to Mr. Conway, who in turn disposed of the store to Irvin Tennell about the year 1863. The building stands in the southeastern part of the town, and at the present time is used for a blacksmith shop. One of the largest stores in the place was kept by Beckett & Weaver, who handled a stock of goods estimated at about $10,000. They did a very extensive business for some time, and finally closed out on account of financial embarrassments. Lester, Covalt k Curtes succeeded them.

D. S. Swan erected the Simpson building in the year 1868, and was for several years identified with the business interests of the village. Simpson and Lee formed a copartnership in 1878. The entire interest was afterward purchased by Simpson, who at the present time is the leading merchant of the place. He keeps a general assortment of merchandise, including ready-made clothing, boots, shoes and drugs. Mr. Curtes keeps a general store also, and is doing a fair business.

Jones' mill, to which reference has been made, was a large three-story frame building, with two runs of buhrs and saw attached. It was in operation until the year 1862, at which time it was completely destroyed by fire. A furniture shop was started in 1859 by William Barr, who continued the business with moderate success for several years.

The earliest physician was Dr. Augustus Weaver, who located at the village in the year 1855. Since that time the following medical gentlemen have practiced their profession in the town and surrounding country : Drs. Ransom, William Wilson, C M. Ware, James Simpson and Dr. Price.

The village is situated in one of the wealthest farming communities in the eastern part of the county, and at the present time boasts of a population of two hundred persons. It commands a large country trade, and its future outlook is bright and prosperous.

CHURCHES. The history of Christianity in Union Township may be ternled coeval with its settlement, the majority of the pioneers being active members of different religious organizations. The earliest preachers of whom there is any authentic account made their appearance as early as the year 1844, and were of the Methodist denomination. The first public services were held at C. 0. Fry's residence, which served as a meeting place during the time he remained in the township. Meetings were held at different settlers' houses from time to time, and in groves when the weather would admit of out-door services. Among the pioneer soldiers of the cross can be named Revs. Evans, Colclazer, Lowe, Garrigus, Doyle, Cobb and Morrison, all of whom were men of ability and marked piety.

The first church edifice in the township was a little log structure built by the Quakers near the forks of Wild Cat in the year 1848, It was the meeting place for a large Society of Friends which flourished for a number of years during the early history of the county ; the organization was well maintained for some time, but owing to deaths and removals it was finally abandoned, the remaining members identifying themselves with societies of other places. The earliest preachers were Jesse Dennis and Hannah Mason. The old building stood until the year 1871, at which time it was torn away, and nothing remains to mark its location but a pile of rubbish and decayed logs.

Jerome Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in the year 1847, with a small but energetic membership. The services were held for a couple of years at residences of the different members, and afterward at the village schoolhouse, which was the regular place of meeting until the re-organization in 1853. The class was brought about chiefly by the labors of Rev. M. S. Morrison and Jacob Colclazer, both of whom worked diligently to place the society upon a firm basis. At a meeting held at the schoolhouse in 1853, a re-organization was effected under the labors of Rev. S. V. Rhodes and M. Mahin, v/ith the following members : William L. Reed and wife, Isaac Reed and wife, Philip Hawkins, Sr., and wife, .Reuben Hawkins and wife, Dr. J. M. Everlougher and wife, M. M. Addington and wife and Miss Lydia Reed. The schoolhouse served as a place of worship until the year 1857, at which time a substantial building, 30x40 feet, was erected in the east part of the village, on ground purchased of Hampton Brown. This house stood until 1874, when it caught fire and was completely destroyed. A second house of worship was built on the same spot immediately afterward, at a cost of about $1,200. This building is a neat frame structure, 30x45 in size, and will comfortably accomodate three hundred persons. The pastors who have ministered to the society at different times are given as follows : Revs. Morrison, Colclazer, Forbes, Rhodes, Marks, Gorrell, Hoback, Templin, McElwee, Shackleford, Miller, Peck, Curry, J. W. Miller, Lewellen, Watkins, Harrison, Bearaer, Fish, John McElwee, Baker, and Wilcox, the present incumbent. The present oflBcers of the church are : O. T. Florea and H. D. Kepler, Trustees; 0. T. Florea, class leader. A flourshing Sabbath school, numbering from forty to eighty scholars, is among the most interesting and progressive features of the church. E. S. Lancaster is the Superintendent and also one of the earnest workers of the congregation.

New Hope Friends' Church was orgalnized in the 3^ear 1858, at the residence of Jesse II. Ellis, with a membership consisting of Edmund Peelle and wife, Jesse H. Ellis and wife, Joel iVdams and wife, together with the chil- dren of their respective families. Public worship was conducted at Ellis* residence for a period of one year, and afterward for about the same length of time in an old unoccupied frame dwelling which stood in the vicinity. A few years later, a log meeting-house was built near the site of the present church edifice, and used by the congregation until the year 1871, at which time it was abandoned and a structure more in keeping with the growing church erected. This house is a neat frame building, and stands in the southern part of the township on ground donated for the purpose by Edmund Peelle. During a period of eight years following its organization, the society had no regular preaching, although services were held each Lord's Day, conducted by different members, while many of their meetings were held in silence, a custom peculiar to the denomination. At the close of the period referred to, Mary J. Peelle began speaking in public, and was soon acknowledged as a minister of more than ordinary abilities. She supplied the pulpit at intervals for several years, and by her untiring efforts did much toward establishing the church upon its present substantial basis. Endowed with superior intellectual powers and a spirit of rare Christian fervor, her whole life was a grand poem of consecration to the cause of her Master, and the influence of her eloquent words and blameless example will always live in the community where she was instrumental in directing many souls to the higher life. It is under the influence of such persons that stern men of the world, who have squandered life and innocence without a sigh, are compelled to admit the truthfulness of the Christian religion and conform their conduct to its pure teachings.

Following the example of Mrs. Peelle came other ministers, among whom were Edmund Peelle, James Ellis, Hammer Ellis and Jefferson Jackson, all of whom are men of prominence in the country. To the work of Hammer Ellis is the church especially indebted for much of its present prosperity, as he has watched over its growth with a fatherly interest ever since the original organization.

In this connection it will not be out of place to speak of the temperance cause which has made substantial progress in this part of the county under the leadership of Mr. Ellis, whose best energies are devoted to its success. Notwithstanding the unfavorable auspices under which the society was founded, it has done a good work and increased its membership until at the present time it numbers 250 communicants. A good Sabbath school is sustained during the entire year.

Centre Grove Baptist Church was organized March 21, 1869, by Elder Jari Randolph, assisted by Elders Hamilton and Baumgardner. A revival was held immediately after the organization, at the close of which sixty-five persons assumed the responsibility of membership, a number which has decreased somewhat during the last ten years. Elder Randolph preached for the society one year and was succeeded by Elder Graham, who continued in charge about four years. After Graham came Elders Baumgardner, Hamilton, Spurlin, White and Turner, in the order named, the last being the pastor at the present time. The house of worship, which is a neat frame structure, was built in 1869, and stands about three miles south of the village of Jerome. There are at present about forty -five belonging to the society.

The Christians, or Disciples, as they are more familiarly known, have a flourishing church at the village of Jerome. The house of worship is a beautiful frame structure situated in the southern part of the village, and was erected in the year 1860, at a cost of about $1,500. Elder Blount is the present pastor.

Mr. Brown reports that the first school ever taught in Union was in the year 1845, by Mrs. C. P. Baldwin, at her residence, about one and a half miles east of Jerome Village. The few neighbors living in the vicinity sent their children and made a school of about eight pupils. The second school was taught about three years later, in a vacant dwelling which stood on the North Fork of Lily Creek, a short distance north of Jerome, and numbered twenty scholars. The next in order was at the village of Jerome, taught by L. F. Springer, who used for the purpose a small log store building which had been vacated some time previous. The date of the term was the winter of 1849-50. These were pioneer schools, and, considering the circumstances, were very good indeed. The only Latin they ever taught was to make their pupils pronounce the letter Z, " izzard."

The people of those days, compared with the present, had some very healthy ideas about education. They believed a school was a place of training in the three " R's," and that its usefulness stopped with the " rule of three." It was some time before the rudest log schoolhouses were erected. The people were sparsely scattered through the neighborhoods. They were poor in this world's goods, as a rule. Teachers were scarce and so were books. There were a goodly proportion of the grown people who failed to appreciate the benefits of education, hence did not realize the importance of teaching their children to read and write, in onier to prepare them for what was soon to follow, namely, mail facilities, cheap postage and abundant and cheap literature.

The first house built especially for school purposes stood a short disance north of Jerome. It was a comfortable hewed-log structure, with slab seats, and was erected in the year 1850. It was first used by Charles Baldwin, who taught in the winter of 1850-51, and the following year Jonathan Grifiin wielded the birch in the same place. The building stood about five years, when it was replaced by a two-story frame house, the upper story of which served as ;r Masonic hall. The latter building was the first frame schoolhouse in the township, and served its purpose until about the year 1862, at which time it was completely destroyed by tire. Among the early teachers in the village are remembered Patterson, Plants and Van Winkle.

JACOB ARHEART was born October 12, 1818, in York County, Penn. ; is the son of David and Mary (Hoke) Arheart, of Pennsylvania, and of German descent; his parents came to Ohio about the year 1832, and purchased a farm, on which they lived until their death in 1841 and 1842, respectively. Jacob Arheart was reared on the farm, and at the age of sixteen began the shoe-maker's trade. He was married, April 25, 1839, to Miss Lucinda Evers, daughter of David and Rachel (McDaniel)

Evers, natives of Maryland, and of German and Irish descent. Mr. Arheart continued to work at his trade, and to farm in Ohio, until 1844, when he came to Burlington, Rush County, Ind., where he purchased property, and worked eleven years at his trade ; he then sold out, and moved to Howard County, locating in Union Township, where he purchased a farm of eighty acres, which he began to clear and improve. By close industry and diligence, he has been able to clear out a beautiful home for his family, with all the necessary improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Arheart have had seven children, four of whom are living - Maud, Mary M., William H. and Elizabeth L. J., all of whom are married. Mi'. Arheart is an active politician in the Democratic ranks, and cast his first ballot for Martin Van Buren in 1839, and Mrs. Arheart is an active member of the Christian Church.

J. W. ARMFIELD is the third of a family of six children born to Calvin C. and Peniah E. (Orsborn) Armfield, natives of Guilford County, N. C, and of English descent. Calvin C Armfield came to Henry County, Ind., in 1849, and there remained about eight years, when he came to Howard County and purchased a farm of forty acres, near Greentown, in Liberty Township. He has added to this, and now has a good home of eighty acres. J. W. Armfield was born October 3, 1850, and spent his youth upon the farm. He was married, August 9, 1873, to Miss Samantha 0. Chandler, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Hiott) Chandler, natives of Ohio and North Carolina. They have six children - Lydia B., Leonard D., Lele Pearl, Lorena C, Lawrence W. and Leo. Mr. Armfield is at present located on a farm of 220 acres, near Centre Post Office, Howard County; he has all necessary improvements to make home pleasant, and deals extensively in hogs and cattle, shipping to Chicago, Cincinnati and Indianapolis. Mr. Armfield is an active politician, voting with the Republican party, and his wife is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is one of its most active members.

WILLIAM BAGWELL, one of the prominent farmers and old pioneers of LTnion Township, settled in Howard County in March, 1847, when the land was in its native state ; he is the third son of six children born to Levi and Elizabeth (Garris) Bagwell, natives of North Carolina, and of French and Irish descent. William Bagwell was married, January 18, 1832, to Sarah Privett, daughter of Wiley and Nancy (Crabb) Privett, natives of North Carolina and Virginia, and of Irish and French descent. Mr. and Mrs. Bagwell have had five children - Jane A., Nancy M., Wiley M., James E. and George W., three of whom are yet living. Mr. Bagwell is a prominent citizen, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church. George W., the youngest of the children, was born May 23, 1853. He was reared on his father's farm, and received a good common school education. He is an industrious young man, is a genial gentleman, and a worthy member of the United Brethren Church. Wiley M,, the third child, was a soldier in the late rebellion, and was killed at Baken Creek, Ky., by the enemy, while attempting to join his regiment.

WILLIAM CARR was the fourth of seven children born to William and Susan Carr, natives of Ohio, and of English descent ; his father came to Richmond, Wayne Co., Ind., about the year 1838, and later located in Rush County, where he engaged in the milling business, owning a combined saw and flouring mill on Ben Davis Creek ; he subsequently made sale of this mill, and purchased a farm, and built a mill, which he continued to operate until 1854, when he sold out, and came to Howard County. He purchased a farm of 100 acres in Union Township, and also bought a mill. He worked in the mill a short time, and then exchanged it for a farm north of Jerome, upon which he lived until his death in September, 1880. The subject of this sketch was born in Rush County, Ind., August 19, 1841 ; he spent his youth on the farm, and was married, March 12, 1868, to Miss Alwilda Kates, daughter of John and Rachel (Pierce) Kates, natives of Tennessee, and of English descent. Mr. Carr has continued farming since his marriage, and is at present located on a well-improved farm of sixty acres, near Jerome. Mr. and Mrs. Carr have had four children - Dora E., Charley, Erley and John, all of whom are living. Mr. Carr is a prominent citizen, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.

WILLIAM CHAPPELL was born in Henry County, Ind., January 14, 1832, and the son of Joshua and Sarah (Carter) Chappell, natives of North Carolina ; his parents had eleven children, two of whom, Mary and Malinda, were born in North Carolina; his father removed to Oxford, Butler County, Ohio, where he worked as a farm hand; he was a brick mason by trade, and assisted in building the first brick house erected in Oxford. In 1820, he removed to Henry County, Ind., locating on a rented farm, but in 1823 he purchased a farm of eighty acres on which he lived five years ; he then sold his form and removed to New Castle, where he engaged in the grocery business seven years, when he sold his stock and engaged in the hotel business for ten years. During this time, he was Deputy Sheriff under Tabor McKee, after which he was elected Sheriff" and served two successive terms. He was a prominent Republican. After his second term expired, he located on a farm in the same county and remained until 18t)3, when he sold out and purchased 290 acres of land in Madison County, and there lived until his death in 1872; his wife died the following year. While they lived in Henry County they had nine children - William, John E., Anna, Joshua, Matilda, Clement, Elizabeth, Harriet and Charles D. Mr. and Mrs. Chappell were among the most active members of the New-Light Church. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and received a common school education. He was married, in 1852, to Helen Carter, daughter of John and Hannah (Quick) Carter. Mr- Chappell, after his marriage, remained on the farm with his father until 1858, when he removed to Howard County, locating on forty acres of land on the banks of the Wild Cat, in Union Township ; here he began to clear the land and prepare a home for his family ; he endured many of the privations of pioneer life, and by economy and industry he has been able to odd to his home fifteen acres more, and now has a fine farm of fifty-five acres, well improved, making a beautiful home. Mr. Chappell was a prominent member of the Union League during the war. He is an active member of the I. 0. 0. F., and was Secretary of the Grange organization. He is an active worker in the Republican party and has held offices of honor and trust ; he is now serving his second term as Justice of of Peace of Union Township. Mrs. Ellen Chappell is identified with the U. B. Church, and is one of its most active members. While not blessed with children of their own, they have reared many children, giving them good homes.

LEMUEL L. COHEE was born in Kent County, Del., March 17, 1845, and is the son of Hinson G. and Anna (Longfellow) Cohee, of Delaware ; his parents were both members of the Baptist Church. Lemuel, on account of the early death of his parents, lived with his brother Jacob until he was twelve years of age, after which he lived six years with his brotiier-in-law, John Cook. In 1863, he came to Rush County, Ind., where he remained two years, and then came to Howard County and engaged as a farm hand in Union Township at $16 per month wages. In January, 1869, he was married to Mary Ann Flemming, daughter of Jesse and Margaret (Carr) Flemming, of Howard County. This union was blessed with three children. Mrs. Cohee died May 26,- 1874, a prominent member of the Christian Church. Mr. Cohee was next married, August 21, 1875, to Serilda J. Melton, born November 14, 1856, daughter of Jacob R. Melton, a native of Indiana, and Martha (Downey) Melton, born in Kentucky. They were of English and German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Cohee have had four children, two of whom are living - Emma May, born July 6, 1866, and Alvin M., born October 18, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Cohee are both prominent members of the Christian Church.

LEVI CONNER, M. D., was born in Tipton County, Ind., March 25, 1850, and is the son of William and Louisa A, (Plummer) Conner ; his father was a native of Meigs County, Ohio, and of Irish descent ; his mother was born in Marion County, Ind., of German parents. William Conner settled in Tipton County in the year 1847, and there entered eighty acres in Wild Cat Township, where he cleared a home from the forest for himself and family. Mr. and Mrs. Conner had four children - Levi, Elizabeth (deceased), Nathan and William J. (deceased). Mr. Conner died June 9, 1855, and three years later Mrs. Conner was married to M. L. Bolden. Levi Conner, for two years after his father's death, resided with his guardian, Nathan Smith, after which he spent a year in Wisconsin with his mother and step-father ; he then lived a year with his uncle, Zimri Plummer, in Wayne County, Ind., after which, his mother having returned from Wisconsin, he resided with her in Tipton County, until January, 1863. He then made his home with Dr. James A, Ellis, of Union Township, Howard County, for five years, after which he attended school at Kokomo, and later at New London. He then attended the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, where he graduated in 1872. He taught school at^ Fairfield a short time, and at the close of his school teaching he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. J. A. Ellis. He, in 1873, -attended one course of lectures in the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati, after which he returned and began his practice in partnership with Dr. Ellis. Shortly afier this, he was married to Miss Emma Maris, daughter of George and Martha (Braxtan) Maris, of Kokomo. This union was blest with two children - Josephine and William G. (deceased). Mrs. Conner died November 20, 1878, after which Mr. Conner, on account of failing health, discontinued his practice forayearand in the fall of 1879 entered the Medical College at Cincinnati, graduating in March, 1880 ; returned home and resumed his practice, and in January, 1881, he was again married to Emma Shrader, daughter of William and Rebecca (Pyle) Shrader. of Union Township, this county. This union was blessed with one child, Bertha. Dr. Conner is a member of the Knights of Pythias, I. 0. 0. F. and Masonic fraternity.

JAMES CURLES was born January 13, 1839, and is the son of Samuel and Hannah A. (Brown) Curies natives of New Jersey, and of English descent. Mr. Samuel Curies located in Brown County, Ohio, about the year 1818, and was there married to Hannah A. Brown, daughter of William Brown, of New Jersey, and of English descent. By this marriage, he obtained a small farm, which he shortly increased to 125 acres, and in 1857 added 150 acres more, making in all 275 acres, on which he still lives. Mr. and Mrs. Curies had thirteen children - William, Nancy J., Asher, James, Elizabeth, Mahala, Joseph, Marion, Sarah F., Randolph, Hannah A., Mary and John, seven of Avhom are yet living. Mrs. Curies died in the fall of 1862, a prominent member of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Curies having the care of a large family, married, in the spring of 1864, Mary Fedrick, to which union were added eleven children, all of whom are now living. Mr. Curies has been an active politician, voting in an early day with the Whig party, and subsequently with the Republican. He is a member of the United Brethren Church, and his wife is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. James Curies was reared on the farm, and at the age of eighteen, attended the National Normal School of Lebanon, Ohio, for one term, after which he spent two years on the farm. He subsequently returned to Lebanon, and later taught several terms of school. On New Year's Day, 1862, he enlisted, in Company I, Sixtieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, or the one year regiment, and was mustered in at Fayetteville. He was placed under Gen. J. C. Fremont, and was ordered to follow closely Gen. Jackson, and after about seven days' forced march, arrived at Franklin, Va. Here he was taken sick, and lay in his tent about four weeks, and was then taken to New Creek Station, where he was placed in a hospital. He remained there until July 4, when he was taken home to Ohio, by his father. The 1st of October, he went to Columbus, Ohio, and reported, and was sent to re-join his regiment, which was stationed at Chicago, on account of the Indian trouble, but this subsiding they were discharged. Mr. Curies, in December, 1862, engaged in the mercantile business in Fayetteville, which he continued one year, and April 16, 1863, he was married to Clorinda Covalt, daughter of Cheniah and Deborah (Jones) Covalt, of Ohio, and of English descent. The following winter, he disposed of his stock, and taught in Fayetteville, and the fall of 1864, in company with his father-in-law, came to Union Township, Howard County, and engaged in business at West Liberty, with a stock of $3,000, under the firm name of Covalt & Curies. After remaining there ten years, they traded their store for sixty acres, two miles southeast of West Liberty, and Mr. Curies lived on this farm until the fall of 1881, when he purchased a lot of five acres, upon whicli he built one of the finest residences in the village. Mr. Curies, upon the death of his fiither-in-law, in the fiill of 1882, again engaged in the goods business, in which he ha^ now a large and increasing trade. Mr. and Mrs. Curies have had five children, three of whom - Stella D., Demma M. and Eddison D. are still living. Mr. Curies is an active politician in the Republican party, and cast his first vote for President Lincoln, in 1860. He and his wife are identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are among its most active members.

JOHN A. CUTHRELL was born November 14, 1841, and is the son of Joseph B. Cuthrell, a native of North Carolina ; his father located in Rush County, and was there married in 1838 to Anna Bingaman, daughter of Allen and Bethanal Bingaman. They remained upon a farm in Rush County until 1848, when they came to Howard County, and entered 120 acres of land in Union Township. Mr. Cuthrell then returned with his family to Rush County, where they remained two years, after which they returned to Union Township, located on the land he had entered, built a log cabin, and began foresting out a home. By industry and economy, he was able to add sixty-six acres to this, making in all 186 acres of choice land. Mr. and Mrs. Cuthrell had seven children - John A., Mary M., Samantha A., Elizabeth H., Sarah J., Anna M. and Joseph F., four of whom are living. Mr. Cuthrell was an active politician, voting with the Whig party and afterward with the Republican, until his death in 1876. He and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The subject ^? this sketch was reared on a farm and received a common school education. He was married to Anna Quick, daughter of John S., and Sydney (Conner) Quick, of Howard County. Shortly after his marriage, he went upon his father's farm and there remained until the winter of 1863, when he purchased thirty-five acres joining his father's land. By industry and diligence, he has since been able to add 115 acres more, making 150 acres of fine farm land. Mr. and Mrs. Cuthrell have had five children - Alwilda, Joseph F., John W., Jessey D. and Anna, four of whom are living. Mrs. Cuthrell died February 20, 1878. She was identified with the Christian Church. Mr. Cuthrell was next married, June 24, 1878, to Miss Mary J. Knox, daughter of William and Clorinda (Heward) Knox, of Union Township. Mr.°Cuthrell has been a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity since 1864 ; he is an active worker in the Republican ranks, and was a member of the Union League during the war. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Cuthrell was drafted in November, 1864, and went to Kokorao, where he remained overnight in the barracks, but on examination the next morning was found unable for duty, and was exempted.

ROBERT FELLOW was born in Wayne County, N. C, February 2, 1828, and is the son of John and Abigail (Coleman) Fellow, natives of North Carolina and of English descent. John Fellow came to Wayne County, Ind., in 1832, and entered a farm of eighty acres, which he began to clear and cultivate, being one of the early pioneers of that county. In 1852, he came to Howard County and purchased 115 acres of land in Union Township, to which he subsequently added forty acres. Robert spent his boyhood days on his father's firm, and at the age of twenty-four was married" to Elizabeth Hubbard, daughter of Joseph and Charity (Fodrey) Hubbard, of Randolph County, Ind. This union was blessed with three children - Mary Miller, born July 15, 1856 ; James Riley, born February 10, 1858, died January 20, 1875 ; and William Harvey, born May 1, 1861. Mrs. Fellow died August 2, 1874, and Mr. Fellow married March 4, 1876, Rlioda George, born April 28, 1838, and daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth (Jessip) George, of English descent. Mr. Fellow is at present the owner of thirty-five acres of good farm land three miles southeast of Jerome. Mr. Fellow and wife are identified with the New Hope Friends' Church, and are among its most active members.

ORANGE T. FLOREA was born May 13, 1847, in Rush County, Ind., and spent his early life on the farm ; he obtained a good common school education, and was married, August 31, 1871, to Miss Mattie Smith, daughter of Ebenezer Smith, a native of South Carolina, born June 14. 1804, and Mary A. (Iladden) Smith, born in South Carolina in 1809. Mrs. Florea's parents were married June 12, 1828, and located in Rush County in May, 1834. This union was blessed with thirteen children, two of whom died in infancy. In 1829, Mr. Smith united with the church, and was always one of its most active and happy members until his death. In 1871, Mrs. Smith came with her children to this county, and located on a farm in Union Township. Orange T. first obtained land in Grant County, and subsequently purchased ninetysix acres in this county, where he now resides. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1857, and his wife united with the same church in 1872. Mr. Florea's great-grandfather's name was Albert Florea ; he married Miss Charity Baker, and they had ten children - Rebecca, Elizabeth, Charity, Nancy, Mary, Ruth and Rachel (twins), John, Isaac and Joshua. Joshua Florea, our subject's grandfather, was born October 14, 1787 ; was a native of Kentucky, and of German and French descent. He was married, August 3, 1812, to Mary Spurgin, born in Kentucky December 20, 1794, and was of English descent. This union was blessed with the following children - John, born July 11, 1813; Cyrus, born June 20, 1819,; William Riley, born November 8, 1821; Joseph and Josiah (twins*), born October 30, 1823; Jordon, born November 26, 1825, died October 3, 1826; and Morris, born September 4, 1830, died June 18, 1831. Joshua Florea was a soldier in the war of 1812; he died February 28, 1867, and his wife survived him over two years, and died October 6, 1869. Cyrus Florea, the father of our subject, was married January 13, 1841, to Miss Almira Keever, born August 18, 1822. They had six children - Orange T., born May 13, 1847; Mary J., born October 19, 1848; Josh E., born May 17, 1850 ; Sarah E., born September 15, 1852, died July 1, 1854 ; Joseph Dale, born July 5, 1854, died October 9, 1860 ; Florella A., born December 24, 1856. Mr. Florea is an industrious farmer, an excellent gentleman, and a worthy citizen in the community in which he resides.

20, 1828, and is the son of David and Margaret (Boon) Gilson, natives of Virginia and Tennessee, and of Irish and German descent; his father was born in 1794, and came to Rush County about the year 1821. He entered forty acres of land two miles north of Rushville, and subsequently added forty acres to this ; he afterward sold this tract, and purchased 160 acres one mile further north, upon which he is now living, enjoying the fruits of a successful life; he was an early pioneer of Rush County, and he and wife are prominent members of the Baptist Church. William Gilson was reared upon his father's farm, and received the advantages of a common school education; he engaged in the saw mill business for five years, and in 1861 he sold his mill, came to Howard County, and purchased a farm of sixty acres, two miles northeast of Jerome ; he returned to Rush County, and was married to Ivy A. David, born July 27, 1837, daughter of Jacob and Catharine (Kiplinger) David, of German descent. Shortly after his marriage, he located on his farm in Howard County, where he lived until August, 1874, when he exchanged this farm for 110 acres two miles southeast of Jerome, upori which he is still living. Mr. Gilson is an active politician in the Democratic ranks, but cast his first ballot for Zachariah Taylor in 1848. He was Treasurer of the Grange movement, and his wife is identified with the Christian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Gilson have had the following children: Margaret C, born May 28, 1863, died August 25, 1864 ; David E., born February 27, 1865; Jacob B., born April 26, 1867 ; and John F., born August 30, 1869, and died August 21, 1871. .

WILLIAM HANCOCK, born November 16, 1828, in Delaware, is the eldest of three sons born to John and Claracy (Billings) Hancook ; his father died in 1834, and in 1835 his mother moved with her family to Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio. There his mother was married to William Truitt, after which, she and her husband located in Raysville, Henry County, Ind. Mr. Truitt rented a farm, and our subject worked until 1839, when he removed with his parents to Rush County, where he received a limited education in the common schools. In 1849, he was married to Sarah J. Gorman, daughter of Daniel and Hannah (Corbin) Gorman. Her father worked at the carpenter's trade until 1822, when he was married, and began farming. Mr. Hancook, soon after his marriage, purchased forty acres of land, where he remained until 1852. when he removed to Howard County, and purchased 120 acres of land in Union Township. Here he erected a log cabin, and began to clear from the forest a home. He still resides here, and now owns eighty acres of as beautiful land as can be found in Union Township. Mr. and Mrs. H., have five children - John W., Hannah A., William D., Mary E. and Jessie F. Mr. Hancook has been an active member of the Masonic order since 1864, and his wife has received the degree bestowed upon her sex. He is an active worker in the Republican party, and has hehi offices of honor and trust. He is at present Trustee of Union Township, serving his third term. Mr. and Mrs. Hancook are identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are among its most active members.

JOHN J. HANCOOK is the second son of the three children of John and Claracy (Billings) Hancook. He was born February 1, 1831, and was reared upon a farm, receiving a common school education. At the age of twenty-two, he was married to Marilda J. Simpson, daughter of Solomon and Lovicia (Conaway) Simpson, natives of Indiana. Seven years after his marriage, he came to Howard County, and purchased forty acres in Union Township ; he has since added to this until now he has a good farm of eighty acres, with all necessary improvements to make home pleasant. Mrs. Hancook was a member of the Christian Church, and died in January, 1865, leaving three children - Sarah L. Tolle, born October 14, 1854 ; J. J. and J. M., born July 22, 1858. Mr. Hancook was next married, April 29, 1867, to Samantha A. Ballenger, widow of Robert Ballenger, who was captured at the battle of Franklin, Tenn., and died in the Andersonville Prison, Mr. and Mrs. Ballenger had one child - Anna E. Shockley. To Mr. and Mrs. Hancook was born one child - William B., March 5, 1872. Mrs. Hancook is the daughter of Joseph and Anna (Bingaman) Cuthrell, natives of North Carolina and Indiana. Mr. Hancook is an active politician in the Republican ranks, and has held the office of Assessor of Union Township four successive terms. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.

WILLIAM HATFIELD, farmer, was born in Franklin County, Ind., October 8, 1822, and is the son of John and Drusilla (Blackburn) Hatfield. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, his mother of Kentucky. John Hatfield came to Rush County, Ind., about the year, 1828, and entered 160 acres of land one and a half miles west of Andersonville, where he made for himself a good home. Our subject was reared upon a farm, and received a limited education from the common schools. At his majority, he was married to Miss Mary E. Jones, born April 14, 1826, daughter of George and Sarah (Summers) Jones, of Welsh and English descent. Four years after his marriage, Mr. Hatfield came to Howard County and entered 160 acres of land, near Sycamore Corner, in Jackson Township. After remaining there seven years, he sold his claim and moved to Liberty Township, where he purchased eighty acres one mile east of Greentown. In this township, he lived six years, and then bought 120 acres, one mile northeast of Jerome, upon which he ij still living. Mr. and Mrs. Hatfield, have had six children - Isabel J. (Brown), born November 11, 1846 ; Sarah E. (Benson), born May 16, 1851 ; Joseph H., born August 27, 1853; L. D., born February 20, 1859 ; William A., born July 12, 1863, and Luella, born October 21, 1866. Mr. HatfieM is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, and his wife is identified with the Christian Church,

JACOB JESSUP is the eighth of nine children born to John and Mary (Smith) Jessup, natives of Pennsylvania. He was born June 7, 1823, in Hamilton County, Ohio, and came with his parents to Parke County, Ind., the same year, where he spent his boyhood on the farm and attended school in the pioneer schoolhouse. He was married, March 16, 1848, to Nancy J. Sparks, born May 25, 1831, in Indiana. He fell heir to the old homestead, upon which he lived four years, when he sold it and moved to this county in the fall of 1852, locating in Union Township, where he at present resides. This farm he has cleared and cultivated until now he has one of the best farms in the township, with all the modern improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Jessup, had ten children - Elizabeth, Mary C, Minerva, Emily (deceased), Anna E., Sarah E., Lydia I., John W., Amanda and Florence (deceased). Mrs. Jessup was an active member of the Christian Church until her death, January 19, 1866. Mr. Jessup was married in April, 1872, to Hester A. Sprunce. They have one child - Gertrude. Mr. Jessup has been identified with the Christian Church for over forty years. He was Chaplain of the Grange organization, and is an active politician in the Democratic party. Mr. Jessup, while in Parke County, came in conflict with a catamount, and after a struggle came off conqueror.

JAMES J. LORD was born in Kent County, Del., October 11, 1828, and was the son of Andrew and Letitia (Reed) Lord, Andrew Lord, of English descent, was a farmer of Delaware. He was married to Letitia Reed, of Scotch- Irish descent, in 1814. They had ten children - William H., Sarah A, Catherine A., Jeanetta, Mary A., John A., Letta J., James J., Jonathan L. and Richard T. C. ; six now living. Andrew Lord died in 1835, and two years later his wife and family moved to Belmont County, Ohio, where they remained two years, when they located in Butler County, Ohio. Two years later, they removed to Rush County, Ind., where she remained until her death, September 20, 1875. James J. Lord was reared on a farm, having the advantage of the common school, but, under necessities of work, having with older brother the care of the family, he received but a limited education. He was married in Rush County, Ind., October 11, 1855, to Miss Sarah Billing, daughter of Andrew and Harriet (VVyat) Billing, of Delaware. He lived in Rush County until 1 860, when he removed to Howard County, Ind., and purchased an -eighty-acre farm on the banks of Wild Cat, near the village of West Lib- erty. By hard work he succeeded in clearing out a home, and by diligence and economy has added 100 acres more, making him a farm of 180 acres of well-improved land. Mr. and Mrs. Lord have had seven children - William A., Joseph L., Francis 0., Lilly J., Annie E., Thomas E. and Harriet L., five now living. Mr. Lord was a prominent member of the Union League during the dark hours of his country ; he holds the position of Worthy Chief in the Good Templar Lodge, and has occupied a prominent membership in the Grange movement, holding the office of Worthy Master. Mr. Lord is an active politician, voting with the Republican party since 1849, and he and wife are among the most active members of the Christian Church.

JOHN MANN is the eldest of seven children born to Joseph and Rebecca (Gibson) Mann, natives of Virginia ; he was born August 1, 1822, in Monr,oe County, Va., where he remained until he was fourteen, and in 1837 removed with his parents to Henry County, Ind. Here he worked out by the month until he was twenty-eight years of age, and in 1850 came to this county, locating on eighty acres he had purchased a few years before. He has added to this until now he has a good farm of 164 acres, with all the modern improvements, all of which he has accumulated by hard labor and economy. Mr. Mann was married, December 7, 1848, to Barbara Fatic, a native of Virginia. She was the fifth child born to Andrew and Barbara (Thumma) Fatic, both natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Mann have two children - Christina Brown, born August 6, 1850, and William F., born July 16, 1852. Mr. M. is at present County Surveyor. Mr. Mann attended school only eighteen months during his life, and has taken a pride in giving his children a good education. He was at one time Township Trustee, and he and wife have been active members of the Christian Church over twenty years ; he was formerly a member of the Democratic party, but since 1856 has been an active worker in the Republican ranks.

JACOB R. MELTON, farmer, was born in Rush County, Ind., March 6, 1882, and is the son of Hiram F.and Catharine (Rosier) Melton, of German and English descent. Hiram F. came to Rush County in an early day with his father, who was one of the old pioneers of that county. Jacob R. was reared upon his father's farm and attended the common schools, but owing to the necessity of work received but a limited education ; he was married to Miss Martha Downey, born August 28, 1830, daughter of James and Rebecca (Hinton) Downey, natives of Kentucky, and of English descent. This union has been blessed with three children James F., born November 5, 1855; Serelda J. Cohee, born November 14, 1857; and John W., born August 18, 1863. They also have one adopted daughter, Mary R. Downey, born January 20, 1872. Shortly after his marriage, Mr. Melton purchased a farm of sixty acres in Union Township, Howard County, one and one-fourth miles northeast of Jerome, and in January 1859, located on this farm, where he has since lived, and by industry and economy has been able to add eighty acres, making a good farm of 140 acres. Mr. Melton was mustered into service in November, 1864, was sent to Louisville, and placed under Capt. John W. Aughe, of Company E, Fortieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry ; he was transferred to Nashville, thence to Columbia, Tenn., ami was engaged in the battle of Franklin, Tenn., between Hood and Thomas. His regiment then retreated to Nashville to fortify and prepare for the battle of Nashville. From Nashville the troops were marched to Lexington, Ala., thence to Huntsville, Ala., where they remained until March, 1865, when they were sent to Blue Springs, East Tenn.; here they remained until the 1st of May, when they were sent to Johnsonville, Tenn., and took passage on a steamer for New Orleans. Thence they went to Texas, and while at San Antonio, Mr. Melton was discharged October 25, 1865. Mr. Melton is an industrious farmer, and was a prominent member of the Grange movement, having held the position of Steward of that organization. Mrs. Melton is identified with the Christian Church, and is one of its most active members.

SOLOMON B. MILLER, a prominent farmer of Union Township, was born in Darke County, Ohio, February 14, 1841, and is the son of John and Sarah (Brodrick) Miller, of German and English descent. Solomon B. was reared on a farm and received the benefit of a common school education ; he came to Howard County in the spring of 1861, in company with his father, who at this time purchased eighty acres of land one mile northeast of Jerome, in Unioi^ Township. Mr. Miller enlisted in August, 1861, in Company D, Thirty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in at Indianapolis. He was sent to Munfordsville, Ky., where he remained about nine months. He engaged in battle at Munfordsville, and was subsequently discharged on account of ill health ; he returned home and again enlisted in the fall of 1863, in the Eleventh Regiment Indiana A^olunteer Cavalry, under Col. Steward ; he was sent to Nashville, Tenn., and from there to Bellfont, Ala., and enga^^ed in battle at Huntsville. After this, he was sent with a re-enforcement to Gen. Thomas, at Columbia, Tenn., and was engaged with Gen. Thomas all through his encounters with Hood, until the disbanding of Hood's army; he was then taken to Eastport, Miss., and from there to St. Louis ; thence to Western Kansas, and from there he was transferred to Leavenworth, Kan., where he was mustered out September 11, 1865; he then returned home and resumed farming; he was married, March 17, 1876, to Miss Sarah E. Riege, born April 4, 1852, daughter of William and

Lydia J. (Jones) Riege, of Grant County, Ind. This union has been blessed with two chihlren, John W., born May 22, 1877, Henry, born September 30, 1879. Mr. Miller is at present the owner of fifty- two acres of land one-half mile east of Jerome; he is a successful farmer, and a prominent and worthy citizen. In the spring of 1875, he became a member of the Masonic fraternity ; is also an active politician, voting the Republican ticket, and cast his first Presidential vote in 1868 for U. S. Grant.

BARCLAY MOON is the eldest son of ten children born to Jesse and Phebe (Hocket) Moon, of English descent. He was born in Clinton County, Ohio, April 10, 1832, and in early life received an education which enabled him to become a prominent teacher, having taught twenty schools in Howard and Grant Counties. Mr. Moon was married, October 20, 1858, to Miss Ann Peacock, daughter of William and Phebe Peacock, of Grant County, natives of North Carolina. This union has been blessed with four children - Alpheus, Barnabas, Belinda and Esli, three of whom are living. Mr. Moon was Secretary of the Grange organization, and is a member of the New Hope Friends' Church ; his wife (now deceased) was also a member of the same denomination. Mr. Moon is at present living on a farm near Jerome, and deals extensively in thoroughbred Poland-China hogs ; he takes pride in educating his children, and his eldest son, Alpheus W., is one of the most able teachers of the county, and is at present taking a collegiate course in the State University at Bloomington, Ind. Mr. Moon participates in handling the Plymouth Rock poultry, and has shipped from Kansas to Pennsylvania and has received orders for 119 in sixteen days.

WILLIAM NASH was born in Adams County, Ohio, November 20, 1818, and is the son of Jesse and Mary (Pike) Nash, of English and German descent; his parents were married March 7, 1816. in Adams County, Ohio, where they remained about thirteen years. Jesse Nash then removed with his family to Hamilton County, Ohio, where he worked in a boatyard at $1 per day, for one year; he then moved to Brown County and lived three years on a rented farm, when he purchased sixty-five acres, near Woodville, Ohio, on which he lived until the year 1817 ; he then sold his land and removed to Howard County, purchasing 150 acres in Union Township, near West Liberty. Here he remained until his death, which occurred, November 20, 1856, having survived his wife six years. Mr. and Mrs. Nash were members of the Baptist Church, in good standing. Mr. William Nash worked at home with his father until he was twenty-six years old, receiving a limited education in the common schools ; he then engaged as a farm hand, at from $9 to $13 per month ; he was married, September 20, 1847, to Lucinda Brandenburg, daughter of William and

Mary Brandenburg, of Maryland, and of German descent. Mr. Nash, about four years after his marriage, purchased seventy-five acres of land in Union Township, where he still lives, having since added twenty-eight acres of good land to his farm. Mr. and Mrs. Nash have had five children - Evermont, Wilford, Ann, Caroline and William B., four of whom are living. Mrs. Nash died January 21, 1861, a true Christian, and member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Nash w^as next married September 5, 1861, to Rachel A. Harper, daughter of John and Jemima (Williams) Harper, of English and Irish descent. To this union have been born six children - Martha A., Henry T., EmmaJF., John F., Lucretia and Stella, four of whom are yet living. Mr. Nash was a prominent member of the Grange movement, and he and his wife are identified with the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

JOSIAH REED was born October 27, 1822, in Preble County, Ohio, and is the son of James and Sarah (Curry) Reed, of Penns}'lvania, and of Irish descent; his father located in Preble County, Ohio, in 1816, and purchased eighty acres of land, upon which he remained until his death, in 1826 ; his wife died in 1855; his parents had ten children, two of whom, Josiah and Mary A., are yet living. Our subject was reared upon a farm, where he received a common school education, and at the age of eighteen began teaming in Cincinnati ; this he continued until September 15, 1844, when he was married to Lucinda King, born in 1826, and daughter of John and Elizabeth (Price) King, natives of Tennessee and of English descent. Shortly after his marriage, he located in Wayne County, near Richmond, where he farmed five years; he then located in Gettysburgh, Ohio, and subsequently made sale of his personal property, and engaged in the mercantile business for eighteen months, after which he began the cooper trade. In 1860, he came to Huntington County, Ind., and purchased fifty-two acres of land, upon which he remained until 1877, when he moved to Kansas. Two months later, he returned to Indiana and purcliased eighty acres of land in Howard County, two miles northeast of West Liberty, where he still lives. Mr. Reed was a member of the Grange movement; is also an active politician in the Republican ranks, having cast his first ballot for Henry Clay in 1844, and Mrs. Reed is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have had the followino: children : Sarah E. Coolman, born December 1, 1845 ; Cythia J., born April 5, 1817 ; William J., born March 27, 1851, died February 15, 1852 ; Samuel A., born May 26, 1853, died March 27, 1855 ; David A., born March 28, 1855 ; Emma A. ToUe, born March 5, 1862, and Leander, born July 15, 1864.

Del., July 22, 1826, and is the son of William L. and Rachel (Cohee) Reed, natives of Delaware, and of Irish and English descent; his parents had eight children - Isaac, Lydia Brown, William C, Hannah Allen, Sarah, Martha, Mary and Elizabeth Conway, five of wliora are yet living. Mr. Reed located in Rush County, Ind,, in 1836 ; he and his wife were identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Isaac spent his early life on a farm, and was married, December 27, 1849, to Miss Hannah Osburn, born April 19, 1833, daughter of Harmon and Elisa J. (Packard) Osburn, natives of Ohio and Delaware. Mr. Reed came to Howard County in 1853, and purchased 160 acres of land in Union Township, which he began to clear and make for himself and family a home. By industry and economy, he has been able to add seventy-six acres more, and now has a comfortable home. Mr, and Mrs. Reed have had twelve children - Sarah E. Powell, born November 2, 1850; William W., born November 10, 1851 ; Rachel A. Elmore, born June 1, 1854; Harmon 0., born May 17, 1856 ; John H., born September 17, 1858 ; Benjamin E., born August 5, 1860, died December 8, 1861 ; Mary J. Frasier, born June 25, 1862; Oliver L., born April 23, 1864; Laura B., born June 19, 1866, died September 18, 1866 ; Edith L., born September 7, 1869 ; Frank A., born January 24, 1874, and Etta P., born August 3, 1875. Mr. Reed is an active working politician, voting with the Republican party ; he cast his first ballot for Franklin Pierce in 1848 ; he held the office of Township Clerk for two years, and has served four terms as Township Trustee; he is now holding tlie office of County Commissioner, this being his second term, and he and wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOHN ROE was born November 6, 1835, and is the son of Harrison and Sarah (Street) Roe, natives of Ohio, and of German and English desccTit. Harrison Roe was married in Indiana, about the year 1832, and soon purchased a farm of 160 acres in Wayne County, where he lived two years, and then sold out and moved to Henry County, where he purchased a farm of 240 acres, and here remained about fifteen years, when he sold his farm and located on 160 acres in Wayne County, near Hagerstown. After living there about four years, he sold out and moved to Grant County, where he purchased 160 acres of land near Point Isabel, on which he lived five years, when he sold out and purchased 135 acres in Delaware County, upon which he remained four years, when he again sold and came to Howard County. He bought 160 acres about one and a half miles northeast of Tampico, where he lived two years, at which time he returned to Delaware County, locating on the farm he had formerly owned. He again returned to Howard County, and is now living on 160 acres of land two and a half miles northeast of Tampico. Mr. and Mrs.