Van Buren Township

Introduction The Timber, Soil, Stone, Etc

HIS subdivision of Monroe is one of the most productive in the county. There is perhaps more good soil for the producer than any other portion of equal extent. This became known at a very early day, and led to rapid settlement and growth. Many of the best citizens came here and made it their abiding place, and those valuable adjuncts of civilization - education and religion - took here in early years a deeper root than in any other place in the county, except Bloomington. Institutions were established here which had for their object the widest diffusion of knowledge, and the establishment of the highest and purest system of morality. And the country was suited for such institutions. The lands were rich, fertile and promised that plenty which always brings prosperity and peace. Many of the earliest residents were descendants of the chivalrous stock of the South, possessing culture and refinement fit to adorn any society, and an appreciation of the advantages of social, intellectual and moral improvement which promised enduring benefits to the fabric of society. Here let the natural resources of the township be set forth. THE TIMBER, SOIL, STONE, ETC.

their source here, which accounts for the numerous springs of good hard water, and for the productiveness of the surface soil which has not been denuded of its rich alluvial properties. The township originally contained heavy bodies of the best black and white walnut, hard and soft maple, some half dozen varieties of oak, chestnut, elm, beech, sycamore, 'white and yellow poplar, ash, cherry, gum, sassafras, dogwood, spicewood, etc. Much of this - all the better grades - has been cut away. An important natural feature is the big cave in the northwestern part. Its real depth is unknown, as it is probable that all the ramifications have never been explored. It is safe to say that the numerous branches, cuts, and turns aggregate one mile in extent. Within, the air is warm and salubrions, and the revelation of geologic formations repays the student for his dark visit. Valuable fossils, geodes containing crystals of dogtooth spar of great beauty, stalactites and stalagmites of great size, masses of limestone and shale, highly colored with iron and magnesium, and sandstone with variegated colors and numerous partings may be seen in the walk through ''Puett's Cave." It is quite a resort for pleasure-seekers. Picnic parties from Bloomington come out to view the wonder, and students of geology come to view and study the mysteries of that acience. Once upon a time, a party of students came here in the morning, tied their horses in the grove near by, entered the cave, but came not forth even when darkness set in. A resident near the cave saw the horses, and suspecting that all was not right, lighted a torch and entered the dark chamber, and after walking some distance found the students who for hours had been endeavoring to get out without avail huddled together, frightened, bewildered, lost, and reconciled to pass the night without food or sleep in the cave. Their joy and thanks were profuse when they at last stood outside. The following is the geologic formation on Section 4:

Feet. Loamy soil, reddish colowsccccacceccsscsasacscanccctcsccssecssecouuscansescer' Chester sandstone, bowlders and irregular masses of ferruginous BANAStONCH occa ccaeconcescosusscdaccdsetecsucescteycccrascesersaeueccer recess 40 Argillaceous layers, containing irregular masses of chert, clay, stones and fragments of fossils..........0..s.sccecece-cccecscescscecese 10 Limestone (Upper St. Louis Group), light gray and shaly.............. 16 Limestone, same group, light gray, very hard and silicious, irregularly bedded and unfossiliferous............:cceccscceeeececeeeecerece 30 Otel ie scccces senses ss naeacncossees ode aciacessticeeeeescanseetee eet. 100

Land Entries, Settlements, Etc

The following purchases were made in Van Buren Township in 1816: Arthur Patterson, Section 1; Jacob Cutler, David Matlock, Daniel Sears, James Parks, James Matlock, on Section 2; John Cutler, on 4; Archibald Wood, 320 acres on Section 10; John Allen and George Matlock, on 11; George Matlock, 12; Jonathan Rains, on 13; also, on the same section, John Carr and John W. Lee; John Allen, James Borland and John Carr, on Section 14; Archibald Wood, Michael Wood and David Matlock, on 15; John Collins and Joseph Berry, on 21; William Wilson and William Newcomb (320 acres) on Section 22; John Harvey (320 acres), Jonathan Nichols and Arthur Patterson, on Section 24; Solomon Green and Archibald Wood, on Section 25; Levin Lawrence on 26; Adam Darling on 27; Joseph Berry, Adam Bowen and John Bris- coe on 28; Jesse Tarkington, Arthur Patterson and John Sadler on 31; Arthur Patterson and Joseph Berry on 32; Joseph Berry on 33; John Storm on 34; Thomas McCrang on 35; Josiah Jackson, John Johnson and Joseph Richardson on Section 86. The following tracts were bought in 1817: David Matlock on Section 2; Francis Charlice on 11; James Matlock on 12; Eli Lee on 14; William Newcomb on 15; Pierre Chacurn on 22; Solomon Phillips on 23; Joseph Gerrard and James Parsons on 26; Adam Kern and Isaac Rogers on 27; John Berry on 33; Joseph Berry on 34. No other entries were made until 1823, as follows: Austin S. Reeves on 9; and Littleton West on 21; Vincent Lindsey bought on Section 1 in 1824; Eli P. Farmer, on Section 2 the same year; John Mahala on Section 10 the same year; John M. Berry on Section 29; Lemuel Lyons on Section 1 in 1825; George Moss on 5 in 1829; Thomas Snoddy on 6 in 1826; John Watson on 8 in 1828; Robert Rice on 9 in 1828; Henry Sanders on 10 in 1827; William Deskins on 10 in 1828; George Milam on 12 in 1827; Isaac Rogers on 21 in 1825; Joseph Berry on 21 in 1825; Gaspard Koons on 26 in 1825; William Morris on 29 in 1829, and on 83 also; John H. Bunger and Orion Crocker on 33 in 1829. The above were all the entries of land prior to 1830. The name of the first actual resident in the township cannot be stated, but was doubtless one of the above-mentioned men. Several are known to have come with their families in 1816, but if any came before, such fact cannot now be stated with certainty, though there are strong presumptions that in 1815 the township contained white families.

Growth And Development

The old Hamilton Grist Mill was erected by Robert Hamilton early in the twenties, and of course was operated by water-power secured in the usual manner by means of a dam. It was an extremely rude affair at first, but owing to necessity received a liberal patronage. Orion Crocker was the miller. A man named Hamill bought the mill probably about 1834, and operated it with some improvements until soon after 1840, when it passed to John Shirly, who practically rebuilt and refitted the structure and the dam, and very materially improved the quality and quantity of flour produced. He introduced an improved method of regrinding the shorts that increased the yield of flour to the bushel, and also improved the quality. This useful old mill continued to run until a comparatively few years ago, when it was abandoned. About the year 1830, James F. Leonard erected a grist mill about three hundred yards from the Hamilton Mill on the same stream. His dam was rude and often broke, and after a few years he introduced steam and used the two motors, steam and water, to operate his mill. The mill did good work from the start, and under different hands and greatly improved in building and equipments, is yet running. It has always been a good mill. Saw mills were early operated in connection with these mills. Among the earliest residents of Van Buren Township were the families of James Gentry, Absalom Baker, Robert B. Givens, Andrew Gray, George Grubb, Samuel Grabeal, Solomon Green (one of the very first; came in when the Indians were as thick as wild turkeys), Seth Goodwin (very early), William Gray (very early), Andrew Gray, Lewis Harman, Jasper

Poll-Tax Payers Of 1841

Koons, Felix Landers, Matthew Legg, Benjamin Neeld, William Neeld (very early, with the Indians), the Prices, Hiram Pauley, Solomon Phillips, Rebecca Rawlins, the Renshaws, Benjamin Rice, Robert Rice, William Rice, John Saddler, Henry Sanders, L. G. Shryer, James G. Sparks, Noble Stockwell, James Shipman, John Shipman, Thomas Snoddy, John Tarkington, W. C. Tarkington, Sylvanus Tarkington, Samuel Turner, Reuben Ward, Luke Ward, Booker Wit and many others mentioned above as entering land. The Berrys were early and prominent. POLL-TAX PAYERS OF 1841.

This little village was laid out by Jesse Tarkington late in the thirties, and soon afterward a store was established there by James Crane, who conducted his establishment for several years. This store was started about 1839. It is said that Kemble, Klein & Co. also established a store in the village about the year 1842. In about 1845, Zachariah Catron opened a store in the village, and from that on, for several years, kept a general stock, worth about $2,000. Sylvester Dory started up about the same time. In 1848, Nicholas Dillinger and Victor Dory formed a part- nership, and began a general mercantile business, under the firm name of Dillinger & Dory. Sylvester Dory and Zachariah Catron were yet in business. The following year (1849) Odell & Walker began business with a stock estimated to have been worth $5,000. In 1850, Elmore Walker established'a store. Dudley & Adams engaged in the same pursuit in 1852, and Street Cox & Sons about the same time. There were at this period about four general stores in the village, two or three blacksmiths, a saw mill, etc. etc., and a population of about 150. The town has kept about this size until the present. A.J. Ritchey, F. M. Holder & Co. have general stores at present. Carmichael & Fields were in with goods before, as were Young & Smith, Baker Bros. and Sparks Brothers. Drs. Cook and Gaston have drugs. Joseph Green is the blacksmith. James Gaston is Postmaster. The little village has a tri-weekly mail from Bloomington. The population is about 200.

In general, the citizens of Van Buren Township have been a very well-behaved people. A large portion, since the earliest settlement, has been connected with the various religious classes ; and the other portion - the non-professors; or unbelievers - has been sober and moral. A class of the Church of Christ was early organized - about 1830 - and for a time met for worship at the house of Joseph Berry, who was one of the leading members. Robert Hamilton, Joseph Berry, John Porch, John Goodnight, Dudley C. Smith, John Givens, John Bunger and their families, were members. This class was made up from Van Buren and Indian Creek Townships. A log church was built quite early - about 1834 - and was used for many years. The Methodists established a class in the southwestern part early in the thirties, the leading early members being Lewis Harman, David Carpenter, Dennison Whaley, E. W. Tarkington, Malden Baker, Jacob Baker, William Higgins, Lewis L. Allen, Jesse Tarkington, Samuel Day, George G. Walker and their families. Lewis Dale was the pastor in 1850. This class has endured until the present, and early built a church at Stanford, which is yet used. Early in the forties, the United Baptists organized a class in the vicinity of Stanford, among the earliest members being the families of John Griffith, Jesse Goss, James Steele, Henry Flood, William Sparks, Abe May, W. H. Treadway - the latter four also belonging to the Baptist Church in Richland 'Township. This class grew, thrived, and built a church about 1850. The old Union Meeting-house. on Section 36, also had a large membership in the four townships - Van Buren, Perry, Clear Creek and Indian Creek. The old Baptist Church in the southern part of Richland Township, drew a strong membership from the limits of Van Buren. 'The citizens in the northeastern part joined the churches at Bloomington. The educational and religious community at the village of Harmony, northeast of Stanford, was the earliest union of religious sentiment in the county. Members of any orthodox denomination were eligible to membership. Later years have seen the organization of other religious classes, and the increased membership and prosperity of the old, until no portion of the county is better supplied with moral advantages.

The first school was taught in about the year 1824, at what afterward became the village of Harmony, the teacher being, so it is stated, Jonathan Nichols. The house was a vacated log cabin that had been erected for a dwelling, and was temporarily fixed up for school purposes. It is not certain where the next was started unless it was at the village of Harmony, where two or three terms of excellent school were conducted under the supervision of the Blue Spring Community. A school was started in the sontheastern part about 1828, one of the Berrys, it is said, being the first teacher. A schoolhouse that was erected in the southern part of Richland Township was attended by the children of Van Buren, in the northern part, but soon after 1830 a log schoolhouse was constructed on Section 4 or 9, which answered the purpose for several' years. Some state that the first school in the township was taught near what is now Stanford, one of the Tarkingtons being the first teacher. In 1836, there were four school districts and schoolhouses. In 1847, there were eight school districts in the township, and during the winter of 1846-47, six schools were taught. The enumeration in the districts at this time was as follows: No. 1, 73; No. 2, 94; No. 3, 64; No. 4,47; No. 5, 72; No. 6,19; No. 7, 66; No. 8,48. School was not taught during the winter in Districts No. 5 and 6. The average daily attendance was as follows : No. 1,.48; - No. 2; 15; Nes 8,175, Nos LACINO Ties No. 8, 13. Six months school was taught in District No. 3; two months in No. 7, and three months in the others. The teachers were paid for the term, exclusive of a small amount of tuition or subscription, as follows: No. 1, $80; No. 2, $25; Nv. 3, $75; No. 4, $45; No. 7, $36; No. 8, $415. The School Trustees at this time were Conrad Koons, John H. Porch and James P. Givens. In 1849 (March), there were eight school districts, as above given, with the following enumeration: No. 1, 38 males and 48 females; No. 2, 26 males and 24 females; No. 3, 36 males and 12 females; No. 4, 30 males and 23 females; No. 5, 34 males and 42 females; No. 6, 45 males and 31 females; No. 7, 24 males and 25 females; No. 8, 28 males and 28 females. Total enumeration, males 261, females 233; grand total, 494. The schools at this time were not surpassed by any other country portion of the county. When the new school law came into effect in 1453, and one Trustee took the place of three, and new funds were created for the common schools, within a few years many of the districts built new houses - not of logs, but of the best native lumber. Great improvements were made during the fifties in school methods and systems. During the sixties, still greater improvements were made, and now the school system of the township, the county and the State, is not only the pride of the residents, but the mee: object of neighboring States. The following table explains itself :

From the table it will be seen that Stanford (District No. 4) has two schools. The old frame house at Stanford, built late in the forties, was succeeded by a better frame building, with two rooms, some eight or ten years ago. Now there are two teachers, as indicated in the table.

The Blue Spring Community

From 1820 to 1860, there arose throughout the United States a tendency to unite means and influence in the formation of what was called a "Community," for the purpose of increasing the sources of a better system of education and morals than was afforded by the denominational and educational organizations of that day. Many families would place their property in charge of a committee empowered to manage the common interests and benefits, and would farm together, live together, eat together, work together in all things, being governed by: a constitution and by-laws. Men as eminent as Horace Greeley, Charles Fourier and the Owens, of Posey County, Ind., were connected with organizations of the kind, and used their best endeavors to render the system successful, popular and universal throughout the country. One institution of this kind sprang up in Monroe County, in 1826, and was called the Blue Spring Community. Á

The members gathered at what soon was called Harmony, placed their property in common, erected dwellings, laid out a public common or square, started one or more stores, opened an excellent school in a log schoolhouse just erected, and soon were in as flourishing a condition as could be expected in the backwoods. It was a very new country then, let it be remembered, to establish and maintain such an institution where the purity of intention and performance was made the sole condition of KERSEN Neigbbors laughed at the pretensions of the communists and scornfully predicted the speedy or ultimate dissolution of the community. But the members, with noble ir.tentions, went resolutely at work, determined, if possible, to make the attempt a success. Things went on quite smoothly the first year, or until cold weather came on, when many left, going back to their former cabins. Some conflict had occurred, some misunderstandings from human imperfections, and when the spring of 1827 arrived, all attempts to continue the community was voluntarily abandoned, to the sincere regret of some of the purest-minded citizens ever residents of Monroe County.

G. L. BRANDON, a farmer and stock-raiser, was born November 12, 1839,'in McDonough County, Ill., aud is the third of ten children, eight now living, born to Richard and Magdalena (Favorit) Brandon, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, and of Scotch-Irish and German descent respectively. G. L. Brandon wasreared on a farm, and was sent to school part of the time. When he was six years old, his parents moved into Hancock County, Ill., and he lived there until his thirty-third year. On April 28, 1870, Mr. Brandon married Narcissa Smith, in Iowa. She was a native of this county and a daughter of Dudley C. and Isabel (Porch) Smith, natives of Vermont and North Carolina. Mrs. Smith came here from Lincoln County, Ky., in 1833, and is still living, aged seventythree years. Dudley C. Smith was born on December 22, 1796; came first to Ohio, then to this county about 1819; remained near Bloomington ten years, and finally settled in this township. His father was a Revolutionary soldier, having participated in the battle of Bunker Hill. G. L. Brandon had born to him, by her, three children, two living - Fred Raymond and Rodney Howe. Mr. Brandon is a Presbyterian, and his wife belongs to the Christian Church. Our subject, in March, 1865, enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Eighteenth Illinois (Mounted) Infantry, and was discharged in September, 1865, at Springfield. He is a Republican.

WILLIAM F. BUNGER, farmer and stock-raiser and trader, was born July 17, 1836, in this township,.and is the youngest of nine children born to Philip and Susanna (Neff) Bunger, natives of Virginia and Kentucky, and of German descent. William F. was reared on a farm, and attended the public schools. Philip Bunger was an old settler hore, and his son lived with him until his marriage. On December 18, 1866, he wedded Harriet N. Neeld, of this county, and daughter of Benjamin aud Elizabeth (Reeves) Neeld, Kentuckians of English and Irish descent. Mr. Neeld settled in Bloomington about 1818. Mrs. Neeld settled in this county in 1817, near Ellettsville. She had poor advantages for an education, and says that at that time her people were only able to buy one barrel of flour in two years. They used hand mills to grind corn for about two years, and then the horse mill was introduced. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Bunger formerly belonged to the Grange. He and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He owns 502 acres of landin a high state of cultivation, stocked and ornamented with a fine frame residence, besides the addition of out-buildings and orchard, it being one of the finest homes in the township. Mr. Bunger is an upright citizen, and votes the Republican ticket.

IRA CARTER, teacher, was born in Monroe County, Ind., March 18, 1865, and is a son of J. F. and Susan (Silivan) Carter, the former a native of Garrard County, Ky., the latter of Monroe County, Ind. They are both of English descent. J. F. Carter received a good common school education in Indiana, to which State he came in early youth, and remained with his parents until 1863, when he was married. Hight children bless this union, all of whom are yet living. He and wife are devoted members of the Missionary Baptist Church. He owns a farm in Van Buren Township, where he nowresides. Ira Carter, the eldest of three sons, besides receiving a good common schooling, has attended different Normal Schools held at Bloomington and elsewhere. During the summer he is engaged on his father's farm and in winter is employed in teaching. Mr. Carter is a young man of fine ability and bids fair to be one of the leading young men of the county.

SAMUEL DINSMORE, farmer and stock-raiser, was born February 8, 1834, in Ireland, and is the eldest of eight children born to John and Margaret (Small) Dinsmore, natives of Ireland, and of Scotch-Irish descent. Samuel! was reared ona farm, and attended school when not otherwise employed, and in this way received sufficient education to enable him to teach. He taught three months. His parents came to the United States in 1838, and moved to the West, settling in Van Buren Township, about one mile north of where our subject now resides. They came by way of Pittsburgh by water to Louisville, where a wagon landed them in Monroe County in seven days. John Dinsmore purchased 160 acres of land and improved it. Samuel remained with his father until his marriage, on October 10, 1859, to Magdalene Hutsinpiller, of Monroe County, and a teacher. She is the daughter of Jacob A. and Susanna (Bunger) Hutsinpiller, Pennsylvanians of German descent. Miss Hutsinpiller was educated at Bloomington, and taught in Indiana about three years, and in Illinois ubout one year. Mr. Dinsmore had born to him five children - John A., William J. (deceased), Margaret Lenore, Julia Frances and Mary Elizabeth. Mr. Dinsmore and wife also took a boy, George Krohn, from the Orphans' Home in Cincinnati, and are raising him as one of their own children. Mr. Dinsmore uwns 200 acres of land, well cultivated, and ornamented with a substantial residence, besides a barn and outbuildings. He received eighty acres from his father at his marriage. Onr subject is breeding short-horn cattle and Berkshire hogs, and has followed this occupation for ten years. Mr. Dinsmore has belonged to the Patrons of Husbandry since 1878, and has held nearly every office in the lodge, being at present Lecturer. He and wife are Presbyterians, and he has held the office of Director of his district for some time. He is an esteemed citizen, and a Republican overflowing with energy.

JOSEPH S. DINSMORE, a leading and enterprising farmer and stock-raiser of this county, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, January 1, 1836, and is the second of the eight children, four now living, born to John and Margaret (Small) Dinsmore, natives of Ireland, and of Scotch- Irish descent. Joseph S. was reared upon a farm, and attended the common schools and a university for six months. Mr. Dinsmore enlisted in August, 1862, in Company F, Eighty-second Indiana Infantry, and was engaged in the following battles: Perryville, Ky.; Stone River, Tenn ; Chickamauga, Resaca, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro and Bentonville, besides numerous skirmishes and in Sherman's " march to the sea." Mr. Dinsmore was ip the grand review at Wasbington, and was discharged at Indianapolis in July, 1865. Mr. Dinsmore was then engaged in the furniture business at Bloomington for about five years, finally failed, and then engaged in the spoke and handle business. This he followed for a year and a half, was then burned out, and returned to farming. He has continued in this occupation ever since. Mr. Dinsmore was married ou October 6, 1868, to Mary A. Henderson, of Salem, Ind., and a daughter of John Grant and Martha T. (Young) Henderson, natives of Kentucky and North Carolina, and of Scotch-Irish descent. Mrs. Dinsmore taught school about five years before her marriage. They have had born to them three children - Leon Wade, Wylie Henderson and Joseph Paul. The parents are Presbyterians, and Mr. Dinsmore is a Republiean. John Dinsmore, an old settler and enterprising farmer of this county, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, on October 6, 1810, and is the youngest and only living one of the fourteen cbildren born to Samuel and Mary (Brystar) Dinsmore. John Dinsmore came with his mother to this country in 1838, and settled in this township. He was reared in Ireland, and there received a good education. On June 10, 1832, he married Margaret Small, of County Antrim, Ireland, and a daughter of Joseph and Jane (Dinsmore) Small, of Scotch ancestry. Mr. Dinsmore had born to him by this marriage eight children, three of whom - Samuel, Joseph S. and Mary (deceased) - -were born in Ireland, and the other five - William J., Andrew (deceased), Jane (deceased), Theophilus (deceased) and Matilda (Kirby)- - in America. When Mr. Dinsmore came to this county, he bought 120 acres of land, mostly timber. He improved this land, and then exchanged it for 240 acres, upon which he now lives. This place has a fine residence, barn and out-buildings, with the addition of a healthy orchard. By industry and application, Mr. Dinsmore has accomplished this success, and now peacefully enjoys his hard-earned possessions, seeing his children around him, each well established in life by his care. He has given euch of them from $2,000 to $3,000 in money. Mrs. Dinsmore died at seventy - five years of age, on October 6, 1882, having passed away suddenly while about her household duties. She was a Presbyterian, and Mr. Dinsmore is of the same creed. They were liberal givers in charity, and bad celebrated their golden' wedding only a few months before her death. Mr. Dinsmore uses neither tobacco nor whisky. His children are Presbyterians, and two sons served in the late war, returning without an injury.

Mr. Dinsmore is just recovering from an injury, but as a general thing has good health. He is a Republican, and an upright und honorable citizen, highly respected by his many friends and acquaintances.

DR. JAMES DODD was born May 20, 1832, in Lawrence County, Ind., and is the fifth of the seven children born to George and Mary (Pearson) Dodd. He lived on the home farm until 1855, when he comwenced the study of medicine with Denson & Rairden, of Bedford, Penn. In 1856 and 1857, he attended his first course of lectures in Miami Medical College. In July, 1857, he located in Harrodsburg, this county, and in the winter of 1858-59 graduated from the Ohio Medical College. He married Catherine A. Carmichael, of Monroe County, daughter of Peter and Lydia (Zague) Carmichael, natives of North Carolina. To this union have been born eleven children, of whom eight are living - Cranston H., James M., Mary E., Charlotte, George P., Walter P., Thomas C. and Evaline C. In 1870, Dr. Dodd exchanged his town property for the eighty acres on which he now resides, combining farming with the practice of medicine. He is also the owner of eighty well-improved acres in Indian Creek Township. In November, 1862, the Doctor was appointed Surgeon to the Sixty-seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteers; was at Vicksburg and Arkansas Post; became disabled, and at the end of six months was compelled to resign. He is a leading Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln. Mrs. Dodd's mother is still living, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years.

HENRY ELLER, one of the old settlers of Monroe County, was born June 9, 1817, in Virginia, and is the fifth of ten children born to John and Susan (Smith) Eller, natives of Virginia, and of German and English descent respectively. Our subject was reared on a farm, and he had only the advantages of the common schools taught in the country when it was an unbroken wilderness. He came with his parents to this county in 1831, when he was about fourteen years old. They settled on the section where our subject now resides. His father first purchased 320 acres, added to and improved until he owned 520 acres, located about five miles west of Bloomington. When he came here he was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he held for many years. For two terms he was elected Probate Judge of Monroe County, and held that position at the time of his death in August, 1840. Our subject was married. in September, 1837, to Velinda, daughter of Thomas and Barbara Bailey, natives of Virginia. Three children were born to them - Elizabeth J. (Stimpson), John Thomas and George Henry (deceased). His wife dying in 1844, he was next married, on June 29, 1845, to Elizabeth W. Shreve, of Monroe County, and daughter of William D. Shreve. To this union eight children were born, viz.: James W., Harriet A. (Ammerman), Melinda M. (Kirby), Susan V. (Mayfield), Frances M. (Johnston), Mary, Laura (Ward), J. B. M. and Charles D. Mr. Eller enlisted in tho three months' service on June 9, 1862, and did guard duty at Indianapolis. in May, 1864, he re enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-third Indiana Infantry. His regiment was on guard duty at Bridgeport, Ala. He was discharged in September, same year. While in the three months' service he was Sergeant of his company. During his last service he was also Sergeant. Whilo in the service, Mr. Eller lost his healtb, and has not been able to do a hard day's work since. He owns ninety-five acres of good land, well cultivated, and having all the modern improvements. He is one of the leading stock-breeders in this county, having been en- gaged in it for forty-nine years. For two terms Mr. Eller has been elected County Commissioner, and for several terms has been Township Assessor. He and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, he is an active, stanch Republivan.

THOMAS FULLERTON was born in West Tennessee, February 25, 1817, and is the fourth of eight children born to Thomas and Nancy (Woody) Fullerton, natives respectively of South Carolina and Virginia. He came to this county with his parents in 1820, and has here grown up a farmer. The parents were both born in 1785, and died in 1865. Mr. Fullerton has always resided on the 160 acres on which he was reared. He was married, March 26, 1846, to Maria Bunger, daughter of Philip and Susanna (Neff) Bunger, and a native of Kevtucky. 'to this union there have been born eleven children, of whom nine are living - William M., Alfred W., Joseph R., Louisa J., R. Henry, Edwin L., Thomas P., M. L. and Libbie M. At the age of twenty-five, Mr. Fullerton was elected Justice of the Peace of his township and served five years: he owns 100 acres of land in a fine state of cultivation, with fine residence and outbuildings. In politics, he is a Republican.

J. H. GASTON, M. D., was born on August 8, 1844, in Greene County, Ind., and is the seventh of eleven children, ten now living, born to James M. and Mary P. (Bryan) Gaston, natives of Tennessee and South Carolina, respectively. J. H. Gaston was reared on a farm, and attended the public school, also the academy at Bloomfield one year, and one term at Asbury University. He taught school for two terms. In August, 1862, Mr. Gaston enlisted in Company A, Ninety-seventh Indiana Infantry, and took part in the following battles: Jackson, Miss., Mission Ridge, Resaca, Dalton and Kenesaw Mountain. At the latter place he received a wound which broke a bone in his arm, and disabled him for further service. Hoe was discharged in May, 1865, at Madison, Ind. Ife returned to his home, receiving a pension since the date of his discharge. Mr. Gaston studied medicine with Dr. Bailey of Stanford, and attended a course at Miami Medical College, at Cincinnati, receiving his diploma in 1872. He then began practicing in Stanford-and has lived there ever since. Dr. Gaston has met with fair success, and keeps himself well posted upon the subject of medicine, by attending lectures. The Doctor married, on July 21, 1872, Martha Counet, a native of Monroe County and a daughter of Nelson and Emily (Rose) Counet, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, and of English and German descent. By this union there are five children - GQGrace F., Audley, Otis T., Edith V. and Mary. Dr. Gaston owns fifteen acres of land with a good residence, barn, out buildings and a good orchard. In the fall of 1882, he was elected Coroner of his county. Mrs. Gaston is a Congregationalist. The Doctor is a live Republican.

DAVID La RUE, one of the oldest settlers of Monroe County, Ind., was born on Septamber 24, 1807, and is the youngest of four children born to Peter and Catharine (McKissic) La Rue, natives of Virginia. Tho mother died when our subject was but three years old. After this he worked around and about by the day until he was thirteon years of age, when he was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade and served his time. In 1828, he went to Meigs County, Ohio, remained one year; thence to Cincinnati, where he was a carpenter on a steamboat for three years; thence to Livingston County. Ky., and remained one year with his father, or until the latter's death, at. the age of eighty-seven years. Then in May,

1832, he came to Bloomington, Ind. On December 27, 1832, he was married to Nancy, daughter of Jessie and Sallie Cole, and a native of Kentucky. Seven children have been born to them, only two of whom, Sarah and Jesse, are now living. After his marriage, Mr. La Rue moved on eighty acres of land located near Stanford, where he lived two years, after which he traded that farm for eighty acres in Greene County, where he lived thirty-two years. He at the end of this time had accumulated 220 acres, all wel) improved and under good cultivation. In 1866, he sold this farm for $6,000, and purchased for $5,000 the one on which he now resides. Mrs. La Rue died in 1850, when, on March 14, 1851, he married Minerva Cole, of Greene County, and daughter of John and Sarah Cole. Two children, both deceased, were born to this union. This wife died in 1855. He next married, on September 10, 1859, Eliza Daniel, of Greene County, daughter of Joseph Daniel. Mr. La Rue lost this wife through a divorce court, when, for his fourth wife, he married, on April 24, 1863, Mrs. Elizabeth Breakison, also of Greene County. This couple have had five children, three of whom are living. His wife had four children by her former husband. His first wife was a member of the Campbellite, his second wife of the Baptist, his third of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his present wife is also a member, and of which Mr. La Rue is also a member. Our subject was Township Treasurer in his township in Greene County for seven years; was Deputy Sheriff of that county two years; was elected Constable in this township, but refused to qualify. His father was a soldier of the Revolution, having engaged in thirteen battles, such as Bunker Hill,- Fredericktown, Trenton, etc. The father was reared in the same neighborhood with Gen. Washington. Our subject has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1852, at Stanford, and is now a member of Monroe Lodge, No. 22, Bloomington. On account of an impediment in his speech, he never attended school but two months in his life. His first wife taught him how to read. Mr. La Rue-is a self-made man, and has always been wonderfully successful in his business ventures. Two of his scns served in the army during the late war. By the community in which he resides he is highly respected.

MATTHEW McCONNEL, a wide-awaxe voune farmer of Monroe County, was born on October 21, 1854, in Guernsey County, Ohio, and is a son of Matthew and Margaret (Stephenson) McCorvei, natives of Ohio and Maryland, and of Irish and Seotch Euglish descent. Matthew, our subject, was reared on a farm, and attended the public schools to some extent. He came to Indiana with his parents in the spring of 1857. They settled where the family now lives, end where his father purchased 225 acres of Jand about two miles west of Bloomington. Our subject married, February 26, 1882, Margaret L. Constable, of Ellettsville, and daugbter of John S. and Margaret (James) Constable, natives of South Carolina and Virginia. The couple have one child, Lora A. Mr. Mc- Connel is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and his wife is a Presbyterian. He has a fourth interest in 275 acres of land, left by his father, and which is improved with residence, barn, out-buildings and orchard. He is independent in politics. Charles W. Curry was born September 18, 1854, in Monroe County, and is the fifth of ten children born to William H. and Eliza A. (Swearingen) Curry. Charles W. was reared on a farm, and attended the public schools. On October 24, 1878, Mr. Curry married Sarah A., a daughter of Matthew and Margaret (Ste- phenson) McConnol, and sister of our subject. The couple are parents of two children - Bert E. and Homer L.-~and are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JONAS R. MAY, an old settler and leading farmer and stock-raiser, was born January 25, 1834, in Perry Township, Monroe County, Ind., and is the fourth of six children (five now living) born to David and Sarah (May) May, natives of North Carolina and Kentucky, and of German descent. David May and his wife were among the first settlers in the county. He has always been a farmer, and, consequently, Jonas R. was reared to that vocation, attending school when not employed about. the farm, and, in 1854, took a course of six months at a university, and afterward was employed in teaching school for three years. He was salesman in a store at Harrodsburg, this county, for two years. January 12, 1860, Mr. May married Mary J. Wiseley, a native of this county, and a daughtér of Jesse and Margaret (Woodward) Wiseley, Virginians, of German and Irish-German descent respectively. By this marriage there are three children - Clara B., Luther D. and Omar M. Mr. May possesses 274 acres of land, well cultivated and embellished with a fine brick residence, barn and outbuildings. The place is well supplied with a fine'orchard, and with all necessary agricultural implements. For a start in life, Mr. May received about $2,000 from his father, and by industry has accumulated until-he possesses as comfortable a home as any in the township. In 1872, Mr. May was elected Trustee of his township, held the office one term, was again elected in 1876, and held the office four years. He was a third time elected in 1882, and is now holding that position. He is very active in the interests of his township, and alive to those of the Republican party.

GEORGE W. MOORE was born July 8, 1806, in Scott County, Ky., and is the fourteenth of fifteen children (fourteen of whom lived to rear families) born to Robert and Margaret (Mercer) Moore, natives of Ireland. The father was a farmer. Our subject grew to manhood on a farm, his educational advantages being very poor. At the age of eighteen, he commenced the struggles of life on his own responsibility. For three years he drove a stage-coach team, and carried the United States mail. He drove the first four-horse stage team ever driven from Lexington to Nashville, Tenn. He was agent for the United States mail line for four years, after which he engaged in farming, continuing five years. In the autumn of 1834, he came to Monroe County, and settled in Bloomington Township. He farmed for three years, then sold out, and moved to Bloomington, where he embarked in the dry goods and grocery trade, following this business twenty-five years, after which he disposed of his business and purchased the farm of 250 acres of land on which he now resides. To this he has added twenty-five acres, which addition makes him the owner of 275 acres, all in a high state of cultivation, and having all the modern improvements. Mr. Moore was married, August 31, 1831, to Elizabeth Mouser, of Kentucky, and daughter of Frederic Mouser. Four children were born to them, three of whom, John S., Ann A. (Fletcher) and Louisa (Otwell), are living. In Washington Territory Mr. Moore made a purchase of 157 acres of timber for $300, which he subsequently sold for $1,300. On his farm he has a saltpeter cave, which has been explored three-fourths of amile. Mr. M. and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopa) Church, and he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1831. In politics he is a Republican.

DANIEL PAFFORD, an old settler and a most enterprising farmer and stock-raiser of Monroe County, was born in the summer of 1814, in North Carolina, and is the only child of his parents, who were natives of Scotland. Daniel was reared on a farm and, being an orphan, had very poor opportunities for obtaining an education. He was enabled, however, by paying his own way, to learn to read and write a little. Our subject came to Indiana in 1822, in company with a family named Mel. vin. They settled in Lawrence County, and Daniel Pafford remained with them until he was seventeen years old, and then began working at $1 per week, and at one time for $S per month. On August 13, 1835, Mr. Pafford married Hannah McBride, of Lawrence County, and a daughter of John and Mary (Woodruff) McBride, respectively of English and Irish descent. They have had ten children, seven living - Gideon, Mary (Balanger), Elizabeth (Mayo), Frank, Solomon, Janet (Gentry) and John. The mother died, a Baptist, in 1863. In 1865, Mr. Pafford married Sarah Roy, of Lawrence County, and a daughter of Thomas and Polly Roy. This lady died in 1880, and in July, 1882, Mr. Pafford took for his third wife Eliza Stone, of Monroe County, anda daughter of William and Evaline (Hight) Roseberry. Mrs. Pafford is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Pafford is a Baptist, and owns 265 acres of land, with a good residence, barn and outbuildings, besides an orchard. He is a solid Democrat, and first voted for Van Buren.

GEORGE NEWTON PUETT, farmer and pioneer, was born on December 11, 1827, on the farm now occupied by Andrew Reeves, in Bean Blossom Township, this county, and is the youngest son and the fifth of the eight children born to William and Hannah (Parks) Puett, natives of North Carolina, and of French-English and English extraction. William Puett came to this county in 1816, and cleared the first land upon which Spencer, Owen County, now stands, for Samuel Dunn, and also helped carry the first brick ever made in Bloomington. He was very poor and worked in various capacities. finally entering 160 acres of land, in 1817 or 1818, improved it and built the brick house now occupied by Andrew Reeves, then being considered a very fine dwelling. This was built in 1830. He was married about the time his land was entered. He belonged to the Old Regular Baptist Church for about thirty years, and then joined the Missionary Baptist, in which church he preached for twenty years. He was opposed to slavery, and intemperance, was a great reader, and always supported the Whig and Republican parties, and died on July 3, 1877, in his eigbtieth year. Our subject's mother-was a teacher and composer of music, and he has a book which was prepared by her in 1812, and in her native State she was considered a fine singer. George Newton, our subject, was reared on a farm, and received a poor education. On February 24, 1848, Mr. Puett married Emily Hyneman, of Ellettsville, and a daughter of John W. and Nancy (Drunon) Hyneman, Kentuckians, of Irish descent. By this union there were three children - Rob N., John W., living at Colfax, Ill., and Charles W., killed by a horse. Mrs. Puett died June 23, 1867, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Puett next married, on July 5, 1868, Mary A. Du Bois, a native of Brown County, and daughter of Levi B. and Martha M. (Green) Du Bois, natives of New York and of Ohio. By this union there were three childrea - William D., Mattie E. and George M. (deceased). Mr. Puett and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. After his first marriage Mr. Puett farmed on the old homestead in Bean

Blossom Township, for four years; then went to McLean County, Il., entered 160 acres of land, and remained there five years. He then went back to the old farm, in Bean Blossom Township, for twelve years, and then to Illinois, bought back the old farm, and lived there six years. In February, 1874, Mr. Puett returned to Bean Blossom Township; thence to Ellettsville, and finally to this county, four miles west of Bloomington. Mr. Puett owns 160 acres, a!l cultivated. He received forty acres from his father, which he sold for $250. A legacy of $600, received after his father's death, was all the help he had. Mr. Puett began preaching in the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1856; was ordained Deacon October 2, 1864, and Elder September 12, 1880, by Bishop Foss. Mr. Puett has taught singing for about twenty-five years of his life. W. W, Puett, subject's elder brother, has been a member of the old Indiana Conference for thirty years. Our subject belongs to the I. O. O: F. and to the Grange, being Chaplain of the order. He was first a Whig, then a Republican and finally a Greenbacker. In 1876, he was candidate for Representative on the Greenback ticket. He is much respected and prized as a valuable citizen of the county.

HARRIS A. RICHEY was born January 4, 1863, in Noble County, Ohio, and is the eldest of the two children of Thomas J. and Mary E. (Elliott) Richey, natives of Ohio and of Irish origin. Harris A. was reared on a farm, and was instructed to a certain degree in the public schools. He also took a year's course at Mitchell, Ind. Mr. Richey has taught two terms. He remained ut home until his fifteenth year, then farmed, attending school part of the time. Mr. Richey spent one year in Kansas, then clerked, and finally attended schoo! at Valparaiso, where he left in 1881. He then came to Stanford, bought an interest in a store there in April, 1883, and in August bought out his partner's interest, and now is sole manager and proprietor. On November 25, 1883, Mr. Richey married Ella S. Brown, of Monroe County, and a daughter of William J. and Mary E. (Rice) Brown, natives of Green and Monroe Counties. Mrs. Richey is a Missionary Baptist. Her husband is an active Republican, and is a rising young man of this county.

WILLIAM J. SEMPLE was born in Ireland, February 17, 1820, and is the third of eight children born to William and Esther (Hemphill) Semple, natives of Ireland. William J. was reared on a farm, and received but thirteen- months of schooling. In 1847, .he came to this country, landed at New York City, and after working on a farm for four years, in 1852 he came to Monroe County, Ind., settling in this township. Mr. Semple purchased 217 acres of land, improved it, and oceupied it for seventeen years. He then sold out and was in Kansas three months, expecting to settle there, but finally returned and bought the farm which he now owns. It consists of 240 acres, which Mr. Semple has improved, and upon which he has a good residence, barn, and outbuildings, supplemented by an orchard. Mr. Semple's second marriage took place in October, 1870, to Sarah Hemphill, of St. Clair County, Tl. She was born in Ireland, and was a daughter of John and Mary (Reed) Hemphill, natives of Ireland. Mr. Semple owns sixty acres in Greene County. He was first married on May 28, 1863, to Eliza, daughter of Benjamin and Amelia (Campbell) Baxter, all natives of Ireland. He and his present wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church, and he votes the Republican ticket.

first children born there. He is the oldest of three children born to Dudley C. and Elizabeth (Berry) Smith, natives of Vermont and North Carolina, and of English and German descent respectively. Addison C. was reared upon a farm, and was sent some of the time to the public schools. He lived with his parents until he was eighteen years old, when he commenced learning the carpenter trade, following it for ono year. He enlisted in the Mexican war, June, 1847, in Company A, Third Indiana Volunteers, serving under Capt. John Sluss and Col. James H. Lane, and took part in the battle of Buena Vista. He was honorably discharged in July, 1848, at New Orleans. Mr. Smith returned home, and worked at hie trade for two years. He then married Sarah Hardesty, of Bloomington, Ind., and a daughter of George and Martha A. (Blair) Hardesty, Virginians, of English ancestry. By this marriage there were six children, of whom five are living- - Donald H., Alice (Shirley), Egbert, Thurston and Rodney. In 1852, they went to Missouri, settling near St. Joseph. Mr. Smith entered forty and purchased forty acres. Ho remained here six years, and then returned to this county and township, where he has been living ever since. Mr. Smith owns 118 acres of land, which is cultivated, improved and embellished with a good residence and outbuildings, besides a fine young orchard. He and family are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Smith takes great interest in education, and has given all his children the best of opportunities. He is a Republican, and has been four terms Assessor of his township, and was appointed one year by the County Board. Mr. Smith is a liberal giver in charity.

DUDLEY F. SMITH, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in the - vicinity of his present home, in Van Buren Township, on March 17, 1839. He was the third of five children of parents Dudley C. and Isabelle (Porch) Smith, natives of Vermont and North Carolina, and of English origin. Dudley ©. Smith was thrice married He first married Maria Humphrey, who- bore him one child - Olivia (Givens). He was next married to Elizabeth Berry, of English birth. Her brother founded an institution called " Harmony," where everything was in common. To this marriage were born two children (both living). The family came to Monroe County in 1820, settling near Bloomington, and there remained for five years. They then came to this township and purchased 100 acres of land, partly improved. They were among the first to settle horo, and Mr. Smith died here at the age of eighty-four, possessing 600 acres of land, and $10,000 in money. He distributed this among his children, and died a member of the Christian Church, in which he had been an Elder for about forty years. The grandmother of Dudley F. Smith was a sister of Salmon P. Chase, of national fame. Dudley F. attended common schools, and also the State University. His father had taught for fifteen years, and our subject has also followed that vocation to some degree. Mr. Smith married, December 23, 1863, Sarah Blankenship, a native of Decatur County, Ind. She is a daughter of James and Dolly (Stark) Blankenship, of English ancestry. To them were given four children, three now living - Winona, Ulysses Howe and Paul. Mr. Smith owns 120 acres, besides an interest in 560 acres in his father's estate. The family are members of the Christian Church. He belonged to the Grange, and is now a Republican.

of five children born to Henry and Sally J. (Holder) Sparks, the former coming to Indiana about the year 1842, and settling in Greene County, where eighty acres of land were entered by our subject's grandfather, who was a soldier in the war of 1812. Our subject was reared on a farm, and received a common school education. At eighteen years of age, he attended a high school, finished the freshman year at the University at Bloomington, after which he taught four terms. His marriage was to Lou Emma, the daughter of Elah and Elvira (Givens) Butcher, of Monroe County. Six children have been born to them- - Clara (deceased), Ivy, Earl, Fannie Pearl, Zelletha Jane and Oscar. Mr. Sparks owns fifty acres of good land in this township, well improved with a good residence, barn and outbuildings. He also owns a half interest in the store and building at Stanford. With the exception of $500, he has accumulated his fortune by his own industry. In politics, he is a Democrat.

WILLIAM STONE, one of the pioneers and enterprising farmers of this township, was born on December 16, 1820, and is the fifth of nine children, six of whom are living, born to Ellis and Margaret (Denuy) Stone, Virginians, of English lineage. Ellis Stone came to Monroe County in the fall of 1819, and purchased the farm upon which our subject now lives, paying $6 per acre for 160 acres. He was very industrious, and owned finally 400 acres, dying in his eightieth year. He ran a carding mill in an early day; often walked about six miles to hear a discourse on Sunday. He was a Whig, then a Republican. He moved the carding mill to Bloomington, where our subject lived for thirteen years. When his father lived in town, he, with two of his daughters, went to their farm every spring, and made 700 and 800 pounds of maple sugar, and carried the sap in pails, and the sugar to the town through timber infested with wolves. William, our subject was educated at Bloomington, and also attended the University three terms. Mr. Stone owns 210 acres of land, well cultivated, stocked, and embellished with a good brick residence, which was built by his father in 1840. He also owns good town property. He isa Republican in politics. Mr. Stone says, in early days, they did not settle difficulties with a law suit, but the parties fought to settle them. On one occasion, a man married a young daughter of one of our old settlers, and soon the parents learned that their son-in-law had another wife in Tennessee, and the girl's brother was commissioned to thresh the son-in-law. The old lady took an active interest in the duel. The man was whipped, and his wife left him. The punishment was witnessed by all the neighbors, their seconds having been selected by the respective parties from their friends.

I. J. WHISENNAND, an old settler and enterprising farmer of Monroe County, was born in Sullivan County, Tenn., on February 18, 1829, and is the seventh of thirteen children born to Isaac and Mary Ann (Isley) Whisennand, natives of Virginia, and of German descent. Isaac Whisennand came to Monroe County in 1830, and brought our subject with him. He entered 132 acres of land, improved it, and lived there till his death. Isaac Whisennand was a member of the Board of Trustees in an early day. Our subject was reared on this farm, and was sent to the common schools. On September 19, 1850, he married Mary Matilda Farmer, of Monroe County, and a daughter of Eli P. and Elizabeth Farmer, natives of Virginia and Indiana, and of Welsh and German origin. Eli P. Farmer was an itinerant Methodist Episcopal min- ister. By this union Mr. Whissennand had born to him four children, two living - Albert W. and Carrie (Rock). The mother died in July, 1863, and on February 11, 1864, our subject was married to Sabina Clark, of Gibson County, Ind., and a daughter of William B. and Mary (Wigens) Clark, natives of North Carolina and Kentucky, and of Irish and German descent. William B. Clark was born in 1798, and came to Gibson County in 1805, where he lived the rest of his life, and was one of the old settlers of the county, Mr. Whissonnand had five children by his last marriage - Samuel, Lillie P., Rosetta, Mary E. and Martha Ann. He and wife belong to the Church of God. Mr. Whisennand bought the farm of eighty acres which he now occupies shortly after his first marriage. It is now in a good state of cultivation, with a fine house, barn, ete. He gives liberally to all charities. For President, he cast his first vote for Pierce. In 1860, he voted for Lincoln, but in 1876 he commenced voting with the Greenback party, and has been ever since an active worker in that party.