Washington Township (part 5 of 16)

The subject of this article was about one year old when his parents moved to the county of Henry and there he remained until reaching his majority, attending mean¬ time a few months each year such in¬ different schools as the country at that time afforded. Indeed his advantages for obtaining an education were so limited that but little progress was made in the way of scholastic training, but this deficiency was largely made up in after years by reading and intelligent observation. Until twenty-one he remained under the par¬ ental roof, assisting his father on the farm, performing such laborious tasks as clearing, making rails, ditching, breaking new ground and like work, the effect of which was to de¬ velop a strong physique and lay the founda¬ tion for vigorous health.

The Biqcrapiiical Record

Soon after arriving at manhood's v state Mr. Craft began farming for himself in Rush countv where he leased land until j8h6, meeting with fair success as an agriculturist. | I11 the year 1880 he abandoned farming and, coming to Hartford City, engaged in the transfer business in connection with other vocations and here he has since continued to reside.

Mr. Craft's life has been one of great activity and industry and his record as an upright and law-abiding citizen has never been questioned by the many people with whom he has long sustained relations of the warmest personal friendship. In Septem¬ ber, 1899, he was honored by being chosen road commissioner and since entering* upon the duties of his office he has matured plans for a general and radical improvement of the various streets and highways under his charge.

Mr. Craft is a married man and the fa¬ ther of four children. Ilis wife, whose maiden name was Martha Jane Grundon, is the daughter of Joseph and Martha (Mc¬ Coy) Grundon, and the names of their chil¬ dren are as follows : Florence A. married Edgar T. Addison and has two offsprings, Grace P. and Merle; Emery, the second in order of birth, departed this life March 29, 1872; James married Mary Stahlsmith, who bore him four children, Frederick and Ger¬ tie, living, and Georgie and Amy, deceased ; the fourth child died in infancy unnamed. The grandfather of Mrs. Craft was a Revo¬ lutionary hero and an early pioneer of north¬ ern Ohio. Her mother's people were among the pioneers of the Buckeye state, settling many years ago in Butler county.

plifies the religion which he professes. As stated above, industry and uprightness have been his chief characteristics and an un- | blemished name is the reputation he sustains among his fellow citizens of Hartford City and the county of Blackford. In a quiet way he has nobly done his part towards adding stability to the community and it is a com¬ pliment well deserved to speak of him as a gentleman in every respect, with few if any enemies and a host of friends who have learned to value him for his many sterling qualities.

Jacob Kemmer Stuck

The subject of this article was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, May 13, 1S44, and is the son of Jacob and Barbara (Cline) Shick. He is of German descent and traces his genealogy back to the early history of Pennsylvania, where the family located many years ago. Flis paternal grandfather was born in Germany. As early as the year 1819 Mr. Shick's father and grandfather moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio, settlingin the county of Muskingum, and there the latter afterward died. The following are the names of the brothers and sisters of Ja¬ cob Shick ; John, Samuel, Lydia and David. Jacob and Barbara Shick reared a family of nine children, whose names are as follows : Elizabeth, wife of Henry Huffman; John married, first, Elizabeth Bradshaw and afterwards, Ann Lyon; Catharine, wife of James Ayres; Leonard married S. Jewell; Nancy became the wife of Spang Brugh; William married Adaline Burst; Henry, de¬ ceased; Maria, deceased; and Jacob Iv., whose name appears above.

years old his parents moved from their Ohio home to Blackford county, Indiana, and it was in a district school near his father's farm that he acquired a practical knowledge of the English branches. At the early age of fourteen he began learning the cabinet mak¬ er's trade under the direction of W. H. Gable and after becoming proficient therein worked at the same during the interim be¬ tween 1859 and 1 866. In the latter year he turned his attention to carpentering, which he carried 011 for some years with good suc¬ cess and then turned to his former trade. After four years of cabinet-making, he began contracting at carpenter work and with quite a force of hands soon had all he could do in both city and country. He has continued contracting to the present time and his repu¬ tation as a builder is second to that of no other in Hartford City, while his services have been greatly in demand in other cities and towns. To enumerate all the buildings built by him in Hartford City and Blackford county would far transcend the limits of an article of this character as the evidences of his mechanical and architectural skill are to be seen upon nearly every street and high¬ way. Among the many edifices of the place may be cited the J. H. Dowell block, the bank block, the Shinn residence, Co vault dwelling, the Ford home, the pulp and paper mill of Hartford City and many others, in¬ cluding thirty-one tenant houses erected for the Hartford City Glass Company.

O11 the 4th of January, 1864, Mr. Shick and Miss Anna M. Taughinbaugh were made man and wife and their marriage has been blessed by six children, five of whom are living. Their names are as follows: Ly¬ dia married Jason Huggins, and has two children, Charles and Mabel; William L. ; lladasca married Walter Cline and is the

Mr. Shick joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in March, 1896, since which date he has filled different official jxvsitions in Lodge No. 262, Hartford City. He also belongs to the Rcbekah degree and is active in many ways in promoting the interest of the fraternity.

Our subject is a wide-awake, energetic man, always alive to the interests of his busi¬ ness and general prosperity of the commu¬ nity. He is complete master of his vocation, stands high in the esteem of his fellow citi¬ zens and is one of the substantial men of Hartford City. His life has been singularly free from faults of any kind and the po> ion he today occupies has been accorded him by reason of true worth and manly character.

William A. Beath

William Alfred Beath, a retired farmer, was born in Licking township, Blackford county, Indiana, July 25, 1836. Paternally Mr. Beath's family is of English origin, and on the mother's side he is descended from Ir¬ ish ancestors. Both families were among the early settlers of Virginia and later they figured in the history of Ross county, Ohio. His father, John Beath, was born in Vir¬ ginia, and when a young man became a res¬ ident of Ross county, Ohio, removing thence, in the early 'thirties, to Blackford county, Indiana, and settling in the township of Licking. John Beath married Anna Keeler and reared a family of ten children, namely : Alexander, Martha Ann, William R., Joseph A., deceased; Leander, Mary Jane, Nancy

The early years of William A. Death were passed on his father's farm, where amid the routine of daily toil he grew to maturity, attending in the meantime the different sub¬ scription schools common in Indiana a half a century ago. When of sufficient age to choose for himself he decided to become a tiller of the soil ; accordingly he began farm¬ ing in his native state and continued the same until after attaining his majority. Thinking that he could better his condition by learning some mechanical trade, he aban¬ doned agriculture and for a limited period worked at carpentering, which he soon found was not at all to his liking. Having suc¬ ceeded in accumulating some capital Mr. Death purchased a small farm of fifty-two acres in Licking township, and again began tilling the soil, but after awhile he laid aside the implements of husbandry and turned his attention to threshing grain. He operated a machine for some years with good success, but finally returned to the farm which he in¬ creased in area and conducted with financial profit until 1888. As an agriculturist Mr. Death became well known for his careful methods of tillage, and by great industry, economy and the exercise of wise fore¬ thought succeeded in reaping the benefits of his labor to such an extent that in the year 1895 he was enabled to leave the farm and retire with a competency to Hartford City where he is now spending the days yet allot¬ ted to him.

During the Civil war all of Mr. Death's brothers served in the army, but he did not see his way clear to become a soldier by rea¬ son of the home affairs of his father's family requiring his attention. He was loyal, how¬ ever, in his adherence to the Union and

On the 16th day of October, i860, Mr. Death and Elizabeth E. Stewart, daughter of Henry and Susan (Shroyer) Stewart, be¬ came man and wife, the issue of which mar¬ riage was five children, Marion L., born April 1. 1862, a farmer residing near the town of LeRoy, Kansas; George Riley, born December 20, 1865, a farmer of Blackford county; John YV., born July, 1868; Henry Allen, born April 13, 1870, and Owen V., born December 26, 1871. The mother of these children, a most estimable lady, respect¬ ed by all who knew her, departed this life on the 2 1st day of February, 1886, and subse¬ quently, October 1, 1895, Mr. Beatli entered into the marriage relation with Catherine E. Slahsmith, a union without issue.

Mr. Beatli has acted well his part in life and is one of the oldest native sons of Black¬ ford county now living. He has been an eye witness of many remarkable changes in the appearance of the country and in a quiet way has contributed to the present high position which Blackford enjoys among her sister counties of the commonwealth. Honest toil, with its inevitable rewards, has ever actuated him and in the true sense of the word he is a man of the people and a great admirer of the free institutions under which they are enabled to work out and achieve a high des¬ tiny. While not a partisan in the sense of seeking office he takes a lively interest in public affairs and believes that every Ameri¬ can citizen should be well informed on all the leading questions of the day. He has the courage of his convictions, maintains the soundness of his opinions intelligently and endeavors to keep abreast of the times not only in matters of public policy but also in

Owen V. Beath, the youngest son of William Alfred and Elizabeth Beath, was born in Blackford county, Indiana, on the 20th day of December, 1871, and remained under the parental roof in Licking township until his nineteenth year. After obtaining a knowledge of the branches constituting the common school curriculum he became a stu¬ dent of the Central Normal School at Dan¬ ville, Indiana, where he pursued his studies one term, and the following year was ena gaged in teaching in his native county. The better to pi v pare himself for the teacher's profession, he entered the State Normal at Terre Haute, where he took a two-years course. At the end of that time he re¬ sumed teaching in Licking township and earned the reputation of being a very effi¬ cient and popular instructor. Had he seen fit to remain in the educational field he no doubt would have distinguished himself as a teacher, for he possesses not only the ability but the tact essential to success in this, one of the most respectable and useful of callings. Not being content to spend his life in the school room Mr. Beath subsequently entered the Indianapolis Business University, from which he was graduated gust 15, 1897, and in September of the year following as¬ sisted in the organization of a company for the manufacture of glass, being elected its secretary and treasurer. This was known as the Mill Grove Glass Company, and in ad¬ dition to the official positions named he be¬ came one of the leading stockholders as well as one of the active business managers. In July, 1899, Mr. Beath disposed of his inter¬ est in the above concern and purchased stock in the Diamond Flint Glass Company, with which he is now identified in the capacity of secretary, having been the unanimous choice of the board of directors for that position, lie was united in marriage, November 9, 1898, to Miss Emma Williams, youngest daughter of Zadok Williams, and has a beau¬ tiful home in Hartford City, supplied with all the conveniences and luxuries calculated to make his domestic life pleasant and agreeable.

Our subject is a young man of much more than ordinary intelligence and thrift. By the exercise of energy, directed and con¬ trolled by good judgment, lie has been enabled to win success and a position of in¬ fluence in the wealthy company with which he is officially connected. His social and business reputation in Hartford City is with¬ out a flaw, and few men of his years stand as high in the estimation of the public or possess in as eminent a degree the confidence of all classes of people in both city and coun¬ try. Progressive and alert in all matters per¬ taining to his business, he is equally alive to the interests of the city, being an earnest ad¬ vocate and liberal patron of all worthy ob¬ jects which promise to benefit the commu¬ nity.

Michael Schmidt

Michael Schmidt, a respected citizen of Hartford City, and a descendant of one of the early settlers of Delaware county, was the son of William and Anna (Barber) Schmidt. He was born December 4, 1846, in the county of Delaware and there spent the years of his boyhood, removing with his parents to Blackford county in i860 and set¬ tling on a farm near the village of Dundee. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, bore his full share in the labor of the farm and

He began life for himself as a tiller of the soil, to which honorable vocation he de¬ voted his attention for some years, and then became manager of a large saw and gristmill owned by his wife's brothers, which he op¬ erated successfully for a period of ten years. At the expiration of that time he effected a co-partnership in the grocery business at Hartford City with Eli Hughes, continuing in that line of trade until 1892, meanwhile devoting much time and attention to book¬ keeping, in which he soon became much more than ordinarily expert. Severing his con¬ nection with the mercantile business, Mr. Schmidt accepted the position of bookkeeper in the J Uackford County Bank, and there lie remained to the satisfaction of his employer for four years, the precarious condition of his health at the end of that time necessitat¬ ing hs retirement from active labor.

On the 7th day of December, 1873, Mr. Schmidt entered into the marriage relation with Mary H., daughter of Davis and Eliza¬ beth McKonke, the union resulting in the birth of three children, all of whom died in infancy. After a happy life together of less than eight years Mr. Schmidt was bereaved ol his companion, who died on the 8th of June, 188.. Later he married Malinda Hughes, who was the willing sharer of all his joys and sorrows for a period of ten years, when she, too, was called from earthly scenes, departing this life April 30, 1893, and leaving besides a devoted husband, three children, viz : Laura E., since deceased; Lena M. and Roy R. The second Mrs. Schmidt was the daughter of Eli and Susannah ( Ashbaugh) Hughes; she was a woman of most exemplary character and died as she lived, with a well, grounded hope in the merits of the one who has tasted death for all and made possible a life of bliss beyond, the grave, where loved ones shall never more parted be. On the 25th of January, 1898, Mr. Schmidt was a third time married, choosing for a companion Catherine Guedel, daughter of Frederick and Anna (Barber) Guedel, who with her husband's aged mother and his two children survive his loss.

After his retirement from the bank, noted in a previous paragraph, Mr. Schmidt strug¬ gled in vain against the disease which slowly but surely continued to sap his strength and which eventually, in July, 1898, resulted in his death. The life and character of this ex¬ cellent citizen, kind neighbor, loving hus¬ band and tender and devoted father is an open book, read of all men in the community where he lived. He was baptized in infancy in the Lutheran church, received confirma¬ tion in youth and throughout life continued a consistent and active follower of the Nazarene, whose spirit and teachings were beautifully exemplified in his daily walk and conversation. Mr. Schmidt was indeed a true Christian gentleman, honorable and up¬ right in all his dealings, kind, courteous and obliging to all with whom he had business or other relations, and his name was never known to have been even remotely coupled with an act not consistent with the most absolute integrity. It was the u 'versal opinion' frequently expressed that those who knew him best loved him most and it is a well recognized truth that few lives ever ex¬ erted such strong and wholesome influence for good on the manners and morals of the community. In the true sense of the word Mr. Schmidt was a self-made man. Besrinning life's struggle with little encourage¬ ment and but limited financial resources, he continued to advance step by step until lie attained to a position of prominence and influence and by industry and economy ac¬ cumulated a competence which placed him¬ self and family in a condition of independ¬ ence. He was a friend to the poor, many of whom shared liberally of his bounty, and his public spirit led him to advocate both by his voice and means the furtherance of any movement having for its object the advance¬ ment of the city's interests. His was indeed a full and complete life and at its close he rests well. "Mark the ways of the just for the end of that man is peace."

Eugene Abbott

The gentleman whose name introduces this biography is a native of Michigan, and the son of Horatio and Angeline (Cory) Abbott. His paternal grandfather, Pom¬ eroy Abbott, was a soldier of the war of 1812 and an early pioneer o* Michigan, in which

Eugene Abbott's birth occurred in the county of Hillsdale, Michigan, March 1, 1857, and when one year old he was taken by his parents to the city of LaPorte, where he attended school until the age of fifteen. In his sixteenth year he took up the painter's trade, which he followed until twenty-two. From that time until he was twenty-eight years of age our subject engaged in traveling and dealing in horses and then engaged in the hotel business at Vincennes where he ministered to the wants of the traveling pub¬ lic for a period of eight years, the greater part of the time as a silent partner. For about ten years the proprietor of a sample room in the above place, and in 1894 dis¬ posed of his interests there and came to Hartford City where he is now engaged in the liquor business in connection with the general agency of the Columbia Brewing Company of Logansport, Indiana.

Mr. Abbott is also engaged in the manu¬ facture of all kinds of soft drinks, mineral, carbonated waters, etc., doing a large and lucrative business, supplying not only the local demands for the products of h estab¬ lishment, but shipping to other points in the vicinity of ITartford City, and also making frequent consignments to places more re¬ mote. His factory has a yearly capacity of 6ver four thousand cases, and by reason of the superior quality of his drinks the de¬ mand, already large, is constantly on the increase.

Mr. Abbott was elected to the city coun¬ cil in 1896 and served as a member of that body four years, retiring in 1900. He proved a valuable municipal legislator and was earnest in behalf of the city's interest as a member of some of the most important committees during the period of his incum¬ bency. He was united in marriage, March 14, 1878, to Miss Lucinda B. Morford, daughter of John Morford, the issue of which union was one child, Mabel, who died in childhood.

Mr. Abbott is a member of Balato Coun¬ cil, No. 292, Royal Arcanum, and also be¬ longs to the I. O. O. F., holding membership in Wabash Lodge, No. 20. He is a firstclass business man and has met with finan¬ cial success commensurate with the efforts displayed in the various enterprises with which lie has been identified. He possesses a pleasing- personality and combines the faculties of making- and retaining strongfriendships among all classes of people. Since becoming a resident of Hartford City he has won a large share of public esteem and conducts himself as a gentleman jealous of the good reputation he enjoys.

Mrs. Mary J. Death

Mrs. Mary Death is an old and highly estemed lady, residing at this time in Hart¬ ford City, where she is widely and favor¬ ably known and greatly respected for her many virtues and admirable qualities of mind and heart. Her first husband was John Davis, whose father, William Davis, was born on October 31, 1772, and whose mother, Dreuvilla (Olney) Davis, was born April 20, 1770. William Davis was a soldier in the war of 1S12, and his father, whose name is unknown, served in the war of the Revolu¬ tion.

John Davis was born in the town of Lowell, Washington county, Ohio, August 10, 1814, and married Mary Jane Cusick, on the 20th day of August, 1840. Mrs. Davis was born November 1, 1822, and became the mother of children as follows: William died in infancy; Willard, the second child, died in November, 1864, while serving as a soldier in the war of the Rebellion ; Mary married Leonard Hart, and has twelve chil¬ dren; she lives at this time in the territory of Oklahoma. The fourth child is Elizabeth, who married Milton D. Ward, and reared the following children: Jeannette, deceased; Sarah C., Charles S., George O., William H., John W., Walter L. and Mary J. Cath¬ arine Davis, the next in order of birth, mar¬ ried Wesley Morton and departed this life in November, 1886. Emma Davis was the next born and is also deceased. Mar¬ garet, deceased, was the wife of Thomas Slater. Mr. Davis, the father of the above named children, departed this life on the 2d day of May, 1856. Mrs. Davis subsequently, June 1, 1863, entered into the marriage relation with Lair Run¬ yan, who was born in the year 1798. Mr. Runyan s first wife was Abigal Bumgarner, to whom he was united October 29, 1819.

1 he subject s third husband was John Death, who was born January 19, 1809, in Ohio and as early as 1836 came to Blackford county, of which he remained an honored resident until his death, on the 29th day of January, 18S5. I11 early life Mr. Death was a farmer, but later turned his attention to carpenter¬ ing, wiiich he carried on for a number of years in connection with agricultural pur¬ suits.

Mr. Beath was a man of affairs and for a period of about twenty-five years served as justice of the peace, besides holding the office of county commissioner a number of terms. He was indeed a representative citi¬ zen, well known throughout the county for his public spirit, and few stood as high as he in the estimation of the people. He aban¬ doned farming in 1863 and removed to Hart ord City. From that time until called from the scenes of his earthly labors he de¬ voted his best energies to the public good and accomplished much for the material, mor¬ al, intellectual and religious interests of the city and county. His career was marked by an unselfish devotion to the welfare of man and his memory will be long cherished by those iic helped along life's rugged highway. Mrs. Beath affiliates with the Methodist Protestant church.

Isaiah Gilbert

The gentleman whose name forms the caption of this article is the proprietor of the caption of this article is the proprietor of the leading livery barn of Hartford City. He is the son of Martin and Lydia A. (Houts) Gil¬ bert and was born in Indiana November 24, 1857. Reared on a farm lie attended the district schools until nineteen years of age, at which time he engaged in agricultural pursuits and continued this useful and timehonored vocation until 1893. In that year he engaged in the livery business in the town of Ponto, Wells county, and after remain¬ ing for some time at that place disposed of his stock and removed to Hartford City, where he erected a large and commodious building and resumed the livery business up¬ on a much more extensive scale. At this time Air. Gilbert has the best equipped es¬ tablishment of the kind in the city and is fully prepared to meet all the demands of the public in his line. He keeps sixteen fine roadsters, with a full complement of bug¬ gies, phaetons, surries, carriages, hacks, etc., besides doing a thriving business in the way of caring for horses belonging to other par¬ ties, having quite a number of regular boarders, and at the same time realizing handsome returns 'from transient custom¬ ers. In connection with his regular livery he has a large feed yard and hitching shed, which is well patronized, especially upon pub¬ lic occasions when large numbers of people visit the town.

Mr. Gilbert was married in the year 18S2 to Mrs. Catharine Price Gilbert, daughter of Thomas and Georgina (Williamson) Price, who has borne him five children, namely: Jennie A., Homer J., George R., Frank E. and Nellie AI. By a previous marriage with

Air. Gilbert is one of the leading Demo¬ crats of Hartford City and has contributed much to the success of his party, in recogni¬ tion of which he has been honored with the candidacy of the office of sheriff, lie is a very active worker as well as an aide and discreet counsellor. Fraternally he belongs to Blackford Lodge, No. 262, I. O. O. F., and is also identified with the Order of Alaccabees, his name appearing upon the records of local organization No. 50, of Hartford City.

Personally Mr. Gilbert is an affable gen¬ tleman and possesses those characteristics which render one popular with the people. He numbers his friends by the hundreds in Hartford City and Blackford county and in his relations with the public through the medium of his business has become quite popular with the traveling fraternity, all of whom speak of him in terms of the greatest praise. His business, encouraging from the beginning, has steadily increased until, as already stated, he stands at the head of the livery trade in Blackford county and he con¬ templates a much more extensive business in the future. He has earned his present commendable standing by true merit and it is eminently fitting to class him with the suc¬ cessful men of _the city in which he resides.

George Rapp

Conspicuous among the well-known German-Amcrican citizens of the county of Blackford is George Rapp, who was born on the 4th day of September, 1859, in the town of Claishnrbah-by-the-Rhine, Germany, the son of George and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Rapp. When of sufficient age he entered the schools of In's native place, which he attended until his fourteenth year, and later pursued his studies for some time in night schools, devoting his days to labor of various kinds. He first found employment in a distillery, where lie worked two years, and then began to learn butchering, which in his native com try is a trade requiring considerable instruc¬ tion and no little practice to master. After working at this about one year young Rapp matured plans for coming to America; ac¬ cordingly he bid adieu to the fatherland, Oc¬ tober 1 8, 1880, and turned his face to (he great western world beyond the waters where, he was told, much better advantages awaited him. In due time he landed in New York, November 2, 1880, two days after Garfield was elected, and after remain¬ ing in that city thirteen days proceeded west¬ ward to Cincinnati, where he joined an uncle, John Hoffman, who had come to the United States some years previous. After working in his uncle's meat market for a short time Mr. Rapp went to Montpelier, Indiana, where his brother Andrew then lived, and he worked for the latter until 1884 at which time he came to Hartford City and took service with Peter Lacy. After con¬ tinuing in that gentleman's employ for a period of eighteen months he engaged with John Newbauer, whose meat market he con¬ ducted about three years, making an exten¬ sive acquaintance throughout Blackford and neighboring counties the meantime. Poring the succeeding six years he was ernpk 1 by Jason Huggins, at the expiration of which period, in the fall of 1893, lie opened a meat market of his own, which he conducted suc¬ cessfully until 1899. In the fall of the lat¬ ter year he rented his place, but did not long remain out of business, resuming it again the following spring and carrying it on to the present time.

Mr. Rapp was married July 10, 1883, f° Miss Lena Anderson, daughter of George and Maria (Roberson) Anderson, whose birth occurred in Randolph county, Indiana, on the 9th day of July, 1863. Mrs. Rapp is of English descent and comes from one of the oldest pioneer families of the county of Randolph. Mr. and Mrs. Rapp are the par¬ ents of the following children : Stella May, George Earl, Raymond Ray and Idelen Marie.

Mr. Rapp is a member of Blackford Lodge No. 262, I. O. O. F., being treasurer of the same at the present time. He attended the Grand Sovereign lodge, recently held at Detroit, and there won the first prize for in¬ dividual sword drill. Later he won another individual prize, which facts attest the efficienc}r which he has attained in the order. He received his naturalization papers in Wells county, Indiana, in 1892, since which time he has been a loyal and enthusiastic supporter of our free institutions. As an American citizen he fully appreciates the government of the United States.

Mr. Rapp inherits in a marked degree the sturdy characteristics of the German race, together with the finer instincts with which that people are endowed. He is hon¬ est, frugal and industrious and since leaving the fatherland has met with well earned suc¬ cess in the way of accumulating wealth, be¬ sides making for himself a reputation against which nothing questionable has ever been mentioned. He is master of his business, knows how to earn and save money, and he stands for what is truest and best in our citi¬ zenship. He is popular with the people of

Samuel Gettys

, His first knowledge of books was obtained in a little old log school house in the north¬ ern part of Licking township, where he pursued his studies at intervals until his fifteenth year. At that early age he be¬ gan earning wages for himself in the con¬ struction of the Pan Handle Railroad where he worked the greater part of the time for live years, bejng variously employed, prin¬ cipally in grading the Logansport and Brad¬ ford divisions. He was also employed three years on the State Line and Richmond divisions, at the end of which time, in 1873, he severed his connection with the road and turned his attention to other pursuits. From 1873 to 1876 he was engaged in trading 011 the Ohio river and in the latter year, in com¬ pany with three friends, went to Moorfield, Harvey county, West Virginia, and con¬ tracted to erect stone work for two large bridges across the southern branch of the Potomac river. Upon the completion of this work Mr. Gettys returned to Blackford county where, on the 30th day of December, 1876, he was united in marriage to Miss Almeda Lillibridge, daughter of Thomas J. and Elizabeth (Mills) Lillibi idge, a union blessed with seven children, namely: Bes¬ sie E., born November 2, 1877, married Clarence Rollins, of Hartford City; Ruth M., born May 8? 1883; Samuel C., born

For a number of years Mr. Gettys served as justice of the peace and he also held the office of constable, in both of which posi¬ tions his duties were discharged in a man¬ ner highly satisfactory to all concerned.

In August, 1877, he was appointed dep¬ uty sheriff by his uncle, John Saxton, at the expiration of whose term he was retained in the same position during the incumbency of S. L. Gadbury. By reason of failing health, he resigned the position in 1880 and took a trip to the Rocky mountains, where he re¬ mained three months to the great benefit of his physical powers. Upon his return to Hartford City he again entered the sheriff's office as deputy, in which capacity he has since continued. With the exception of the time spent in the west in quest of his health Mr. Gettys has been connected with the court house of Blackford county continuous¬ ly since 1877, his long period there attesting his ability to fill the position satisfactorily, and it is a compliment worthily bestowed to say that the public has never been served by a more careful or obliging official. At the present time he is the efficient circuit court bailiff, appointed thereto by the judge of the court who, recognizing his worth, took this means of rewarding him.

Mr. Gettys is a member of the Pythian fraternity, belonging to Lodge No. 135, Hart¬ ford City, in which he has been called to fill various official positions. He is active in all work connected with the order and has done much to advance its interests since becom¬ ing identified with the lodge above named.

wherever he goes. Tie is full of spirit, leaves nothing undone which he undertakes and his reputation as an honorable gentleman has never been impeached or even suspected during the period of his residence in Hart¬ ford City. Indeed his life, passed within the confines of Blackford county, is an open book read by the public, which so far has found nothing to criticise, but much to com¬ mend. While heretofore filling subordinate places his many friends are justified in pre¬ dicting- for him something higher and more remunerative in the future. Whether or not these optimistic prophecies will result in ful¬ fillment, of one thing everybody is certain, towit : That no gentleman stands higher in the public esteem than Samuel Gettys or is more entitled to the confidence of the public.

Ashley Wells Clark

The gentleman whose biography is here¬ with presented traces his genealogy back to the pilgrim fathers of Massachusetts and clearly establishes kinship with some of the most illustrious members of that historic company. After a number of )^ears in the Plymouth colony several of the Clark family moved to Connecticut, others went to Ver¬ mont, some finally drifted to New Hamp¬ shire, while not a few of their descendants eventually settled in various parts of New York. The subject of this mention is de¬ scended from the Connecticut branch and he is also remotely related to quite a number of the name who have lived for several genera¬ tions in Oneida county, New York, where a number of Clarks have been for many years identified with affairs of church and state.

Mr. Clark's paternal grandfather was a personage of local prominence and is remem¬ bered as a man of gigantic stature and much more than ordinary powers of mind. He lived to the age of eighty-eight and his an¬ cestors before him were noted for longevity and great physical endurance. Gardner Clark, father of Ashley W., was born in Oneida county, November 28, 1835, and the mother, whose maiden name was Mary Sophronia Fenton, also a native of the same state, was born on the 19th day of February, 1847. Our subject's maternal ancestors were among the first white settlers of Con¬ necticut and later they figured in the pioneer history of York state, where many of the name still reside. The grandfather of Mrs. Mary S. Clark was for many years a noted sea captain and other members of the Fen¬ ton family were also seafaring.people, but the majority appear to have been tillers of the soil.

Ashley Wells Clark was born November 17, 1867, in New Albany, Indiana, and when four months old was taken by his par¬ ents to Alma, Michigan. . He attended the schools of the latter place during his youth¬ ful years and at the age of thirteen entered a glass factory for the purpose of learning glass gathering, a branch of the trade at which he soon became an expert. After be¬ coming familiar with his trade, he began working at the same in Michigan and later found employment in Bellaire, Findlay, and Fostoria, Ohio, Wellsburg, West Virginia, Streator, Illinois, and Pittsburg, Pennsyl¬ vania, and finally, in 1896, came to Hartford City, Indiana, where he has since been act¬ ively engaged in the manufacture of glass with encouraging financial results.

and Margaret (Donald) Saxbee, the issue of which union is two children : Gladys, born October 9, 1893, and Clarence, born April ] 5, J897, died on the 24th day of October following. Mr. Clark is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Hartford City Camp. No. 4962, in which he fills the office of sentry at the present time, and he also belongs to the Knights of Labor. Since December, 1891, he has been preceptor and chairman of the apprentice board, in which his services have been productive of much benefit.

Mr. Clark is a master of his trade and his skill as a workman has always com¬ manded the highest wages. Not only is he thoroughly familiar with the department to which his life has been devoted, but he is also well acquainted with every detail of glass manufacture, of which he has made a care¬ ful and intelligent study from his youth up. His residence in Hartford City has been mu¬ tually beneficial to himself and the commu¬ nity as he interests himself in whatever concerns the public and takes an active part in every movement for the promotion of the moral and material welfare of his adopted place. He is a gentleman of sterling worth, inheriting in a marked degree the sturdy qualities of his Puritan ancestry, and the people of Hartford City have found him to be an upright, intelligent and progressive citizen.

The name Monfort is historical. Read¬ ers of history will at once recall the Mon¬ forts who figured prominently during the Middle ages and the name also adorns some of the brightest pages of the days of chival¬ ry. Doc Mon fort is a lineal descendant of the celebrated family that bore such a con¬ spicuous part in the early war between France and England, and also proved a po¬ tential force in shaping state policy in dif¬ ferent countries in later times. Subjoined to the sketch of our subject are a few his¬ toric annals which will be perused with pleasure by those at all interested in matter of this character.

Doc Monfort, the son of Henry and Re¬ becca (Wood) Monfort, was born in the town of Franklin. Warren county, Ohio, May 8, 1859* When he was ten years old the family moved to Shelby ville, Indiana, where he attended school for a period of five years, and then began learning the plasterer's trade, at which he soon became a skillful workman. After working with his father and brother one year he went to Indianapolis, where he followed the trade four years, at the expiration of which time he engaged in agricultural pursuits near the town of Du¬ pont, Jennings county. After two years at that place he removed to Liberty Mills, Wabash county, where for a period of three years he carried on farming in connection with plastering, meeting with a fair degree of success the meantime. Mr. Monfort's next move was to Rushville, near which place he again tried his fortune as a tiller of the soil, continuing the same until, going to New Albany four years later. At the latter place he was engaged for two years in me¬ chanical work, principally bridge building, but afterwards resumed agriculture, which he carried on near Priam, Blackford county, until coming to Hartford City in 1887. Shortly after locating in Hartford City Mr. Monfort began contracting plastering work and followed the same successfully until 1896, in January of which year he accepted a position with the Hartford City Class Company, in whose employ he has since con¬ tinued. He began working for the company as a yard man, but is now engaged in filling the tanks, the duties of which he discharges creditably to himself and satisfactorily to those by whom he is employed.

On the 24th day of August, 1889, Mr. Monfort and Miss Mary Jane, daughter of George and Sophia (Anderson) Courtwright, became man and wife and their mar- riage has been blessed with two children : Mila Louise, born October 6, 1890, died January 16, 1893, and Walter Herschell, born January 23, 1898. Her father is a na¬ tive of Indiana, born in Blackford county, and the mother came from the state of Ohio. George Courtwright is a well known farmer of Jackson township, where he holds the of¬ fice of trustee, and in connection with agri¬ cultural pursuits he also carries on the mer¬ cantile business in the village of Priam.

Mr. Monfort is a member of the Macca¬ bees and Modern Woodmen, benevolent fra¬ ternities, and in religion is what may prop¬ erly be denominated a free-thinker. Sub¬ scribing to no creed or confession of faith, he is liberal in his opinions and, while repud¬ iating the commonly accepted belief in rev¬ elations, he is charitable of the views enter¬ tained by others, allowing them the same lat¬ itude he claims for himself. He is a reader and a thinker, has decided opinions upon all questions of the day, religious, political, in¬ dustrial and social, and when the occasion presents itself he maintains his views with arguments logically presented and not easily refuted. Mr. Monfort is a gentleman of good intentions, honest and upright in all his dealings with his fellow men, and no one has ever attributed to him anything not con¬ sistent with the highest integrity. He is

The first that is known of the name is Jean Monfort (IV), a Frenchman, Duke of Brittany, born in 1293 and died in 1345. 1 le was a son of Duke Arthur II, and succeeded his brother, Jean III, in 1341. lie had to contend for his duchy with Charles of Bl.ois, to whom Jean III had bequeathed it, and who was aided b)r King Phillip of Volois. In order to save Nantes from assault he sur¬ rendered and was carried prisoner to Paris, but his wife, Jeanne of Flanders, withdrew to Heimebou, where she defended herself against the forces of Charles, and was aided by Edward III, of England. Monfort es¬ caped in disguise in 1345, and after an at¬ tempt to capture Quimper, retired to Heime¬ bou. lie left a son who continued the war with Charles, and became duke as Jean V.

Simon de Monfort I, a French soldier, died June 25, 1218, engaged in the fourth crusade and in 1208 was elected the leader of the crusade against the Albigenses of southern France, whom he mercilessly pur¬ sued and slaughtered. On the taking of Bezais, 1209, more than 20,000 of its inhabi¬ tants were put to death. Monfort ruled des¬ potically over the territories which he had wrested from Count Raymond of Toulouse in this war and when Pedro II, King of Ara¬ gon, came to Raymond's aid the crusade defeated and kill him under the walls of Muret, September 12, 1213. Monfort be¬ sieged Toulouse for eight months, and was killed by a stone thrown from the wall. His elder son, Auraury, succeeded him as Count of Toulouse, became grand constable of France, and died in 1241 on his return from Palestine.

younger son of llie preceding, was. born about 1200, and was killed August 4, 1265. lie went to England in T231 and gained fav¬ or of Henry HI, who made him Earl of Leicester and governor of Gascony, and gave him the hand of his own sister Eleanor, Countess Dowager of Pembroke. He be¬ came the head of the barons who conspired to curtail the king's prerogative and in 1258 constrained him to sign provisions of Ox¬ ford, by which the whole power was thrown ,in the hands of twenty barons, controlled by Monfort. In May, 1264, he defeated the royal army at Lewis in Sussex, and captured the king. Llis overbearing conduct now ex¬ cited discontent, and the king's son, Prince Edward, who was kept as a hostage, having made his escape, many of his former oppon¬ ents joined his standard. Monfort was de¬ feated at Eversham and slain with one of his sons and many barons.

It is supposed that the American branch of bis family are direct descendants of this ir ly, as Franz Mon fort came to America on the ship Elizabeth in 1630, settling in Massachusetts. The descendants of this man have figured prominently in the numerous Indian, British, French and Revolutionary wars and in 1790 Alonzo Monfort came with his family to Ohio, where he died in 1814. From the last named is traceable in direct descent the immediate subject of this sketch.

John A. Remy

John Andrew Remy, attorney and coun¬ sel lor-at-law, was born in the town of Hope, Bartholemew county, Indiana, November 25, 1869, the son of Alfred II. and Sarah (Moore) Remy, both parents natives of the

Hoosier state. Alfred II. Remy was reared a farmer and followed his chosen calling un¬ til 1889, when he removed to the city of Kokomo, where he has since been engaged as a liveryman, llis wife, the daughter of John A. Moore, Esq., a prominent farmer of Shelby county, is the mother of ten children, all of whom are living at this time, John Andrew being the first in order of birth. Air. and Mrs. Remy are highly respected people of Kokomo and Mrs. Remy is an active member of the Methodist church at that place.

John Andrew Remy received his prelim¬ inary education in the common schools of his native town and at the age of seventeen became a student of Huntsville College, which he attended until his twentieth year. Meantime he turned his attention to various kinds of manual labor and for several years spent a part of his vacations operating an en¬ gine for threshing wheat. A short time prior to attaining his majority he went to Kokomo and engaged in the real estate business and while thus employed devoted his leisure to the study of law under the direction of Wil¬ liam P. Hofferbert and others, making a rapid and substantial progress in his legal researches. In 1891 he came to Hartford City and shortly thereafter was admitted to the Blackford county bar by Hon. R. T. St. John, judge of the judicial court. Air. Remy at once opened an office and engaged in the practice of his profession and in due season was rewarded with a lucrative business which has continually increased in volume and financial results to the present time. In 1893 he effected a co-partnership with Thomas AL Pierce, which lasted until 1897, since which date he has been alone in the practice. Aleanwhile, actuated by a com¬ mendable desire to add to his scholastic knowledge, lie entered upon the scientific course of study of Taylor University, which he completed in 1899, receiving his diploma that year. During the time thus spent, which covered the period from 1897 10 1S99, he was not a regular attendant at the university, but pursued his studies a part of the time under the direction of private tutors and was graduated with a commendable standing in his class,

Mr. Remy is a careful student and brought to his profession a mind well forti¬ fied with general knowledge and a thorough acquaintance with the principles of law. By patient industry he has won recognition at the Hartford City bar and is considered a safe and reliable counsellor, careful in the preparation of legal papers and sparing no pains to give his clients the best service at his command. His legal, career thus far has been marked by a high order of merit and since his admission to the practice he has been an ^important factor in the courts of Blackford county, standing deservedly high in the profession, with a future of still great¬ er promise before him. He was appointed city attorney in 1898 and still holds the po¬ sition to the satisfaction of the public.

Mr. Remy was married on the 9th day of November, 1892, to Miss Nettie Jocelyn, a native of Columbus, Indiana, and step¬ daughter of William Henderson, a wellknown resident of Columbus, Indiana. This happy wedded life was rudely terminated by the untimely death of Mrs. Remy on the 7th day of August, 1896.

In politics Mr. Remy is a Republican and has been all his life; he takes an active inter¬ est in political affairs 'and contributes his service to the party during campaigns, in a number of which his efforts have been of great value and highly appreciated. Fra¬

Michael Capper

Out of the religious and political convul¬ sions of Europe has come some of the best blood of America. The Puritans of New England, the Quakers, Germans and Scotch- Xrish of Pennsylvania. The coming of the Germans and the Scotch-Irish of the seven¬ teenth and eighteenth centuries, and others of their like, was not to satisfy the cravings of the animal nature. It was a protest against the then existing regime in their respective countries, and to this class of people are we indebted for the important contributions to the totality of our national life.

The gentleman whose name heads this biography is descended from both the Ger¬ man and Scotch-Irish race. His grandfa¬ ther was a native of Ireland and his grand¬ mother of Germany. He was born in Grant county, Indiana, March 28, 1839. Charles Capper, the father of our subject, was born in Virginia and there married Sarah Eliza¬ beth! McKeever. The grandparents, it is presumed, settled in Virginia on coming to America from their respective countries. In 1829 Charles Capper removed from Vir¬ ginia and settled in Grant county, Indiana. His family consisted of eight children, as follows: Lydia, Charles J., Thomas A., David and Michael, twins, Elmira Marga¬ ret, James and Merideth, and of this family the tin ee boys all served in the Civil war with the exception of Merideth, and in the same company, and all returned at the ex¬ piration of their term of service.

Michael Capper, the subject of this re¬ view, received his education in the public schools of his native county, and at the age of sixteen he engaged in farming, which oc¬ cupation he followed until August 16, i86t, when he, in response to his country's call, enlisted in Company F, Thirty-fourth In¬ diana Volunteers, and was mustered into the service at Anderson, Indiana. His regiment participated in the battle of Green River Bridge, and also some skirmishing at Bardstown, Kentucky. They were then forceinarched to Salt River and joined General Nelson and were embarked on boats and arrived at Fort Donaldson on the Red River, where they received reinforcements. They then went to St. Louis and were sent across the river to New Madrid, Missouri, where they had a hard engagement. From there they were sent into the country ten miles to the south where they captured a band of five hundred guerrillas going hence from there to Helena, Arkansas. At this point they laid in camp for a part of the summer, when they were ordered to Little Rock, by way of the White river. From this point they proceed¬ ed down the Mississippi to Natchez, where they were in camp about one week, when they were ordered to Vicksburg and ran the blockade, after which they were sent to Grand Gulf, on the Mississippi river. Here they crossed and, marching all night, in the morning they were engaged with the rebels at Magnolia Hills, which fight lasted all day. They then proceeded to Rayney, Mis¬ sissippi, and participated in the battle of Rayney, after which they went to Jackson, Mississippi, where they were again engaged and took the city. They were then ordered back to Vicksburg, from where, they were sent to Champion Hill, where the Confeder¬ ate army, composed of 75,000 men, was driven two miles down the Black river. 1 1 ere the federal forces built a pontoon bridge and drove the Confederates twelve miles into Vicksburg, when the siege commenced which lasted forty-seven days. They then followed the rebels back over the same ground to Jackson, and hence to the Mississippi river, where they took boat to New Orleans and were marched through Louisiana into Texas, where they were engaged at New Iberta. They were then ordered back to New Orleans and from there were sent again to Texas, to Gartas Island. Their time being about expired they re-enlisted and came home on a fur¬ lough, and upon its expiration reported back to New Orleans. They were then shipped to the mouth of the Rio Grand river, to the Island of Biasas Peach, and from there were sent two hundred and ninety miles up the Rio Grand river. Three months later peace was declared, and in the spring of 1865 they were discharged, two hundred and ninety miles up the Rio Grande river, but Mr. Cap¬ per was mustered out at Indianapolis in March, 1866, when he came home.

On the morning of August 16, 1863, our subject's major, who had charge of the post at New Madrid, Missouri, got orders to fix up winter quarters. On the morning mentioned the Major ordered Mr. Capper to take a man and go to the wreck of a ship and get some nails. When they got there, his companion took a crowbar and opened a box, which contained a nice kit of tools. Another box attracting his attention he thought he would open it; forcing the bar through the cover it struck a twenty-pound shell, which at once exploded, wounding them both and causing blindness to both. Eventually Mr. Capper recovered the sight of one eye, but his companion, Adison Keever, never recovered his sight and was totally blind. On his return from the army Mr. Capper engaged in farming, which lie fol¬ lowed until, he was forty years of age, when he located in Upland and engaged in (he house-moving business. Here he remained for twenty years, when he moved to Walnut Creek and in 1891 he settled in Hartford City and purchasing city'' lots, he bought a house and moved it upon one of the lots where he now resides. He now carries on his business of moving houses and the trans¬ porting of engines, boilers and heavy machin¬ ery of all kinds. Mr. Capper was married, on September 5, 1869, to Miss Lacy A. Darrin, daughter of Richard and Mary Ann Bougher, by whom he has had nine children : Odus, Ollie, Minnie, Lydia, Lillie, Dora, Luther, deceased, Le Roy, deceased, and Lewis.

John R. Gettys

The subject of this review, a son of Joseph and Maria (McMillan) Gettys, is a native of Blackford county, Indiana, born in the township of Licking on the 12th day of October, 1838. From this date it will be seen that he is one of the oldest natives of the county now living, and practically he has spent all his life within its borders. When of sufficient age he entered the old-fashioned subscription school, common in the western country a half century ago, and after attend¬ ing the same during the winter seasons until his eighteenth year began farming, which he pursued profitably for a period of thirtytwo years. In 1894 he abandoned agricul¬

Mr. Gettys was married, April 23, 1863, to Miss Anna E. Worster, who bore him four children: Maria E., now the wife of Henry Daugherty; Emma Y. married Alonzo Williams; S. Pomeroy, of Hartford City, now in the Phillipinc Islands, and Mary S. Ihe mother of these children was born in 1842, and departed this life November 20, 1890. Subsequently Mr. Gettys entered into the marriage relation with Jessie Bock, daughter of Milton and Elizabeth (Cain) Bock, a union without issue.

In 1864 Mr. Gettys was elected justice of the peace for Licking township, and served in that capacity for four years, discharging the duties of the office in a highly acceptable manner. A number of years ago he became identified with the Wesleyan Methodist church and has ever since been active in re¬ ligious work, holding at this time the posi¬ tion of trustee of his local congregation, be¬ sides being a regularly licensed minister. While not in charge of any circuit or station he frequently preaches at different places throughout the country and his services are in demand upon funeral occasions or in the absence of the regular pastor whose place he often fills to the edification of large and ap¬ preciative audiences.

Mr. Gettys grew from childhood to man¬ hood in the community where he was born and by his many admirable traits won the confidence and esteem of a large circle of friends and neighbors in Licking township and other parts of Blackford county. He has assisted in maintaining churches and schools, charitable and benevolent societies, and in every sense is an honored and valuable citizen. It is such men that make American communities the best in the world and it is such citizenship that makes a neighborhood strong and effective for good and worthy of emulation.

Mr. Getty's paternal grandfather, Joseph Gettys, was a soldier in the war of 1812 and several of his ancestors served with distinc¬ tion in the American Revolution. Joseph Gettys, the subject's father, was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania,, in the year 1800, and by occupation was a blacksmith.

' When a young man he became a resident of Ohio, and about the year 1836 came to In¬ diana, settling in Delaware county, where he married Maria McMillin. Later he moved to the county of Blackford where he spent the remainder of his life, dying on the home farm in Licking township; his widow is still living, having reached the ripe old age of eighty-three.

Joseph and Maria Gettys reared a family of four children, the subject of this sketch being the first in order of birth ; Mary Eliza¬ beth became the wife of Dr. Wheeler; Joseph L. died at the age of thirteen, and Malissa died when eleven years old.

Eli Hughes

Eli Hughes, of Hartford City, ex-county treasurer of Blackford county, was born in Jackson township, that county, three miles east of Hartford City, on the farm upon which stands the Gochnauer school house. This farm was entered by Samuel Goch¬ nauer, grandfather of Mr. Hughes, and it was deeded to him, the first deed given for the land being dated February 19, 1840. His parents were David and Eliza (Gochnauer) Hughes, the former of whom came from Virginia and was an only child. About all that is known of him is that he was of

Scotch-Irish ancestry. David Hughes and Eliza Gochnauer were married in Jackson township, and Eli was their only child, the mother dying when he was but two weeks old. David Hughes married, for his second wife, Tabitha Blunt, of Harrison township. He was a farmer by occupation, but also ran a mill, finally settling at Greenland, this county, where he died at about fifty-six years of age. His wife has also died, but some of their children are still living in the county.

Samuel Gochnauer, grandfather of the subject, was a native of Virginia, but of Ger¬ man parentage. He married Miss Catherine Waldamoth, and about 1837, when their children were all grown to mature years, removed from Virginia to Indiana, locating first in Henry county and later in Blackford county. After looking over the land, in company with his son-in-law, Jacob Emshwiller, he walked to Fort Wayne, going through the woods, guiding their course by 'the compass, and accomplishing the journey, a distance of fifty miles, in one day; there they entered the land. The first log house erected by Mr. Gochnauer was what may be with propriety called a "homemade" one, he himself having done all the work connected with the preparation of the materials of which it was constructed. Here he lived and died and with his wife lies buried in what may be called a neighborhood cemetery, on his farm. He was a typical pioneer, a large, strong, rugged man. By trade he was a cooper, and carried on this business in con¬ nection with the management of his farm. While not an office seeker, yet he served as county commissioner one term, tie was an old-line Jackson Democrat, first, last and all the time. As a mechanic he built grain cradles, spinning wheels and looms, and also made furniture, one of his tables, made of black walnut wood, in the first place split out of the tree and then finished up in fine style with an adze, being still retained in the fam¬ ily of Mr. Hughes as a souvenir of ancient days. His family consisted of three daugh¬ ters and two sons, the sons dying while yet young. The daughters were as follows : Mary Ann, wife of Jacob Emshwiller; Cath¬ erine, who married Joseph K. Hobson, and is now living in Allen county; and Eliza, the mother of the subject, who died, as stated

Mr. Hughes, after the death of his mother, was taken by his grandfather to rear, and upon reaching a sufficient age assisted in the clearing up of the farm. For his services thereon in clearing and managing it, it was deeded to him by his grandfather, and in re¬ turn for this act of generosity he cared for his grandfather and grandmother during the remainder of their lives, the former of whom was somewhat more than seventy years of age at the time of his dea:h, and was well known by all living in the vicinity. Mr. Hughes was married October 25, i860, to Miss Susan Ashbaugh, a native of Pennsyl¬ vania who was brought to Indiana by her parents, Jesse and Catherine Ashbaugh, they locating in Washington township when she was ten years of age. Here her father died when seventy-three years old and her mother at the age of eighty-five in Hartford City.

Aficr his marriage Mr. Hughes con¬ ducted the farm until he was elected treas¬ urer of the county, in November, 1878, in which office he served two terms. Previous to his being elected to this office he had held all the local township offices, such as super¬ visor, etc. Like his grandfather Goclmauer, lie is a Democrat, taking great interest in the welfare of his party, and continues to attend local, district and state conventions. He has also attended several national conventions, is well known to the leaders of the party, has much influence in county and state canpaigns and carries on much of the important work in his county and district. After the expira¬ tion of his last term as county treasurer he established himself in the grocery business, continuing in that line for sixteen years, when he sold out to his son, who continues to conduct the store up to the present time.

Mr. Hughes has always been a publicspirited citizen, ready at all times to aid in promoting internal improvements, both of a public and private nature. He was one of the first men in this part of the state to put in a gas well, his being the second gas well in Indiana. Ever since that time he has re¬ tained his interest in this line of industry. Having sold his farm, he invested his means in Hartford City property, erecting several residences which he still owns. He also erect¬ ed the two-story brick building occupied by him so many years when in the grocery busi¬ ness, and which is now occupied by his son. June 18, 1900, Mr. Hughes opened a general feed, flour, seed, tobacco and cigar store, wholesale and retail, called the New Idea Store.

Mr. Hughes and his wife are the parents of seven children, as follows: Malinda, who married Michael Schmidt, both of whom are deceased, but who left two children, Lena M. and Roy M. ; Jane, who died in infancy; Catherine, who married John David Tate, of Hartford City; Samuel, engaged in the grocery business; Ella, wife of Chester Brickley, of Hartford City;- Flora, wife of Franklin F. Smith, of Hartford City; Wal¬ ter and Eliza, the latter two living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes are members of the Lutheran church at Hartford City, and are highly esteemed by all who know them.

Elmer E. Shinn

Elmer Ellsworth Shinn, son of B. G. Shinn, was born on the 26th day of August, 1866, in Bluffton, Indiana. The greater part of his life has been spent in Hartford City, in the schools of which he received his educa¬ tional training, and his name is intimately connected with the growth and development of the place. O11 quitting school he en¬ gaged in business as news dealer and this he has since followed, being at the present time proprietor of a successful establishment which returns him a liberal and satisfactory income. On November 17, 1895, be was happily married to Mrs. Isabelle Gronendyke, daughter of Abyram Johnson, of this county.

James P. Rawlings

James Pressley Rawlings, treasurer of Blackford county, is paternally descended from an old Scotch family, which had rep-, resentatives in the state of New York, Ver¬ mont and Virginia as early as the colonial period. Lie comes from the Virginia branch and traces his lineage to his grandfather, William Rawlings, who was taken from Vir¬ ginia to Kentucky as long ago as 1780 and settled in the county of Fleming near the town of Flemingsburg. William Rawlings married, in the above town, Priscilla Day, also a native of Virginia, and became the father of six children, namely : Jefferson, Pressley, William, Frances, Martha and Fannie. He was a Universalist minister of considerable note in the early days of Fleming county and there he preached his faith for a number of years, besides planting many churches throughout various parts of Ken¬ tucky. He is remembered as a man of much ability, an able orator and indefatigable worker in the cause of religion and morality, and the purity of his life and motives were never questioned in the community where so much of his life was spent. lie died at a ripe old age in the year 1870.

William Rawlings, third son of the above William, was born in Fleming county, Ken¬ tucky, and there married Martha Valandingham, a lady of German extraction, who bore him children as follows: Jeremiah, born in 1843, died in 1890; he married Sophronia J. Johnson and had two children, Joseph and William. James Pressley, sub¬ ject of this biography, born March 24, 1836. Aaron, born in the year 1849, bas been an extensive traveler and at this time is seek¬ ing his fortunes in the newly discovered gold fields of Cape Nome, Alaska. William, the next son, was born in 1852, and departed this life in 1888. Mary Elizabeth, born 1855, became the wife of Emerson Coulter and died in 1889; she bore her husband two children, Lulu and Corintha. The next in order of birth is John Day, a resident at this time of Randolph county, Indiana; he was born in 1858. Oliver, the youngest member of the family, was born in the year 1861; lie married Nancy Magunigell and has three children.

James Pressley Rawlings, the date of whose birth is noted in a preceding para¬ graph, first saw the light of day on the pa¬ ternal estate near Flemingsburg, Kentucky, and there lived until ten years of age. His father then moved to Randolph county, Indi¬ ana, and engaged in agricultuial pursuits and there, amid peaceful, rural scenes, young Rawlings grew to early manhood, assisting his father upon the home farm and attending the district schools at intervals in the mean- time. At the breaking out of the great Re¬ bellion it was his purpose to enter the army, but by reason of physical disability he was not permitted to carry his object into effect. At the age of nineteen he began life for him¬ self, choosing for his vocation the pursuit of agriculture, which he followed with en¬ couraging results until 1890, at which time he moved to the town of Montpelier, In¬ diana, and engaged in the lumber and timber business.

lid continued these lines of trade until the discovery of oil in central Indiana, when he at once turned his attention in that di¬ rection by accepting a po. ition with the Ohio Oil 'Company, a branch of the Standard Oil Company, in the employ of which he con¬ tinued until 1896. Meanwhile Mr. Raw¬ lings had taken considerable interest in local politics and in the above year he was the Democratic candidate for county treasurer. After a spirited contest he was triumphantly elected and such was the efficiency displayed as custodian of the public funds that at the ensuing election, in November, 1898, he was chosen his own successor by the largest vote ever received by any man in Blackford coun¬ ty for that office. Immediately after his first election Mr. Rawlings removed to Hart¬ ford City and here lie has since resided, a faithful and painstaking official and a rep¬ resentative citizen in the widest sense in which the term is usually accepted. On July 18, 1900. Mr. Rawlings received the unanimous nomination of his party for the office of joint representative to the legisla¬ ture from the counties of Blackford, Jay and Randolph and will make an active canvass for election.

in many other ways active in promoting the material prosperity of that thriving place. At the age of twenty-one he was made an Odd Fellow, since which time he has re¬ tained membership with Losantville Lodge, No. 232, having filled all the offices in the same, besides serving three years as an offi¬ cial in the grand lodge of the state. Mr. Rawlings was married on the 10th day of October, 1869, to Lillie O. Wiggins, daugh¬ ter of Lemuel and Mary (Stanley) Wiggins. This union was blessed with four children, whose names and dates of birth are as ft. lows: Owen A., March 5, 1S71, married Gertrude Winters and has two chil¬ dren, Margaret and James; Lulu Blanche, born December 15, 1874, married A. G. Emshwiller, of Montpelier, and is the mother of one child, James Raw¬ lings Emshwiller; Clarence Lemuel, who was born November 11, 1876, and married Bes¬ sie Gettys, of Hartford City; Lewis W., born June 27, 1881, at this time deputy county treasurer under his father.

Previous to coming to Hartford City Mr. Rawlings disposed of his real estate in the country and since that time has made judicious investments in Hartford City and elsewhere. Financially his success has been encouraging and at the present time, in ad¬ dition to his property interests he is con¬ nected with the Diamond Flint Glass Com¬ pany of Hartford City, of which he holds the office of vice-president.

Both as official and as private citizen Mr. Rawlings is highly esteemed and it is univer¬ sally conceded that the county of Blackford has never been honored by a more popular and efficient public servant. Possessing in a marked degree the characteristics of judg¬ ment and caution, he is exceedingly careful in looking after the people's interests and as long as he remains in the office he now holds the people will rest satisfied that their funds are in safe and reliable hands. In the private walks of life he has been a useful member of society, generous of impulse and reliable in all his dealings and he is spoken of by his many friends and neighbors as a gentleman of sterling worth and unques¬ tioned integrity. His character is above re¬ proach and his good name entitles him to conspicuous mention as one of Blackford county's substantial citizens and representa¬ tive men.

John W. Moon

John Wesley Moon, a well-known me¬ chanic of Hartford City, was born in Fay¬ ette county, Ohio, November 9, 1843, the son of Harrison and Eleanor (Swift) Moon. On his father's side Mr. Moon traces his genealogy back to Wales, from which country his great-grandfather came to America many years ago and settled in Virginia. The Swifts came origin¬ ally from Ireland prior to the war for American independence and were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania. It is a mat¬ ter of family history that his maternal an¬ cestors were compelled to flee from their na¬ tive country by reason of religious persecu¬ tion and came to America where they could worship God without let or hindrance.

In the subject of this sketch are com¬ bined the sterling traits characteristic of the two sturdy races from which he is descend¬ ed and throughout life he has exemplified the virtues of an honest, earnest and God¬ fearing ancestry. At the age of twb years John Wesley was brought by his parents to Blackford county, consequently his life with that trifling exception has been passed on In¬ diana soil. In common with the majority of country boys he early attended the com¬ mon schools and grew to manhood on the farm where he assisted his father until reaching his twentieth year. He then began to work at blacksmithing under the direc¬ tion of James V. Morgan of Wabash, In¬ diana, and with such assiduity did he apply himself to the trade that within a compara¬ tively short time he became much more than ordinarily skillful as a mechanic. After be¬ coming a proficient workman he opened a shop in Hartford City where he carried on a remunerative business until within a few years past and such was his reputation that his shop was, for the greater part of the time, thronged with customers so that sev¬ eral additional helpers became necessary.

Recently Mr. Moon decided to abandon his trade for less exacting employment. Ac¬ cordingly he accepted a position in the veneer department of the Jones Glass Works, which place he is now filling. Mr. Moon has long been an enthusiastic member of the Odd Fellows order, having passed all the chairs in Hartford City Lodge, No. 262, besides being sent as representative to the grand lodge and also to the grand encampment, in the latter of which he has been called to important official stations. He has been twice married, the first time, in October,

1 868, died in the year 1869; Leona, born in 1875, died m 1887, and two that died in in¬ fancy unnamed. Mrs. Moon departed this life in 1877 and subsequently Mr. Moon married his present wife, Margaret A. Blair, daughter of Henry and Hannah (Moon) Blair. Duncan Blair, the grandfather of

Mrs. Moon, was a native of Scotland, came to America at the time of the Revolutionary war, and, it is supposed, was in the service, for he was taken prisoner. He settled in Virginia, where he died. He married Betsey R. Wethington and they were the parents of eight children : William, Thomas, Nancy, James, Polly, John, Daniel and Peggy. Daniel was the father of Mrs. Moon, was born in Virginia and settled in Ohio, where he died.

Mr. Moon is an orthodox Methodist and an active worker in the congregation wor¬ shiping in Hartford City; his wife adheres to the same religious belief and both are prized for their many deeds of charity and the great interest they manifest in the moral advancement of the community.

From early boyhood Mr. Moon has earned his bread by the sweat of his brow, and he thoroughly appreciates the true dig¬ nity of honest toil. What he does is done well and whatever he undertakes is almost sure of ultimate accomplishment. He pos¬ sesses the gift of determination and once be¬ lieving he is right nothing can swerve him from his purpose. Honest and upright in character and diligent in business, he has made his influence felt among the people of Hartford City, and the universal verdict of the community is that he measures up to the true standard of manhood as found in the golden rule, "Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them." each other. Some, of little consequence to the casual observer, yet occupying import¬ ant places in the body politic, arrest but slight attention, while others, upon whom devolve the control of important interests, are con¬ spicuous by reason of moulding public senti¬ ment, and directing in a large measure the destiny of a community. With the latter class it is eminently fitting to include the well-known gentleman whose name intro¬ duces this biography, a man who by com¬ mon consent has exercised a potent in¬ fluence upon the industrial interests of Hart¬ ford City, and by a long and honorable life devoted to that most powerful of all factors, business, has given strength and stability to a community long noted for the high char¬ acter of its citizenship.

Charles Stephen Leonard is an American by adoption. He first saw the light of day on the 2(1 of April, 1836, in the historic old city of Metz, France, of which place his par¬ ents, Matthew and Anna (Ballard) Leon¬ ard, were natives, as were also his ancestors for many previous generations. When Charles was but two years of age his par¬ ents, thinking to better their condition in a land fraught with greater opportunities, emigrated to the United States, landing in April, 1838, in the city of New York, from which place they immediately proceeded westward to Zanesville, Ohio, where they es¬ tablished a home and remained until 1843. In that year the elder Leonard changed his residence to Perry county, Ohio, where he was variously employed for a period of ten years, moving, in 1853, to Wells county, Indiana, where he continued until the death of his wife, in September, 1870. He then located in the town of Montpelier, Indiana, and later, about 1878, became a resident of Hartford City, where he made his home

The family of Matthew and Anna Leon¬ ard consisted of nine children, six of whom were born in France and three in the United States. Of the number but two are now living*: John P. A., ex-auditor and retired banker of Hartford City and the immediate subject of this sketch.

It is a fitting* tribute to the late Matthew Leonard to speak of him as a man of noble and generous impulses, of more than or¬ dinary mental endowments, possessing in a marked degree those social qualities which won him numerous friends wherever his lot was cast, - in fact, a conspicuous example of the true born gentleman of the old school. Fie reached the shores of the new world with exhausted means, the sum total of his avail¬ able cash at the time being less than one dollar; yet at his death he was the possessor of a comfortable competence, owning con¬ siderable personal property, a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres, the result of his own unaided efforts. Reared a Cath¬ olic, he was ever loyal to the teachings of his beloved church, and by a life void of of¬ fense toward God and man exemplified in his daily waf and conversation the purity of the faith he possessed. In politics he was a Democrat, believing thoroughly in the un¬ derlying principles of the party and never swerving in his loyalty from the time of his naturalization until his death.

As already stated, Charles Stephen Leon¬ ard was but two years old when brought to the United States and he has never known any other country. With the advantages of such an education as the indifferent public schools of early days in Ohio afforded he grew up with but limited scholastic training, and while still quite young was compelled to contribute to the support of the family and to assist his father in getting a substantial start in life. He remained under the pa¬ rental roof until attaining his majority, at which time he embarked on the sea of life for himself as a builder of cisterns in Muncie, Indiana, where, in partnership with a friend, Robert Alexander, he carried on the business with fair success for a limited period. I11 the fall of 1858 he engaged in agricultural pursuits in Delaware county upon land leased for the purpose, and, after remain¬ ing there till 1862, removed to the county of Wells, where he purchased a farm of forty acres. He greatly improved his place and continued to reside thereon until 1867, when he disposed of the same to advantage, and, removing to Hartford City, opened a meat market, which he conducted with encourag¬ ing success until his election as sheriff of Blackford county in the fall of 1870. Mr. Leonard entered upon the discharge of his official duties in the fall of 1871 and dis¬ charged the same with commendable fidelity for two years. At the expiration of his of¬ ficial term he engaged in contracting and building and during the several years suc¬ ceeding erected a school house in Celina, Mercer county, Ohio.

Returning to Hartford City, his next en¬ terprise was the livery business, which he carried on with financial success for a short time, and then turned his attention to the manufacture of lumber. For a period of five years he owned and operated a large saw-mill in Hartford City, which, like the various enterprises to which he had pre¬ viously turned his hand, proved handsomely remuneratively. Subsequently he moved his mill to a point east of the city and continued the business upon quite an extensive scale until 1895, when he disposed of the enter¬ prise and accepted a position of salesman with the Mercer Lumber Company, contin¬ uing in that capacity until 1900, when he practically retired from active duties of life.

Mr. Leonard is a married man and the father of three children. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth C., daughter of Robert and Alary (Wilkinson) Alexander, and to whom he was joined in wedlock in Wells county, Indiana, on the 10th day of December, 1857, was born Alarch 22, 1835, in. Logan county, Ohio. She is descended from two old Pennsylvania and Virginia families and has borne her husband the fol¬ lowing children : Ashel, deceased, Robert F., and Alatthew, deceased.

Reference has already been made to Air. Leonard's public life as an official of Black¬ ford county, from which fact it will at once be seen that he has been actively interested in matters political. From early youth he has manifested a liking for all affairs per¬ taining to the public, and being a man of vigorous personality and a natural leader of men he long ago entered the political arena, not as an aspirant for official positions, but for the good of the party, in the principles of which he has ever been a strong believer Receiving his first lessons in politics from his father, who, as already stated, was an unswerving Democrat, he has never departed from that political faith, and the party in this county is indebted to his judicious counsel and aggressive leadership for much of its success in numerous local, state and national campaigns. In addition to the sheriffalty he has at different times held various municipal offices, among which was that of common councilman, he being one of the first mem¬ bers of that body elected under the city char¬ ter. While in the council he was ever active in behalf of the city's interests and brought about much important municipal legislation. He also has a military record, having been one of the brave men who tendered their services in defense of the national Union during t: e dark and trying period of the great Rebellion. Entering the army Octo¬ ber 12, 1864, in Company I, Ninth Indiana Affilunteer Infantry, under Captain Nutt, he was assigned with his command to the Army of the Cumberland, and served under General Thomas one year and thirteen days, taking part in the several campaigns and numerous battles in which that army partici¬ pated. During his period of enlistment he was never absent from duty an hour and never experienced a day's sickness, a record such as few can boast. He received his dis¬ charge at. Victoria, Texas, October 19, 1865, and since that date has devoted his time and energies to the peaceful pursuits of civil life. In this connection it may be of interest to state that an uncle of Mr. Leonard's, his father's brother, was one of the guards of honor detailed to escort the Alarquis De LaFayette on that nobleman's historic tour of the United States.

From the foregoing brief epitome it will be seen that the life of Air. Leonard, even before arriving at years of maturity, has been one of great activity, devoted primarily to his own private affairs, but in a general way to the growth and development of the various communities where he has been such a prominent factor. A striking character¬ istic, distinguishing him from the majority of people, is an unusual endowment of en¬ ergy, a perseverance giving way before no obstacle, however formidable, and a tenacity of purpose which long ago led him to elim¬ inate from his vocabulary the word ''fail." With a mind adapted to the needs and emergencies of business, be has steadily and judiciously managed bis large and varied interests, achieving most satisfactory results and winning for himself a name for highminded dealing second to that of no other man of his adopted city or county. Unas¬ suming in manners and never interfering with affairs that do not concern him, he pos¬ sesses social and moral qualities that win him many friends.

Upright in all his dealings, his residence in Hartford City and his daily walk and con¬ versation have been such as to exalt him in the estimation of the public and accord his name a permanent place among the success¬ ful and substantial men of Hartford City and Blackford county.

James F. Geiger

James Finley Geiger, attorney-at-law and county superintendent of schools, is a native of Indiana, born in the county of Jay on the 28th of January, 1868. The father, John Geiger, a farmer by occupation, was born near Columbus, Ohio, and when but a child was brought to Indiana, growing to man¬ hood on the home farm in Jay county, where the family settled about the year 1840. He married there, in 1866, Mary Spahr, who bore him two children, James F., and Addie, wife of Edward B. Addington. John Gei¬ ger was a soldier in the late Civil war, serv¬ ing three years in Company B, Thirty-fourth Indiana Infantry, during which time he par¬ ticipated in a number of bloody battles, re¬ ceiving a severe wound at Champion Hill, on account of which he was compelled to leave the army. Since the war he has fol¬ lowed the pursuit of agriculture and stock raising with success and financial profit, be¬ ing at this time one of the well-to-do farm¬ ers of his countv, owning four hundred acres of fine land, upon which are many valuable improvements. As a citizen he has always been public spirited, and as a local politician of the Republican party few men are as in¬ fluential in the community where he lives or possesses as wide and varied knowledge of the leading political, industrial or economic questions of the day.

James Finley Geiger attended the dis¬ trict schools near his home place until his fourteenth year, from which time until eight¬ een years old he was a student of the Eastern Indiana Normal School, at Portland, attend¬ ing the fall and winter terms and working on the farm during the summer seasons.

He completed the scientific course before nineteen and for the four succeeding vears taught the home school, at the end of which time he was made superintendent of the schools of Red Key. Mr. Geiger's first license was for one year, after which he re¬ ceived consecutively two three-years licenses, a fact which speaks much for a your man not yet twenty-one. Such was the progress made in his scholastic knowledge and profes¬ sional success that on attaining his majority he obtained an eight-years license, and a few years later successfully passed examina¬ tion for a state life license, entitling him to teach for life in the public schools of In¬ diana.

While discharging the duties of the superintendency Mr. Geiger began the study of law, for which he had early manifested a decided liking, devoting thereto his vaca¬ tions in the office of F. N. Snyder, of Port¬ land. Subsequently he pursued his profes¬ sional reading under the direction of Lafallette & Adair, of that city, and then be- came a student at the State University at Bloomington, where he took the law course and from which he was graduated after an attendance of two years. Immediately there¬ after, 1894, he was admitted to the Black¬ ford county bar by Judge Vaughn and at once entered upon the active practice of his profession, for the first three months alone, and afterward for a period of two years in partnership with Charles M. Fouts. In the meantime he did considerable work as a teacher in the Hartford City high school, where he had charge of the classes in civics and history, devoting thereto one-half of each day and the remainder of the time giv¬ ing attention to his law business. He was thus engaged for one year, when, upon the urgent solicitation of the school board, he taught full time during the following term, at the expiration of which, in the spring of

1896, he resumed the practice of law in part¬ nership with Thomas M. Pierce. The firm thus constituted lasted about six months, when Mr. Geiger purchased his associate's library and continued alone until the fall of

1897, when he was elected by the board of education superintendent of the public schools of Blackford county. This position he has since held, and in the discharge of the duties incident thereto his reputation is such as to place him among the ablest and most successful educators of the state.

During his incumbency Mr. Geiger has introduced a number of much needed re¬ forms in the general management of rural schools, and by awakening a lively interest in behalf of literature and nature study has brought those two branches to a high state of excellence throughout the county. He has also devoted much time and attention to work in the primary grades, and by per¬ sonally attending each township institute has succeeded in arousing much enthusiasm among his teachers, many of whom receive their appointments through his recommenda¬ tion. Having at heart the best interest of the schools, he selects only those who, by reason of literary ability and professional merit, have proved their efficiency, and as a conscientious public servant he knows no tear or favor in the discharge of his official functions.

Mr. Geiger is a gentleman of scholarly tastes, with a profound knowledge of general literature, while in his special lines of his¬ tory and mathematics he has few equals and no superiors among the superintendents of the state. His enthusiasm as an educator has been felt among the schools of Blackford county ever since Ids election as their execu¬ tive head and the high state of efficiency they now enjoy is largely due to the interest he has manifested in their behalf, by elim¬ inating as far as is in his power incompetents and supplying their places with teachers of well-known scholastic training and profes¬ sional experience.

Mr. Geiger is a married man and the fa¬ ther of one child, John William Geiger. His wife, whom he married on the 20th day of August, 1896, was Miss Lora V. Cline, whose birth occurred in Blackford county September 28, 1867. She is the daughter of W. W. and Harriet (Chaffee) Cline, of Hartford City. Mrs. Geiger is a lady of many excellent qualities of head and heart, having a large circle of friends in this city, and is an active member of the Methodist church, to which her husband also belongs. She is well educated, having been a student at De Pauw University, and also a teacher in the schools of Hartford City several years

For some time Mr. Geiger was interested in the industrial growth of Hartford City as a stockholder and director in a glass com¬ pany, and while not actively identified with any manufacturing establishment at the pres¬ ent time he is, nevertheless, a public-spirited citizen, heartily endorsing any movement for the material benefit of the city and seconding anything having for its object the advance¬ ment of the intellectual or moral status of the community. In politics he is a Repub¬ lican, active in the counsels of his party and contributing to its success as a worker in the ranks during the progress of campaigns, local, state and national.