Washington Township (part 7 of 16)

- .1 reulun rock ml, and the developments had begun to creep over into Indiana. Mr. j Mount thought well ol the production of pe¬ troleum as a business pursuit, as others were seemingly making unusual success of it, greater than was to he had in ordinary com¬ mercial enterprise, and he decided to em¬ bark in it. 1 1 is first experiences were any¬ thing hut encouraging and w ere the means of causing* the balance to fall, on the wrong side of the ledger. But after a period of dry-hole drilling he got into the right place, and from that time forward success in the oil field seemed to mark his pathway at each advancing step. Once his luck had turned, however, good fortune seemed to come his way continuously. The Nottingham pool in Nottingham township, Wells county, was the scene of his first exploit in the produc¬ tion of the oleaginous fluid thu. lights the world. His introduction into this business was marked by the drilling of seven dry ho' s in the Nottingham pool, not a very enc< ag¬ ing beginning for a young man, and practi¬ cally a novice in the business. Being pos¬ sessed of that great American characteris¬ tic known as "grit," he stuck to the busi¬ ness and fortune soon began to smile on bis efforts, for after his repeated failures he finally drilled in a three-hundred barrel well on the Nottingham pool, and this within a short distance of the dusters which marked his first failures. The three-hundred-barrel well seemed to be the turning point in his experience as an oil man, and the second well started at four hundred barrels daily, while the third was good for three hundred and fifty barrels, and the fourth was a real gusher, its initial production being one thou¬ sand barrels for the first twenty-four hours. With his star in the ascendancy he made quite extensive developments in the Not- tingham pool, drilling some fourteen wells, which yielded him a nice daily production when settled and lsuring him an income of considerable extent. Very fair success also attended t! e drilling of three wells on a farm in Harrison township, Blackford coun¬ ty, while Air. Mount was looking for new fields to conquer. To him belongs the credit of opening and developing w hat is know n as Pouless pool, embracing a number of largesized farms and being located south from the town of W arren, Indian Drilling two wells in this pool, both t hich were more titan average producers, h old out his hold¬ ings to Fishburn & Clottry, of Chicago, for nine thousand live hundred dollars, being practically this amount ahead of the deal in opening the new pool, lie also has the dis¬ tinction of opening the Alexandria pool, in Madison county, known as the gas district. Here he drilled Jive wells in the limits of the town, and four of them were good producers, the average production being one hundred barrels daily. I11 this locality lie had some four hundred acres under lease, and would have operated on an extensive scale had not the state authorities shut off ail operations under an old law governing the gas develop¬ ment of the state. This ended his opera¬ tions at Alexandria, and probably lost for him a very good tiling in the line of produc¬ tion. Froi 1 Warren he returned to the Chester township pool, in Webs county, be¬ lieving that spot offered good inducements for an active man. Casting about for an opportunity, he secured and purchased the Lancaster property of six wells and three hundred and twenty acres for twenty-live hundred dollars, and it looked like a good thing at that figure. In purchasing this piece of property Ah'. Mount's judgment was very good, for the first well he drilled in af-

! and he had started the fourth well when he i sold out to a Cleveland man for the snug 1 sum of fifteen thousand dollars, not having i been in possession of the property a great ; while. But in the time he had had pos.ses- I sion of the lease he had taken out something j like ten thousand dollars worth of oil ; lienee | it might be said he made very close to j twenty-five thousand dollars by this deal.

| as well as the money derived from the sale, were at once reinvested in the Twibell prop- | erty, in the same district, consisting of six producing wells and one hundred and fifty I acres, a promising piece of territory and only partially developed. Three wells have al¬ ready been drilled on this property, the first starting at forty barrels, the second at thii ly barrels and the third at one hundred and twenty barrels, materially adding to the i daily output as well as to the value of the property as producing territory. Mr. Mount retains and is still operating this piece of territory, which promises to yield him a fortune in a short time at the remu¬ nerative price now obtained for the Indiana product. The Nottingham township hold¬ ings were disposed of by Mr. Mount in 1898, at a handsome profit, and he is now devoting his entire attention to the Chester township production.

Thus w:e find that within the period of a i very few years he has taken a place among i tlie foremost producers of oil in the state of Indiana, giving to the development that cour¬ age which enables him to go ahead and drill in spots where even a more experienced man would hesitate to take the chances, hut the results have in almost every case proved the value of bis theories regarding the local 'on | of oil deposits, and now his advice is often sought questions regarding (he prospect¬ ive value of oil properties which is in am doubt. Mr. Mount's career in the Indiana j field, with the exception of the reverses met i with at the very outset, has been a most sue- ! cessful one in the production of oil and the handling of real estate. Keen business sa¬ gacity, pluck, and a desire to forge ahead have made him today one of the most substantial and best posted men and operators in the Indiana field, even though he may lack a few of the years which rest upon the heads j of the men who have been longer in the busi- j ness and who may have had their trials and j tribulations in Pennsylvania before embark¬ ing in business in the western field.

Mr. Mount's success is a striking exampie of what perseverance and indomitable ! energy can accomplish in an oil field like that of Indiana. He is what may well be called a self-made man, and all bis success lias been the result his own effort unaided by any¬ thing othe: than his brain power, business acumen a' ; energy. Located in a pleasant home in Muncie, he is regarded as one of the most popular operators in Indiana, not only with the producing fraternity, but with all classes of people with whom he comes in contact. Mr. Mount was married in De¬ cember, 1889, to Miss Catharine \Y. Marpie, of New York city, and to them one child, now aged ten years, has come to bless their home.

James Franklin Covault

nia. Subsequent! v fliree brothers of the name moved to Ohio, locating in Miami county, where numerous descendants still re¬ side. The Doctor was born in the above count)' and state August 17, 1847. and is the son of Isaiah J. and Nancy ( Russell ) Covault, who with their children became residents of Bluff ton, Indiana, in the winter of 1849.

Dr. Covault's educational experience embraced the branches constituting the pub¬ lic school curriculum and until Jiis seveneenth year he pursued his studies in the town of Blufifton. During the five years fol¬ lowing his leaving school he worked in his father's meat market in the above place, the meantime devoting bis leisure to the study of dentistry under the direction of Drs. Downing', of Ohio, and Sturgis, of Bluffton. After becoming proficient in the pro¬ fession he began the practice in Blackford county where for a period of twenty-four years. he has done a very satisfactory busi¬ ness, being at this time the oldest practi¬ tioner and leading dental surgeon in Black¬ ford county. The better to prepare himself for skillful work and also for the purpose of keeping fully abreast of the times in all matters pertaining to the profession, the Doctor in 1894 took a post-graduate course in the Chicago College of Dental Surgery, since which time he has done a greatly in¬ creased business in his beautiful and commo¬ dious parlors in tin's city. Dr. Covault's professional success is the fruit of diligent application and skillful work resulting there¬ from. He numbers among his patients me best people of Montpelier and not infre¬ quently have his services been much in de¬ mand by individuals residing in various parts of Blackford and other counties.

cembcr 22, 1877, to Miss Phebe 1C. Goodin, the result of which i family of five chil¬ dren. namely : Clara .M. nun ried John A. To- | man; Janies Ernest, Clarence \ ., deceased, Franklin Wayne and William Mnrrcl.

Doctor Covault is a member of the Pyth¬ ian brotherhood, belonging- to f art ford City Lodge. No. 12 v I11 matters religious he adheres to no church and while tolerant of all beliefs is what may with propriety be termed a free thinker. Politically he is a supporter of the Democratic party, earnest in the advocacy of its principles, but by no means an aspirant for official honors. He is first of all a professional man, but in addi¬ tion thereto is popular in social circles and public minded in all that concerns the ma¬ terial and moral advancement of the commu¬ nity. While a resident of Bluffton be served as deputy sheriff under his father rend during his incumbency became widely and favorably known, being in fact familiar with every highway and byway' of Wells county. By reason of his official duties he came in con¬ tact with nearly every citizen of the above county and there, as in Blackford county, his name is spoken of in terms most compli¬ mentary.

John Burns

John Burns, attorney and counsellor at law, son of Joseph and Anna Burns, was born in Wells county, Indiana, on the 10th day of April, 1871. lie received his pre¬ liminary education in the common schools, supplemented by a full course in the Bluffton high school, from which he was graduated in 1890, but previous to that time he was en¬ gaged for four years as teacher in his native county. Following his graduation he taught two years and in 1893 began the study of law at Bluffton in the office 01 Mar¬ tin & Vaughn, where he remained for a per¬ iod of about six months. Impressed with a desire to increase his professional knowledge Mr. Burns next entered the Sprague Corres¬ ponding School, Detroit, Michigan, the pre¬ scribed course of which lie completed in the latter part of 1894 and immediately there¬ after was admitted to the Wells county bar at Bluffton. Fortified with a thorough pro¬ fessional training, he selected .Montpelier as a location and at once began the practice un¬ der the most favorable auspices, forming a partnership with his father which is still maintained.

During the first two years of his prac¬ tice Mr. Burns served as deputy prosecutor of the twenty-eighth judicial circuit and as such acquitted himself to the satisfaction of his superior and also attracted the favorable attention of the leading' lawyers in Black¬ ford and neighboring counties. His career thus far has been marked with unqualified success ; he ranks well as a counselor, is skill¬ ful in the presentation of his case in court and is highly regarded by his associates in the profession. A sound reasoner and able Speaker, careful and discriminating in all he undertakes, he enjoys the reputation of be¬ ing an able and thoroughly conscientious advocate. While the bulk of bis legal busi¬ ness is confined to Montpelier, lie has at dif¬ ferent times been called to other points and wherever his services have been utilized he lias acquitted himself to the satisfaction of those by whom he was retained.

Mr. Burns was married, February 2, 1894, to Miss Zina Tfyer, daughter of New¬ ton and All ie (Collier) I Iyer, the result of which union is two children, William A., born April 25. 1895, and Lillie E., born March 4, 1897.

Mr. Burns is descended from Irish an¬ cestry. ! I is grandfather, Michael Burns, came from the old country a number of years ago, v.-ltling first in the city of New Or¬ leans, thence subsequently came to [ay coun¬ ty, Indiana. Later Michael Burns was a resident of Wells county for a short time and then moved to the town of Montpelier where his death occurred at a. ripe old age. 1 Le married Emily Fitzgerald and reared a family of four children, viz.: John, Emily, deceased; Mary, deceased, and Joseph, the last, named the father of the subject of this mention; all of the above children were born before the family emigrated to the L nitc.d States.

Joseph Burns was three years old when brought to America and he grew to manhood in jay county, Indiana. He read law under the direction of Martin &r Martin, a wellknown legal firm of .Bluffton, and shortly after his admission to the bar removed to Montpelier where lie has since practiced his profession with success and financial profit, lie married, in. Wells county, Anne McCaf¬ frey, (laughter of James and Bessie (Er¬ vin) McCaffrey and is the father of ten chil¬ dren, namely: John, William, James, Mich¬ ael T., Joseph EL, Mary E., Patrick G., Bes¬ sie, Anna and Felix. He has received the unanimous nomination by his party (the Democratic) for the office of prosecuting attorney of the twenty-eighth judicial dis¬ trict.

David Alonzo Bryson

D. A. Bryson, cashier of the First Na¬ tional Bank of Montpelier, is a native of But¬ ler county, Pennsylvania, where he was born May 16, 1852, Paternally lie is

! descended from Scotch ancestry and on the mother's side from the German, both families | settling many years ago in Berks county, Pennsylvania, where his parents. Thomas and Hannah (llenshaw) Bryson, were both horn and reared.

Thomas Bn soli was a farmer by. occupa¬ tion and died in 1898 at the advanced age ot eighty-five years. He reared a family of nine children, whose names are as follows: James C. ; John A., deceased; \V. F. and J. Ik, twins, both soldiers in the late Civil war; Eli. also a soldier during the Rebellion; Sa¬ rah E. ; D. A.; Elizabeth, wife of James Howard, both deceased, and Ida Jane, who | married W. C. Robeson. D. A. Bryson was two years old when the family moved to Wells county, Indiana, and until his fifteenth year lie attended the district schools of his j neighborhood. Later he took a commercial | course in a business college at the town of , Roanoke and the further to add to his schol | astic attainments entered Liber College, Jay county, where he pursued the higher branches of learning during one term.

After leaving college Mr. Bryson en¬ gaged in the lumber business, which he car¬ ried 011 until 1896, when he accepted the po¬ sition of cashier in the bank at Montpelier, discharging the duties incident thereto about two and a half years. With the consolida¬ tion of the two banks of the place into what was known as The I -tilers' Deposit Bank he remained cashier and again, two years later, lie was induced to continue in a similar capacity with the First National Bank of Montpelier, organized in 1900.

Mr. Bryson is an accomplished account¬ ant, familiar with every detail of the bank¬ ing business, and has earned a well merited reputation as a safe and reliable financier. I le enjoys the confidence of his superiors, is earnest in all his efforts to promote the in¬ terest of the. institution with which he is con¬ nected and the people of Montpelier have found him a most efficient and affable man with whom to transact business. He is in¬ terested in three fraternal organizations, the Masonic, Rythian and Elks orders, in all of which he is recognized as an earnest and faithful worker. lie belongs to Lodge No. 600. b . & A. M., holding at this time the of¬ fice of treasurer, and it has been his good fortune to fill every position within the pow¬ er of Lodge No. 188, K. of P., to bestow. His membership in the B. P. O. E. is with Mtincie Lodge, No. 245, and lie believes in the future of this great and rapidly-grow¬ ing fraternity.

Mr. Bryson was married, August 22, 1881, to Miss Sarah Ryan, daughter of John and Frances (Barrington) Ryan, by whom he has had two children : Cora, born Decem¬ ber 31. 1882, and Ethel, born in Septem¬ ber, 1896. died in July of the year follow¬ ing.

Ashley G. Emshwiller

Prominent among the attorneys of the Blackford county bar is Ashley G. Emshwiller, who, although young in years, has earned a reputation as a successful lawyer and since his admis ion to the bar, in 1894, lias occupied a conspicuous place among his professional brethren of Montpelier and Hartford City. He belongs to one of the old -families of Blackford county, his grandfa¬ ther having moved to this part of the state in pioneer times and for many years the name has been inseparably connected with the material growth and prosperity of the county. Mr. Emshwiller was horn in the town of Montpelier, November 14, 1874, and is the son of John and Mary A. (Bare) Emshwiller, the father still a resident of l he place and one of its substa dal busine. s men. Alter completing the prescribed course of the public schools young Emshwiller began pre¬ paring himself for the law by a course of pri¬ vate rending, and later. August, 1890, entered the Northern Indiana Law School, Valpar¬ aiso, from which he was graduated on tin- 6t.ii clay of June, 1894, Immediately there¬ after he was admitted to the bar by the su¬ preme court at Indianapolis, and after one year alone, entered info partnership with C. A. Taughenbaugh, of Montpelier, a rela¬ tionship whili continued until November, 1896. Since the latter year Mr. Emshwiller has been alone in the practice and his career irom the beginning has been such as to win him a large and lucrative business besides bringing him in contact professionally with the leading lawyers of Blackford and coun¬ ties adjacent thereto. Since 1896 he has been eputy county prosecutor an for some time prior to the adoption of city government he held the position of attorney for Montpelier.

As a lawyer Mr. Emshwiller, as already stated, has earned an enviable reputation for hard work and professional success and his retention as counsel in many important cases bears testimony to his knowledge of the pro¬ fession and skill of applying it. He is a close student, prepares his legal papers with the greatest care and maintains the soundness of his opinions with dear and forcible argu¬ ment and conducts his cases in such a man¬ ner as to command the respect of the court and opposing counsel. He is the legal ad¬ viser of a number of Montpelier's leading business men and his judgment has seldom been at fault in matters requiring profound research and a wide knowledge of the prin¬ ciples of jurisprudence.

The Biographic A I. Record

In addition to his legal business Mr. Emshwiller is interested in the drug trade with bis father, who established the same at Montpelier, in 1872. The marriage of Mr. Emshwiller was solemnized on the 26th day ( June, 1897, with Miss Blanche Rawlings, laughter of J. P. Lillie (Wiggins) Rawlings, and his home ha- been brightened by one child, James R., who was horn No¬ vember 15, 1898. Fraternally Mr. Emshvviller has been a member of the Masonic brotherhood since 1806 and during the year 1899 he was master of the lodge in Mont¬ pelier. In politics he wields an influence for the Democratic party and in religion is lib¬ eral and tolerant, subscribing to no creed or confession of faith, but at all times believing in the church as a great and wholesome mor¬ al force. Indeed he may be termed a free thinker in the best meaning of the term, but every movement having for its object the well being of the community is sure to find in him an earnest advocate and liberal pa¬ tron. Mr. Emshwiller is a man with the courage of his convictions and is ever ready to express himself on all questions of relig¬ ion and litics. FI is life has been singu¬ larly free from faults and although aggres¬ sive he possesses he power to make and re¬ tain permanent > eudships. Fie is a valued member of the social circle and Montpelier is proud to acknowledge him as one of its favorite sons.

Charles L. Smith

The gentleman whose biography is here¬ with presented is one of the well known and substantial business men of Montpelier and a native of Wells county, Indiana, where his birth occurred on the 22d day of February,

1870. 1 1 is grandfather, Leonard Smith, was an early resident of Ohio, and on the moth¬ er's side lie is descended from German an¬ cestry. I hs father was LeRoy Smith, a native ol ( \ in which state his mother . whose

! sav light of day. LeRoy Smith settled in Webs county, Indiana, some years prior to the war of the Rebellion in winch struggle he served as a brave and gn int defender of the national Union. By his marriage with the above Mary Christlieb he became the fa¬ ther of the following children: Charles L. : Effie, wife of A. C. Schmuck, of Fort

| farm laborer. After a short time spent in this capacity he went to Fort Wayne where for a period of twro years he occupied a re¬ sponsible position in a wholesale confection¬ ery house, taking the road at the end of that time as traveling salesman for the same firm. After representing the house for three years as a commercial tourist he came, in the early part of 1894, to Montpelier, where for a lim¬ ited period he worked in a restaurant, sev¬ ering his connection with that business in a few months and taking service as clerk in wliat is known as the New7 York dry goods store.

Mr. Smith did not long remain behind the counter, for in 1895 he engaged in the real estate business to which he has since devoted his time and attention. In 1898 lie was elected justice of the peace, an office he still holds, in addition to which he is also manager of the opera house in Montpelier, having had control of the same for three years. lie acted as general manager n\ the Montpelier street fairs held in 1899 and 1900' and to its supervision is due the success with winch the enterprise was crowned during- (lie ' two years of its progress. Fraternally lie is a member of the Modern Woodmen and 1 also belongs to the independent Order of Red Men, Lodge No. 71, of Montpelier, lie ; is also secretary of the Montpelier Driv- j ing Club.

On the 26th of September, 1896, Mr. Smith entered into the marriage relation with Miss Sarah J. Alexander, the accom¬ plished daughter of James and Mary (Mc¬ Kee) Alexander, a union blessed with one , child, Fred Alexander, born 011 the 7th day ! of January. 1897. Mr. Smith's course thus j far has been upright and prudent and he is j a potent factor in the city for the material interests of which he has ever been active in , working. He owns a comfortable home on West High street, and eighty acres of land in Jackson township, Wells county, Indiana, which is well improved and also oil produc¬ ing. In all matters of public nature he is deeply interested, while in business and so¬ cial capacities his standing is unimpeacha¬ ble and no one has ever coupled his name with anything savoring in the least of sus¬ picion or dishonor. He has borne his part n life in a manly way and it is with pleas¬ ure that this brief tribute to his worth as a gentleman and citizen is presented in this connection.

James Alphonse Taylor, M. D., son of Jacob and Martha (Smith) Taylor, was born in Jay county, Indiana, April 28, 1869. After completing the course of the common schools from wlrcli he was graduated in 1886, Doctor Taylor entered Ohio Nor¬ mal University, at Ada, via ic pursued the higher branches of Iearni . until 1889, receiving a certificate of graduation in tliai year.

During the three succeeding years he taught in the schools of Jay county, and in 1889 entered the Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis, from which institution he was graduated in 1897 Mter making a most com ¬ mendable record as a student. In April fol¬ lowing his graduation Doctor Taylor began the practice of his profession at Montpelier, where he has since resided, building up in the meantime a hue practice and wi ning for himself the reputation of a painstaking and successful physician and surgeon.

The Doctor is a young man of excellent habits and combines with his naturally strong mental characteristics superior professional ability and a well framed determination to overcome any obstacles calculated to inter¬ fere with his success. Although but few years in active practice, he has already made commendable progress in his profession and stands well, not only whh the general public, but also occupies a conspicuous place among the successful medical men of Blackford county. Starting upon his professional ca¬ reer under most favorable auspices and forg¬ ing to the front by an aggressiveness that knows no such word as "fail," his present high standing is sufficient guarantee for the future career of enlarged usefulness which his many friends predict for him. Doctor 'Baylor is a member of the Iv. of P., Red Cross Lodge, No. 188, of Portland, Indiana, and his name is also found upon the rec¬ ords of Lodge No. 410, J. O. O. F.. of Mont¬ pelier. The Doctor is an earnest advocate of temperance and as such does some of his most effective work in redeeming the downfallen through tlr instrumentality'.- the or¬ der of Good Templars, of which he has been a member for several, years.

The Doctor was married on the 20th da) | of September, 1890. to Miss Pearl Thomas, a daughter of Henry and Martha (Longfcl- ^ low) Thomas, and has one child, a son, Red- | ford Thomas, whose birth occurred October ! T, 1897.

Thomas Shull, hardware dealer, 'Mont¬ pelier, is a native of Wayne county, Indiana, and dates bis birth from the 13th clay of Oc¬ tober; 1840. His parents, Henry 13. and Sarah (Wolf) Shull, were born in Pennsyl¬ vania, and their marriage occurred in that slate, as did also the birth of all their chil¬ dren except the subject of tin' : mention and one other.

When Thomas Shull was eight years of age his father moved within a short distance of Indianapolis, and it was about two miles from that city that the boy obtained has first knowledge of books by attending school in an old log building which had been erected a number of years prior to the date of which we write. Until his twentieth year he as¬ sisted his father and also did some work for himself as a farmer, the latter proving only fairly successful. Impressed with a desire to see the great west, and thinking that fortune might perhaps rewa 1 his efforts there, young Shull, in 1860 bid adieu to home and lriends and made a p to the Rocky moun¬ tains, where he span - >me time in prospecti nig fur gold, lie remained in the west about eight and a ball years, a greater part of which period was devoted to prospect¬ ing and mining He then returned to In¬ diana and seeing' a good opening for busi¬ ness in the thriving little town of Montpelier decided to locate there in the mercantile trade; accordingly he purchased a stock of dry goods and groceries and was soon in the enjoyment of a large and prosperous busi¬ ness. Subsequently he embarked in the drug trade, which occupied his attention three years. At the end of this time, in 1873, he disposed of his stock and became a dealer in hardware. Since the above year Mr. Shull has devoted his entire time and attention to the hardware business, in which his success has been most gratifying, his store at this time being the largest of the kind in the city. During the four years be¬ tween 1875 and 1879 he served as township trustee and for a number of years was a member of the c':v school board, besides serving since 1897 in the city council. Under the old municipal organization he served as town trustee and since the adoption of the city charter his efforts as - member of the common council have been instrumental in promoting much legislation for the general good of the place.

Mr. Shull is widely and . favorably known in business circles as a man of sound judgment and strict integrity and his pro¬ gressive spirit long since brought him to the favorable notice of the public. He takes an active interest in everything calculated to ad¬ vance the welfare of Montpelier and during the last few years has influenced men of wealth to invest capital in Blackford coun¬ ty, which he considers one of the most prom¬ ising sections of Indiana.

ami Margaret A., daughter of l A il an 1 Rachel (McDaniel) Kimble, became man and wife, their union being blessed with five children, namely: Clarence C, born December 31, 1873, died August 28, 1874; Idle I., born December 3. 1874: George F., born \]>ril 4, 1878; Lulu M.. born January 30, 1880. and James Ik, born January in, 1 885. Mr. Shull became identified with Montpelier Lodge, No. 410, I. O. O. F., in 187b. and since that date has been active in all the deliberations of the fraternity, .having filled all offices within the gift of the local organization. T11 religion he sub¬ scribes to the Baptist creed and his life has been a practical exemplification of the teach¬ ings of the church. At this time he holds the position of deacon in tbo congregation wor¬ shiping in Montpelier and his wife is also a consistent member of the same body. In all that goes to make true manhood Mr. Shull has done his whole duty and all who know him respect him for his sterling quali¬ ties of head and heart. TIis influence has ever been exerted on the side of right and among Montpelier's representative men he occupies a commendable standing.

John P. Boyd

John P. Boyd, the well known and suc¬ cess fill member of the .Blackford county bar, is the son of Amos and Elma M. (John¬ son) Boyd, and was born on a farm in Jay county, Indiana, March 28, 1869. When eight years of age ir was taken by his par¬ ents to Montpelier, u the schools of which town lie received hi. educational training, completing his high school coir, -c and grad¬ uating in the year 1887. From early boy¬ hood lie evinced a decided liking for the law, and in 1887 yielded to his desire of long standing by beginning a course of study in the office of George A. Mason, un¬ der whose direction he continued util formally admitted to the bar in Novem¬ ber, 1891. lie began the practice of bis profession in partnership with Mr. Mason, and after maintaining the firm relations for two years purchased that gentleman's in¬ terest, after which lie continued alone until 1894. At that time he became associated in the practice with John E. Mason, with whom he continued a partner until 1896, in January of which year the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Boyd retaining posses¬ sion of the office. - From the beginning of 1896 until January, 1898, All*. Boyd prac¬ ticed by himself, hut in January of the bi¬ ter year took in as a partner C. A. Taughinbaugh, of Muncie, who remained wiki him until June following, when Mr. Boyti disposed of bis legal business and removed to Chattanooga, Tennessee. r fis stay in that city was of brief duration, as he re turned to Montpelier in September of the same year, and resumed his practice which lie has since success!:: ly continued.

Air. Boyd's marriage was solemnized, October 27, 1892, with Miss Minnie, a daughter of Daniel and Harriett (Shull) Arnold, a union Messed with two sons, Rob¬ ert Arnold, born October 31, 1893, and Francis ]).. born December 18, 1899.

From June, 1893, to June, 1894, Air. Boyd held the office of city attorney, and from the spring of 1891 until November, 1894, he was deputy prosecuting attorney of Blackford county. Professional ly he takes high rank and his name has appeared in connection with a number of importantcases tried in the courts of Blackford and adjacent counties. II is knowledge n{ the law is profound and, being fertile in expe ¬ dients, lie displays great skill m applying legal principles to cases in band. He is considered a safe and reliable adviser ami by uniformly courteous treatment of oppos¬ ing counsel be has made himself popular as a member of the legal profession and a business man.

Mr. Boyd is a prominent Spiritualist, and occupies a prominent standing among j the leaders of that faith in Indiana. In politics he is an important factor in tiie Democratic party, his services being much ' in demand during campaigns where active work is required. In every relation of life, he sustains the reputation of a broad minded, j honorable gentleman, and his name is worthy of special mention as one of Mont¬ pelier's representative men.

George A. Mason

George Albert Mason, attorney at law and prominent business man of Montpelier, was born in the township of Jackson, Wells county, Indiana, on the 7t.l1 day of Decem¬ ber, i860. His paternal ancestors came originally from the north of Ireland and several of the family were living in Penn¬ sylvania in the. early half of the eighteenth century. Later they removed to Ohio where Thomas Mason, the subject's father, was born November 7, 1808. Thomas Mason married, in his native state, Harriett Dixon, whose birth occurred May 1, 1818, in York¬ shire, England, and in 1837 lie came to Indiana, settling in Wells county, where he departed this life in April, 1883. His widow, who was the daughter of Thomas

Geor A. Mason taught school in Blackfo d county two years, after which he spent two years pursuing the higher branches of learning' in the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso.

In 1884 he began the study of law in the office of Cantwell Y Cantwell, of Hart¬ ford City, and in 1886 he received the degree of LL. D. jrom De Painv University. In the latter year Mr. Mason entered upon the practice of his profession in the town of Montpelier, in partnership with J. C. Mad¬ dox, with whom lie remained associated m - | til that gentleman's death, in 1888, after which lie continued alone until 1894, when he removed to Bluffton. He practiced in the courts of Wells county until 1898. In this year, by reason of his interest in the oil business at Montpelier, he returned to the latter place, where in connection with the oil business he is still devoting considerable attention t.o the legal profession. In 1890 Mr. Mason was instrumental in organizing The Northern Indiana .Oil Company, of w ilich he was elected Tetary and general manager, and which was one of the chief factors in the development of the Indiana oil field. He has been identified with nearly 11 public improvements of Montpelier dur¬ ing the past ten years, and for a period of two years served as city attorney of Bluffton, being the first Republican to occupy that position. He also served in a similar position in Montpelier, and achieved an en¬ viable reputation as a capable official, besides building up a large and lucrative practice.

Tub Biographical Klcord

oi which nrts been hve children, namely : j Blanche, born January i, 1890; Man , horn ! November 1, 1891; Thomas Nat l ain, horn December 18, 1893; Howard Lancaster, i whose birth occurred on the 14th day of | December, 1893, and Justine, born August ! 28, 1900.

Mr. Mason is a member of the Pythian ! fraternity, belonging to the local lodge at Bluffton, and he is also connected with the -j Uniform Rank of the same city. lie is a j , Mason of high standing, having taken a number id" degrees of high, rank, including that of Sir Knight. In politics he is a stanch adherent of the Republican party, an active partisan and one of the leaders of his party in Blackford comity.

Mr. 'Mason is of positive convictions, j earnest in the support of what his judgment tells him is right, and has left the impress j of his strong personality stamped on the pro- j fessional, business and political interests of Montpelier and the county of BE E ford, ilis career as a lawyer has been ma d by substantial progress and as a business man and citizen none stands higher chan he in j the estimation of the pec pie of both city and county. He is progressive in all the term I implies and bids fair to caiVe out a still j greater career in the future.

Lennder Erastus Maddox, M. D., is a physician of Montpelier, Indiana, and an ; esteemed citi-eu, a worthy representative i of a family ths has been connected with ' Indiana since pioneer days. He is numbered , among the native sous of Wells countv, Indi- ! ana, his birth having occurred in Chester township on the nth of May, 1851. j

Mis great gi. idfathcr. Frederick Mad¬ dox. was a native of England, and the founder of the family in America. Me lo¬ cale.! in the Old Dominion in colonial days and reared live sons: Michael, John, David, Gabriel and Wesley. Michael Maddox was the grandfather of our subject and was born in Virgin!, February 2 6, 1773. He died in Harrison township, Blackford county, Indiana. September to, 1845. * U bad located there in 1839, in the early da\ s of the com¬ munity. when the land was covered with a heavy growth of timber and when the work of progress and civilization seemed scarcely begun. He was twice married, his first union being with Mary Fraley, by w hom lie had the following children, namely: Mar¬ garet, Frederick, Nathan, John, Daniel, Elizabeth, Samuel, Silas, Michael and Rebecca. For his second Wife Michael .Mad¬ dox wedded, in Ohio. Francis Jones, a native of Virginia, born May 4, 1790. Her death occurred in Richardson county, Neb ka, December 0, 1871. Their children were as follows: .Mary Mann, Joseph Collins, Wesley IE, father of the Doctor, William M., Wilson M., James Jackson, Eliza Jane, and Sarah Prudence. The Doctor's fatlv.

V esley Harvey Maddox, was born in High¬ land county, Ohio, September 2, .182.1, and. lived there until the spring of 1839, when, with his parents he came to Indiana, lie lived on a farm in Harrison township, Blackford county, until 1845, when he removed to Wells county where lie still resides in Chester town¬ ship. lb married Eliza Ann Grove, daugh¬ ter of loinas and Ann (Wilson) Grove. Her father was- a native of Pennsylvania, and in the spring of 1837 located in Wells county, Indiana, where he died forty years later at the age of sixty-six. His wife passed away in 1867 at the age of fifty- three years. Their children were 'Mrs. Mad¬ dox, Samantha, Catharine, George Wash¬ ington, Andrew Jackson. Joseph, Thomas M., Joshua, Susai na, Lewis and b'raue.is Marion.

The maternal gr it-gTandfaiher of the Doctor, George Gro\e, was a native of Ger¬ man;,-. and crossing the Atlantic to America took up his residence in Pennsylvania. where lie married. Subsequently he removed to Ohio and later to Indiana where his death occurred. His children were: George, Joseph, Thomas and Lewis.

Mrs. Maddox, mother of the Doctor, was born March n, 1826, in Da ir field county, Ohio, and 011 the 8tli of November, 1849, her marriage was celebrated. She carefully reared a family of several children and on the 9th of May, 1874, passed away in Wells county, Indiana, bier children were Leander Erastus, Frances Ann, Joseph Collins, Thomas, William M., Sarah Ellen, Laura Belle and Wesley II.

Thus from sterling ancestry, people of genuine worth and respectability, is Dr. Maddox descended. No event of special im¬ portance occurred during bis childhood and youth, which, were passed on the old home farm in Chester township, where with the family he went through the experiences of frontier life. In conning his lessons in the district schools and in working in the fields his early life was spent. He also pursued his studies in a select school for some time and at the age of eight-, cn began teaching, which profession he followed altogether for four years. At length he determined to engage in tie. practice of medicine. He read medicine for two years and then, in 1871, he continued his studies with Dr. Doster, of Ponete, and in 1873 entered the medical department of the Michigan Uni¬ versity at Ann Arbor, at which institution he was graduated 011 the last Wednesday of March, 1875. Being thus fitted by thorough preparation for his t hosen calling, he opened an office in \ era Crux, Wells county, where he remained until 1881, when he removed to Keystone. There he engaged in practice until March, 1887, r-md also carried on the drug business, purchasing the store of Mr. Shull, of Motnp. Her, which he conducted from 1887 until 1893.

The Doctor is a man of excellent busi¬ ness and executive ability and lias been in¬ terested in various enterprises which have largely promoted the material welfare of the city. Ife was one of the organizers of the Northern Indiana Oil Company, but after eighteen months sold his interest in ing Company. He is now interested in the L, A. Centliver & Company, oil produc¬ ers, and also operates independently in oik He awns one hundred and forty acres of land in the county which is leased to the Ohio Oil Company, also eighty acres in Wells county. He donated ten lots to the Chicago Truck & Steel Casting Company, on the erection of its plant here, and owns considerable valuable real estate here in the Maddox addition to Montpelier anil i other parts of the y.

Upon the organization of the First Na¬ tional Bank of Montpelier, Mr. Maddox w as elected to the position of assistant cashier, as well as director, being a heavy stock¬ holder.

On Lie joth of August, 1872, Mr. Mad¬ dox was united in marriage with Miss Mary Emily Newman, who was born December 2 1850, and is a daughter of John and

Socially the Doctor is connected with Montpelier Lodge, No. 600, A. F. & A. M.; Montpelier Lodge, No. 188, K. I'.; Kama Division, No. 77, Uniform Rank, and Mun- j cie Lodge, No. 245, R. P. O. E. In politics j he is a Republican and, as every true .Amer¬ ican citizen should do, lie feels an interest in the growth and success of his party, yet has never sought nor desired political prefer¬ ment. The family attend the Methodist church. The Maddox household is noted for its hospitality, and its members occupy an enviable position in social circles. The Doctor is regarded as one of the most prom¬ inent citizens of Montpelier and bis career has gained him the confidence and high es¬ teem of many fi 'lends. He is a capable busi¬ ness man, enterprising arid energetic, who has worked b way upward to a position of affluence. He has hosts of warm per¬ sonal friends and is making more each year by the urbanity of his kindly nature and strict fairness and honesty of his business methods.

Thomas Samuel Briscoe

For a number of years the late Thomas S. Briscoe was a successful member of the Blackford county bar and a man of high repute among his associates of the legal pro¬ fession. The Briscoe family is of English origin and was first represented in America by one of the subject's remote ancestors, who came to this country in the time of the col¬ onics and settled in Maryland. Some of his descendants are still living in that state, while others are scattered throughout vari¬ ous parts of the country, principally the west, hut wherever found ihcv are known as intelligent, progressive people, possessing in a marked degree the sterling tjualities inher¬ ited from sturdy ancestry.

.1 hoi nas S. Briscoe, son of Samuel F. and Margaret (Wiimcr) Briscoe, was horn October 10, 1828, in Kent countv, Mary¬ land, and spent the years of youth and early manhood in the place of his nativity. After ! receiving liberal education he began the study of law and in due time was admitted to the bar and entered upon the practice of lhs profession in his native state, where lie con¬ tinued to reside until his removal, in 1850, to Iowa. From 1850 to 1868 he practiced in that state, but some time during the latter year located ai. Fort Wayne, Indiana, w here his ability as a lawyer soon won him a con¬ spicuous place at the Allen county bar. IBs residence in Fort Wajme was of compara¬ tively short duration, covering a period of less than three years. He came to Hart¬ ford City in 1871 and at once took rank with the successful lawyers of the place and here he continued in the active practice of his profession until his death, which oc¬ curred on the 28th day of February, 1893. Mr. Briscoe was twice married, the first time in the 'fifties, in Iowa, to Marret Maclay, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he had several children, the following living; Elizabeth F., of Waynesville, North Carolina; Fannie, of Baltimore, Maryland, ai.d Samuel AI. , whose home is in Hartford City. The second marriage was solemnized August 24, 1871, with Miss Rachael Henley, daughter of John M. and Matilda ( Lewis) Henley, of which union there has been no issue.

tegrity which has made his, name respected by all w ith \vh< m he. came in contact. His popularity was demonstrated in 1878 by his election as joint senator for the district com¬ posed of the counties of Grant, Jay and I Hack lord, overcoming a heavy majority, which previous to that year always insured the success of the opposition candidate. 1 ! is record as a member of the legislature is a part of the hist<-, of the state, but suffice it to say that in that body, as elsewhere, he acquitted himself as a creditable public ser¬ vant by looking with untiring energy after the interests of the people.

i financially Mr. Briscoe met with success such as few achieve, possessing at the time of his death a moderate fortune, the result of his own energy and concentration of pur¬ pose. He wans a firm believer in revealed religion and as a communicant of the Episco¬ pal church exemplified his faith by a life void of offense towards God and man. Fra¬ ternally he joined early in life the independ¬ ent Order of Odd Fellows, the principles of which he manifested in his daily walk and conversation. Such in brief is the record ot one of Blackford county's representative business men. lie died, as he lived, a broad¬ minded, intellectual Christian gentleman and left as a priceless heritage a nar e hon¬ ored and respected by all and a reputation unsu1 d by the commission of a single unwort act.

'I i it father of Mrs. Briscoe, John Henley, moved to Indiana in 1840 from Clinton coun¬ ty, Ohio, and settled in the county of Dela¬ ware, where he followed milling, tanning and the pursuit < >f agriculture until his death., in the year 1862. He reared a family of children, as follows: Amanda, deceased; William, deceased ; Kezia, John, Matilda and two that died in infancy unnamed.

William L. Ima Ix

Cue o) the nii'.st highly respected chi zens ot lacking township, who well deserves representation in the history of his countv, is Mr. William f .. Lrvin, who name head - this review, lie spent his boyhood and youth upon his father's farm, where, ex¬ cept two years spent m the army, he re¬ mained during his minority In February 1864, when not yet fifteen years old, he en¬ listed in Compan) J. One Hundred and thirtieth \ ohinteer Infantry, in which he served until December, 1865. The active service began at Naslnfille, Tennessee, after which the famous Atlanta campaign was en¬ tered upon, the regiment participating in all the lamed battles of that memorable sum¬ mer of .1864. After the fall of Atlanta this regiment, under the command of General Hovey, was sent hack after Hood at Nash¬ ville. The regiment was then sent to join Sherman. Returning to the Ohio and Cin¬ cinnati, it proceeded via Washington, Fort Anderson and Moorhead .City to Newburn, North Carolina. Marching overland it was in the battle of Kingston, after which it be¬ came a part of Sherman's army at Golds¬ boro, but was detained, mainly at Char¬ lotte, doing guard duty until the discharge, m December, 1865. In the first skirmish, that at Buzzards' Roost, Mr. Ervin received a slight wound in the top of the head, but was not kept long from the ranks, leaving the hospital in time for the battle of Resaca. lie was not only the youngest <4 the company, being not yet fifteen wlien wounded, but was one of seven of the com¬ pany who served constantly without being detailed for special work, and who were finally discharged together. He has ever since retained a warm interest in the com ot which he is a respected member. Return¬ ing to the old home he supplemented the ed¬ ucation already acquired by an attendance at the Hartford City school, later taking -such a course at the Ridgeville Academy as served to lit him to teach, which lie did for cveral terms, mainly in the vicinity of his home. He had in the meantime engaged in farming, and on the 29th ot December,

Charles A.; Ralph L., deceased; I .hel M. , Aurora Bland ic, wife of W. p. Mgtllin; Robert Franklin, who died in 1884, aged nme years; Oscar Slater and Thomas Wade, the Ervin family have for half a century played a conspicuous part in the upbuilding of this section of Blackford county, the fa¬ ther of our subject, Samuel Ervin, having been one of the most substantial, prosof Dela was the mother of two children : Robert V. and John Benson, who died at the age of three wars iiom the kick oi a horse. Robert V. Ervin, whose death occurred Jauuar 18, 1889, spent the greater part of his earlier life in railroad work, until 1874, when lie engaged 111 uniting in the west, at which lie contin¬ ued with success tor about eight wars. Having accumulated a handsome competeucy, he returned and purchased part of the old in 1S50 lie had removed from Delaware county, where William L. was horn on the 22d of June, 3849. to the present farm, havmg tiade with vVilson Martin, a pioneer who nad entered the land. It: contained one bundled and sixty acres, and was in a par¬ tially improved condition. It continued the home of Samuel Krvhi till his death, which occurred October 2, S80, in his sixty-sixth year. His first wife, Jane Hyate. the mother of William L., and who died when he was but a few weeks old, had given place to mass Nancy Alexander, who also died some live years later. J he third wife was Anna

Samuel Ervin took no secondary place m the making and development ol Blackford county, no man doing more to advance its interests in every respect than he. Owning at one time about two hundred and eighty acies oi land, his farm was one of the most valuable in the township. No enterprise tending to the g< icral advantage hut found m.him a warm friend. He became an earlv stockholder in the Panhandle Railroad, as wed as extending aid and encouragement to the Erie road, which passed through his oavii farm. Pie was < e of the original members of the class of Methodists \v ho worshipped for a time in his own barn - a building which is still in use as such - and who finally became organized into Mt. Car¬ mel church. He was for more than tw enty years the class-leader, remaining in that ca¬ pacity to his death, and it is asserted that he is th evenly leader the class had then known. Mb Carmel church stands on land donated by him, and to its support and success lie was ever solicitous. I T is man} excellent traits of character endeared him with last ing ties to with whom he ever had close relations, am! the loss of no other man from the community left so great a void in the hearts of its citizens. William L. Ervin has a valualf farm of one hundred acres, of which twenty- seven was a part of the old homestead. Much of it was low and wet, requiring a vast amount of work and ex- I pen sc to place it in suitable condition for j cultivation; union other improvements be¬ ing more than twelve hundred rods of tile, the laying of which has resulted in the re¬ claiming from swampy and worthless con¬ dition more than fifty acres, making it the most valuable nd on the entire farm. He ; has erected commodious and substantial buildings which, with the generally thrifty appearance of the farm, makes it one of the real)}' attractive and desirable rural homes.

Being in sympathy with the Prohibition movement, he, in 1884, became actively 1 identified with its organization in the coun¬ ty, and has ever since been found in earnest advocacy of those principles which he feels will surely redound to a better citizenship and more desirable civilization. While re¬ alizing the hopelessness of present success, but that the effort must he persistent, he has not refused the demand that he assist by his i personal appeal to the franchises of the peo- ! pie by becoi ung one of the party standard bearers which lie did bv standing for election for the position of county auditor in iSyo. Both himself and wife are ardent in their support of the Mt. Carmel church, of which he is the present class-leader, having succeeded his father to that important po¬ sition. Holding" the esteem of a wide circle of warm friends, the possession to an em¬ inent degree of the e genial* and kindly

Captain William L. Ritter

The well-known gentleman whose name introduces this article was for many years a representative fanner of Licking town¬ ship and one of Blackford county's best know n and most highly respected citizens.

His father, John Ritter, was the son of a German immigrant, who came to Indiana a number of years ago and settled near the town of Jonesboro, Grant county, and later moved to Blackford county, locating in the southwest part of Licking township. John Rif was twice marri' the first time to Emily Ei ersou, mother o ' William L., and after her death to Sarah Simpson. He ac¬ companied his parents to Grant and after¬ wards to Blackford county, and at the close of the Civil war removed to a farm about three miles southwest of Dunkirk, in the county of Delaware. Later lie and his wife made their home with William L., where their deaths o urred, the father at the age of eighty-three and the mother w hen cightv- ^"c years old.

William L. Ritter was born July 19, 36, in Highland county, Ohio, and when six years old suffered the loss of his best earthly friend - mother. When twelve years of age he accompanied his father to Grant count}, thence to the home in Licking township, where lie remained until 1863, when he enlisted in C ompany I, One PI und red and Thirtieth Indiana infantry. He entered he service in the latter part of the above y r, but it was not until the sl,ril,«' oi 186 1- ii»at lie reached (he front. 1!,s RT'iment -ff Ji'ined a part of the annv commanded by (general Sherman in Georgia, and lie took part in the Atlanta campaign, participated in a number of bloody battles, including i hoards' Roost, Resaca, Fort fountain. Kenesaw Mountain, Decatur, Fovej.jy Station, siege of Atlanta, Rome march to the sea, and later returned to Ten¬ nessee in time to take part in the battle of XashviJIe, and was finally discharged at Kingston, South Carolina, 1865. Air. Rjttei entered service as a private, but within a short time thereafter was promoted see lieutenant and 'subsequently, by reason re gal i an try displayed on the battle field, mas made first lieutenant of his company Still later, for meritorious con hid, he was promoted to the captaincy, and held com¬ mission as such until the expiration of his term of enlistment.

Captain Ritter was a brave and gallant commander and led his men ,u some of the most sanguinary battles of the war, in one of which he received a bullet wound in the iigin bieast, From the effect of this wound lie never e. drely recovered and it was for this 1 eason that he was the recipient of a liberal pension from the government as long ' as he lived.

Short1- after the war Captain Ritter en¬ gaged in broad con [ruction in Colorado, and was also for some time proprietor of a lanch in that state - then a territory - his so jourii in the west covering a period of three years. Returning to Indiana, he was mar¬ ried, February 11, 187.2. to Miss Sarah j . ; White, and began housekeeping on the prmuii, bum, which he purchased the year prior to the above date. Mrs. letter was an only

(Rfb >md alter the death of iier mm . vas taken by an uncle, Joseph Atkinson, with whom she lived until her marriage, nt the age of twenty-two.

When Air. and Mrs. Ritter mined to then new home they found an unbroken ex¬ panse ot woodland, with the exception of a | sma!l clearing, in the midst of which stood ' a diminutive log cabin. It required !, mg and arduous work to remove the forest growth and lit the ground for tillage, hut in due time tins was accomplished and in 1888 the pio neer dwelling gave place to a substantial frame edifice, which the family now occupv. Seventy acres were made ready for the plow , the gi eaiei part of the work being done hy the strong arms of Mr. Ritter, whose devotuon to toil brought its reward in a cornio liable home and ample competence.

Ry a successful system of drainage, first the old style plank ditch and later tiling, he greatly enhanced the fertility of his place and made it one of the most valuable farms ot its size in the township of Licking. He was a. very careful farmer, studied well the 1 11a tm c and capability of soils, and by n proper rotation of crops always obtained the most satisfactory returns for his labor. He Hso made a specialty of good live stock, his breeds of caul and hogs being of the best, and no one drove better horses or received prices for his animal products, hi short, he was a man of method, did even- the best way and earned the reputa¬ tion of one of the most successful agricultl'n;s(s and stock men in the neighborhood where ,lc; lived* Mr. Ritter was the first man m Flack ford county to lease land to a gas company, and (he well on his place is considered one of the best the company now operates.

Iilc .Mr. Kilters home v s invaded hy the death ang 1, who took therefrom, jolv 5. 1878, his devoted wife, who died at the early age of twenty nine. She' left one child, Della, now the wife of Willi. mi X, Secrest, who has cl large of the home farm at the present time.

On the 18th day of December, 1878. Mr. Ritter entered into the marriage relatioi-i A\ith Margaret C; mpbel hose parents, na¬ tives of Alan bnu. ;;me to Black N d e= >un~ tv in i86y and set: led in the - ' 1 di . id of what is known as the Aft. Carmel church; her father died when she was nine ears old and the mother departed this life a number of years later, at the adv anced age of eightyfive. The second marriage was blessed by the birth of one child, Clara Alice, a younglady of culture and refinement, at this time a student of the Marion Normal College, where she is fitting herself for the profession of teaching The child hy the first wife was born and reared on the home place and has never lei: t it; she also is a lady o! many admirable traits, well known and highly es¬ teemed in the community and a worthy daughter of a worthy father.

In politics Captain Ritter was a Repub¬ lican, active in the councils of his part \ and usually at; ended all the county and township conventions, and sometimes those of district and state as a delegate, and. at one time was the nominee for sheriff, but failed of elec tion by reason of the overwhelming Demo¬ cratic majority. Tie was prominent in C>. A. R. circles, keeping up his interest in the organization as long as he lived, and was also at one time e nneeled with t l'e 1 1 o w s b r o 1 1 1 erhood .

an honored citizen. ! os wool was Ins bond, bus judgment in m iter,- oi business was , seldom if ever at fault, a 1 no one knew him ' except to respect ai 1 love him for his many 1 sterling qualities of manhood. His life was -angularly free from imperfections, and m h:s death, which occurred on the 28th day of November, 1:899, his family lost a kind and lovin - husband, an affectionate fa¬ ther, th com nity one of the most oblig¬ ing neighbors and the county one of its most I buddy esteemed and worthy otizenu f-Jo ; (h t as lie lived, void of offense to God and | man, and the great future awaited him with I sure reward.

Joseph N. Getty'S

Joseph Nathaniel Gettys, who is .widely known as a prominent agriculturist, a native °f the county in which he now resides and i ?l representative of a family whose history : was identified with the state in davs of earlier | simpler styles of living, is possessed of | une farm 111 Licking township upon which j he was born, January 24. 1846. His par- 1 ents, Janies and Sarah (Afoore) Gettvs were born and married in ; reene count}', 1 ennsyl vania. Some eight years previous to the birth o'> Joseph his father had come to the then wilderness of Indian, and en¬ ured land of the government. But it was not until the year of his birth that the little family removed from the Keystone state | to make their permanent home in the state of their adoption. The little one-room, roundlog cabin in which Joseph first saw the light of day remained the home of the family until he had rc lied his ninth year, when it was replaced hy a more pretentious residence, a building in which the parents passed their remaining Years and which is slid standing in a fairly good state of preservation. On their original coming to this home it was necessary to live in the most primitive man¬ ner, very few of what are now' termed necessaries being available, even had the re¬ sources of the family enabled them to be secured. Having little but good health, strong constitutions and a detainin' lion to carve out a me. James Gettys and wife set themselves resolute!) to work with a vigor born of necessity and not many years passed before their efforts were crowned with a fair measure of success. Eighty acres of the one hundred and sixty he owned were converted into valuable fields through their unceasing endeavors. It gradually assumed the appearance of thrift util it grew into a pretentious and valuable farm, which has not passed from the family, hut is to-day the home of a truly popular citizen. James Gettys died here in September, 1869, in the sixty-first year of his age, while his companion during the vicissitudes and the successes of a busy life survived him about eleven years, dying at the age of sixty- seven. Joseph Gettys, the brother of James, had also been a pioneer of the county, having settled in it some years prior to the one whom we are more especi considering. His son, John R. Gettys, : a well-known citizen of Hartford City.

The family of which Joseph N. is one consisted of three sons and two danghteis. The latter were: Anna K., who married Joshua Kelley and who died at the age of forty; Hannah Jane beame the wife of M. Tarr, her own death coming when about the same age as her sister. 'Hie sons, beside our subject, are John am amuel, both re¬ siding in Hartford. Joseph N. Gettys re¬ mained on ^ - farm till his twenty-first year, when, o wiring io sec the world for himself, lie went west, spending souk time in the state of Wisconsin. However, after lus lather's death he returned id soon be gan the purchase of the reman g interests, having- now a very desirable farm of uim ty acres, all of which was formerly included in the old homestead. He devotes his entire time to the management of the farm and has greatly increased the value of his laud by extensive improvements, h. dug cleared 1 twenty-five acres, and has laid over one thousand two hundred rods of tile, having an outlet in a county open drain. He has a very neat home, its surroundings indicating to a certain extent, the desire of himself and family to provide themselves with an attractive home.

Mr. Gettys was married, March 2. 1871, to Miss Elizabeth Kemmer, daughter of Samuel and Emma Jane (Ellis) Kemmer. j They w ere one of the early families in Black¬ ford county, removing to La Grange county, Indiana) when Mrs. Gettys was hut two years of age Here they remained till her sixteenth year, and then located in J 1 artford ,'ity. Mr. and Mrs. Gettys have no family, but lost two children who died in their infanev.

Reared a Republican, Mr. Gettys acted with that party for many years until the im¬ portance of the temperance movement as¬ sumed such proportions that he felt that his assistance should be given the organized effort b suppress the liquor traffic; thence¬ forth he has been an important factor in the party work in Blackford county. His presence and influence are felt in all the con¬ ventions of the party, including not only those held in the county, hut those of a wider scope, His personal popularity was recog- nized by the party when lie was tinned to make the canvass for the position of county treasurer, which he did, his ellorls not only extending his own circle friends, hut also adding materially to the strength of the partv.

John Wesley Death

Among the prosperous farmers of Lick¬ ing township, and of those whose unflagging industry and business capacity have resulted in accruing handsome competence, is the above named gentleman who is as well the representative of one of the earl) families of Blackford county.

His father, William A. Death, who still resides at Hartford City, was the third white child horn in what is now Blackford county, his birth occurring on the 25th of July, 1836. The place of birth was on what is now the county farm, situated five miles southwest of Hartford City. His parents were John and Anna (Kelly) Beath, who migrated from Ross county, Ohio, in the spring of that same year.

In i860 William Beath was married to Miss Elizabeth R. Stewart, only daughter of Dr. Henry Stewart, whose biography is found elsewhere in this volume. Suon after lie settled upon what has since remained the Beath homestead. It first consisted of fiftytwo acres, and he subsequently purchased thirty live acres of the John Stewarl farm. It was included in tbe former farm of John Steward, brother of the Doctor, by whom it was entered from the government. Here j lie made a valuable farm, which he operated ! until his estimable companion was called away from earth, February 20, 1888, in hoi fifty-second year. Since that time he has lived in easy retirement in Hartford City. He has ever lived an unpretentious life, be¬ ing content to attend to the duties of citizenship that came to him, not yielding; to am¬ bitious yearnings to occupy a prominent sta¬ tion in public life.

His family comprises five sons: Marion L. being a thriving farmer of Woodson | county, Kansas; George Riley, who owns part of the homestead ; John \\ esley : Henry A., who also ow-ns and lives on the original fifty iwo acres, and Coven Van Edam, sec¬ retary of the Diamond Flint Glass Company, of Hartford.

John Wesley I th was born on the homestead, November 12, 1865. His boy¬ hood and youth was spent with his father, receiving the a verage educational ad want¬ ages the district school supplied. February 16, 1887, he was joined in bonds of matri¬ mony with Miss Lydia A. B. uglier, daugh¬ ter of George and Matilda Baugher. He is w ell remembered by Hartford citizens as one of the city's former reputable blacksmiths, being' a superior workman, and one whose industry and integrity made hosts of friends.

Lydia was born in Hartford, and being* of an ambitious and independent spirit, learned the dressmaker's art, at which she was engaged at the date of her marriage.

After one season on the old homestead John worked in the spoke factor) of Charles Hubbard, in Hartford City, for nearly two years, his wife in tbe meantime resuming her trade. Her reputation as an expert dressmaker was such that her sendees were eagerly sought, not only by her old eus >- 1 mers, hut by many others as well. T thus continual until t lie death of his mother, when they retunicd to a tract of eight \ acres, near the old home he had just purchased in company w ith his brother, George-.

Mrs. Heath received an inheritance of j four hundred dollars from her father's es- j tale, which, win si\ him ired dollars they ! Iiacl saved from their joint earnings, they invested in that farm. Here the\ operated for three years, when they sold their personal | property and with the proceeds cleared off i . the remaining- indebtedness on the farm. j J Hey returned to Hartford City, erected a j pleasant residence, and he engaged as a ! clerk, in which capacity he labored till Jan- | narv, 1894, when the cky property was sold j and they again took up the conduct of the j farm. 1 Ie at once set about to improve it ! by erecting a barn. He soon afterward ac¬ quired his brother's interest in it, and very greatly enhanced its value by clearing some hirty acres additional and in laying over live hundred rods of tile, thus bringing it to a productive condition.

In July, 1897, he purchased his present home farm of seventy-six acres, lying* one mile distant from the former one. It is widely known as the Andrew Ouackenbush homestead, lying on the Ritter pike, five miles south of Hartford City. The spirit of improvement has not abated, as shown by the present residence, which he rebuilt, and the other necessary improvements he has made. His good judgment and careful attention to details have on him a handsome com¬ petence, and a condition of ease, if not lux¬ ury. While all farm products have pro¬ duced revenue, he has received largest re¬ turns from the growing and feeding of hogs, ; into which most of die grain grown is Jed. j I Ie finds the celc; rated Dum< breed very sat¬ is, factory, and breeds and fattens annually not less than one hundred choice porkers. 1 Ie ;ds<> keej evcral Jersey cows, from which most delin> :.s butter is made by Mrs. Haitli. whose excellence as a skilled butter-maker i.- recognized bj her many private customers, who depend upon her to supply their ta! !es with that most delectable article.

They have recently purchased a home in Hartford City, to which it. is proposed to retire to educate their children : A wiry E., born October 9. 1.890 ; John, born May 15, 1 896.

Mr. Heath holds to the Democratic faith in politics, realizing that upon a strict ad¬ herence to its principles the country's honor and future prosperity depends.

Elwood Ouackenbush. deceased, late of Licking township, was born in Wayne comi¬ ty, Indiana, on the 1 8th day of May, in the year 1848. His death occurred at his home, five miles south of Hartford City, on the 1.5th of January. 1895. His parents were drew and Charity Elmina (Potter) Ouackenbush, he being horn in Chatham county, North Carolina; they, however, wi re married in Wayne county, Indiana. A. bout the year A 55 they came to Blackford county and seta i on a tract of laud in the southern part of Licking township, which is, at present, included in the home farm of J. W. Heath. There Andrew lived and died in March, 1888, having survived his wife three years. Their family consisted of two sons and two daughters, ihe latter be¬ ing Mary, who married Henry Bowman, whos death occurred while serving in the army. She then became the wife of Charles

Haynes, her own death following when about thirty-five years of age; Ruth Ann is the wife of Henry Natter, of the vieinitv of Millgrove; Washington Stafford, residing j in Hartford City, and I'd wood, who-,' carle life was spent upon tin farm, nine,: of the work devolving upon him.

On the yd of September, 1868, he was | united in bonds of matrimony h Miss Susan j Campbell, daughter of Levan and Mary (Heffner) Campbell. At the time of their in the vicinity of the Ouackenbush hr me, i the young couple having been schoolmates ' for three years, her mother having come : from Greene county, t')hio, in 1865. Alter : their marriage, he operated his fathers farm ; for three years and for several years con- | tinned to rent, until he bought eighty acres. - to the improvement of 'which hrs attention | was devoted and upon which the}' redded until about: ten years since, when he secured the present farm, on the county line be¬ tween Blackford and Delaware counties, ft painstaking care. In addition to the home iarm he had another smaller place near by. which he had operated b\ tenants. 1 1 is death canu suddenly as the result of blood-poison¬ ing. \\ bile never an ardent partisan, he held decided views on public matters, which were usually in accord with the Republican party. \ Methodist in hi:- religious views and affil¬ iations. he was held in the highest respect by Ids fellow members in Alt. Carmel Methodist Episcopal church.

1 1 is family consisted of three children, of whom one, Mary Agues, died at eleven; William Andrew married Anna Brown, they having one son. Floyd Lawson. The youngest is Frank Leslie, a schoolboy of thirteen. Mrs. Ouackenbush remains on the homestead taking an active part in all that pertains to the advancement of the neighbor¬ hood.

Isaac L. Hughes

is most pleasantly located, on the Ritter pike, six miles south of Hartford City, and com-, prises eighty acres of valuable land. fts original condition was such that ail immense amount of hard labor was necessary to bring it into the present highl) improved condition; it had hut a small clearing with no buildings. He drained it in a mo bor¬ ough and systematic manner, laying many hundred of rods of tile, extending it to all parts of the farm. Good buildings were erected and by careful and judicious atten¬ tion to the many details that indicate the successful farmer, he made a very desirable and attractive farm. He was of the method¬ ical nature that takes just pride in having everything done in a businesslike manner and on every hand is witnessed the result of that

Isaac L. Hughes, ex-county commis¬ sioner and prominent farmer, was born in the house in which he now resides, Novem¬ ber 27, 1852. The house was erected the preceding year, and is, doubtless, the oldest nouse b Blackford county still in use as a residence;

In 1835 Jonathan and Kcziah (Slater) Hughes, he of Morgan county and she of Guernsey county, Ohio, migrated with a family of two children to Blackford county, entering government land in section 34, upon which they located temporarily, trading the iollowing year for the tract embodied in the present homestead. It was in a heavy wooded section and the cabin was ob¬ structed from the eyes of passers till they had come within a few rods of if, His brother,- Aaron Hughe . had altered the ad¬ joining- eighty a ere of land, and his life was thenceforth passed upon thru tract. .Man) settlers and land seekers were corning- this county at that time, and the service of Jonathan, who was an expert woodman, was in constant demand to pilot them to Eat Wayne, where the land office was lo¬ cated. With his compass fur a guide. he would set nto the iorcst and though sometimes bewildered, never got completely lost, hut would soon strike some familiar trail or stream, and thus never failed to reach his destination, experiencing, however, many thrilling incidents that would have deferred a less brave man from repeating the trips.

He was born in Morgan county, Ohio. April 2. 1009, and died when within but five days of his seventy-fourth year. His exertions placed nearly all the farm in cul¬ tivation, and his efforts towards the general improvement and advancement of the com¬ munity were not inconsiderable. His widow.', horn June 6, 1813, and whose courage was not less marked than his own. survived him about five years, dying April 6, 18S8. Thee were joined in wedlock on December 15, 1831. The)r rest in the Stewart graveyard, beside many others of those hard) pioneers, whose lives can pot be too highly extolled.

Here, at the organization of the county as a political entity, Jonathan Hughes be¬ came its first assessor ; the first assessment re¬ quired but a few avs for him to visit every home in the county. Like the great ma¬ jority of frontiersmen, to whom Andrew Jackson was of finer clav than nrdii ary mor-

Jones, of Hart lord ; it y ; Isaac L., horn Xu- | vemher 27, 1852, is the subject of this | sketch; Emily A born June 1, 1856, E the I wife of George YV . Campbell, of Licking.

; John Yv ., born May 31, 1837, passed his life ! in the county and died from heart disease while on his wav home from a neighbor's: Caroline, born September 15, 1839, married ' leury Cunningham and died leaving two civ' Iren; Eveline, horn March 4. 1842, be c: the wife of Samuel R. Ross, and died

] he no) hood o i Isaac L. was passed upon ' the farm, v here he remained so long as his ; parents hve.d. giving them the filial devotion due them in cheir declining years. After they j had been called away he bought the interests ! of the other heirs, and has also another farm of forty acres in another neighborhood. lie was married, December 23, .1875, to Miss Caroline Martin. d. liter oJ William and Rachael (Long) Martin, who was horn in Delaware county, cm mug to this conn tv when a child of ten. khey have one son

Tiie Biographical Rfcoro

Like bis Jather, Isaac L. espoused Democ¬ racy, in which party's organization he lias ! been no cipher, having been found in the ! councils of the party q 1 almost every oe- ' casion.

At the . resignation of James G. Baird | from the board of count} commissioners, on j account of failing health. Mr. ITttgh.es was appointed to Till the vacancy, the m , 'wired term continuing for upwards of iwo years. ! lie was then the unanimous choice <-' his ! party for another term, the duties of which i he ahly filled to the county's betterment and j general satisfaction. His colleagues were \ Jo n Clore, Thomas T. McGeath and A. 1 \\ . Miles, with all of whom he acted in most cordial relationship. The new court Incase was erected during his service, at a cost of thirteen thousand, nine hundred dollars, fully equipped with furniture, ere. . Though bonds were placed upon the open market at a time of great, financial depression, die second issue was sold at a handsome pre¬ mium. showing the excellent condition of the finances. Improvement': in puces and j public drains were inaugurated and extended, j and in all of these important matters it is a I matter of great satisfaction to the members 1 of the hoard of commission s that they w ere | always tin incus in their action. Very I little friction existed and no man of such j public service holds a wanner place in the j estimation of the people than does Isaac L. Hughes.

In his private business, to which his at¬ tention has been wholly devoted since the expiration of his public service, he breeds thoroughbred roadster and Norman horses, in which he has been quite successful. An

Odd Fellow at Hartford City, he is also a member of the encampment, though dis¬ tance prevents his activity in die lodge work as inclination and fitness might dictate.

One of the more pretentious and attrac¬ tive farms that attract the attention of the traveler passing the southwest of ! larttord C City is that of G/.ra A. Stallsmith, which with its well appointed buildings and neatly ar¬ ranged fields, demands more than a passing notice. Thepropri. ", .Ezra A. Stallsmith, is >ne of the most p -wive men of the com¬ munity, conduct:- e farm operations in a ' usiness-l kc and > mi be manner. He was horn two and one-half miles northeast of I larttord City, in Wash igton township, De¬ cember .25. 1856. TBs parents were George and Margaret (Troxel) Stallsmith, both of whom were natives of Gettysburg, Adams county, Pennsylvania, where they were reared and married. They at once came to Connersville, Indiana, where he, having served a three-years apprenticeship, worked at the carpenter's trade.

Lie came fo Blackford county when Hart¬ ford City was just starting. Buying eighty acres of wild land, he settled in the woods and began to dear up the farm. Being a skilled mechanic, his services were sought in both town and c mtry. His skill as a workman was such that he \ . placed in charge of nearly rdl of the finer Grades of work. In 1S67 lie returned to Gettysburg for two years and in 1870 he bought one hundred acres of land where Ezra now lives. It had hut .a small clearing and no buildings. .Though he had met with financial losses, he now devoted himself to regain former losses. I !e at first 1 milt two cabins, in one of which h>. fixed ten years, w hen c. erected the pres¬ ent residence. Four years later he left the farm, living retired in Hartford City till his death, January 25, 1897, in his eighty-first year.

i I is wi :e died January 25. 1887. lie ha\ mg survived her just ten years. Methodical and painstaking in his habits, he was satis¬ fied with no half-way work, but, with the tastes of a true mechanic, lie demanded that catty thing be done in a workmanlike maii- 5iG1- was supplied with a complete out¬ fit °t the finest mechanical tools, in the u - - of which lie excelled. Reared a Luioeraii, he for some years rem.-.ined with that church, but later became identified w ith the United Brethren, in whose society, at Hanford City, lie was an influential member. He served the society for many years as . few aid, and beside., contributing liberally did much to advance the interests of the church.

His family consisted of six children : Melissa, who died in infancy; Wesley, a fanner or Jackson township; Catherine, wife of Alfred Death, of Hartford City; Edgar, now a farmer in W ells count,-, but who was formerly a blacksmith at Hartford City; Charles, who died at ten years of age; and I*./! a, who as a lad of fourteen upon the return of the family to Blackford county, lie lemamed with his father while he oper¬ ated the tann, having principal charge of it himself, however, from the time he at¬ tained his majority. in 188.;, when Ids Dither retired, lie bought the farm, which contained one hundred and twenty-tw o acres. He has himself placed about forty-live acres m cultivation ; some fifteen acres, being low and wet. was made valuable on'- by system¬ atic drainage. His father had always con¬ tended that water could not find its wa 1111(1 tile drains and had adhered to the old style timber ditches; hut Ezra at once adopted the more modern plan, having al¬ ready laid upwards of one thousand rods of tdt. While he grows considerable grain U is mainly mi verte, i into 1 > c * - i and pork, ii< generalh keeping about twenty head <u cuiix. and ncai ly one hundred hogs, l\ef"piuy abreast witu the times, his farm is stocked with high guide hogs and cattle and tin 0- oughbred Norman horses. In 1892 he erect ed a barn 40x72 lect, with tw entv-tw o- foot posts, which not only affords ample stable accommodations, but contributes materially ! f-° 1iie genera) prosperous appearance of the I place.

I a E' ty-acre farm on section 4, of the same township, some three miles distant. With me exception of one year, when he conducted a meat maikei in Hartford City, Ins atten¬ tions ha e been mainly devoted to the farm. He is, however, identified with the Amcr: an f dass ( ompany, as agent, to oversee a por- 11011 01 their outside work, more especially looking titter the gas wells now producing aim laying of lines. His ability and atteniion to details have pi red him in high es¬ timation with the company officials. His own farm lying in the gas belt, he was one oj die lust to lease, which he did some ten yearn since, although as yet its productive ness has not been tested.

I I cm \ and Maiiah ( Atkinson j Moore, who were pioneers of tiie comity. He was horn in \ irginia, while she was a native of Penn¬ sylvania. I hey settled, in an early dav, lom miles southwest <4 1 fart ford, where h.a, the youngest ol eight children, was horn.

The Stailsmith family consists of one son, I Ralph (i. , born August u, 1890. Mr. Stall- i smith w . , early in life a Democrat, hut when ^ llie temperance question grew prommeni lie i became a Prohibitionist, in which cause he ! has 1 en an ardent worker. He is the pres¬ ent b- - met chairman, a'i campaign work re- 1 cci vu.-g his j>ersonal attention, and his pres¬ ence and influence carries weight in all the i party councils.

Himself and wife a. members of the Methodist church, but, a.s in all other mat¬ ters. he holds to most liberal views. Always j alive to advanced ideas, lie took an active j interest in the Patrons of Husbandry when ; the movement was being organized, and j everything that has had for its object the

Archibald M. Campbell

Archibald McClain Campbell, of Lick¬ ing township, is a prom Cent representative of those brave men and women whose lives were devoted to the infancy of Blackford county, and, with possibly one exception, is the oldest man now living in the county who was born within i>> present boundaries. His birth occurred October 1, 1837, on the farm that is now his home <r 1 practically on the site of his present residence. His parents were William \V. and Phebe (Mc¬ Lean) Campbell, the father being a native of Vermont and the mother of Mary], nd ; both were brought by their parents to Athens

In 1836 William \Y. mpbell came to Indiana in search of a home and entered the tract upon which he settled, ire there¬ after devoted himself largely to its improve¬ ment and cultivation. However, lie had learned the trade of a shoemaker, and being the only one for a considerable distance, be became the popular Crispin for nearly all the pioneer families who were near him, working often till near midnight and on rainy da vs. In this way lie managed to live, and at the same time to improve a valuable farm, having placed nearly one hundred acres in cultivation. He was a man of sterling worth and undoubted integrity. Keenly alive to all that made for better citi¬ zenship, his inlluen.ee was to the upbuilding of the community and it can truly be said of bun that "the world was better by his hav¬ ing lived. He passed away at bis home in his sixty-eighth year, honored and re¬ spected by all: Of his eleven children nine grew to maturity, and o? these seven are still living: Nathan is a resident of Hartford City and John resides at Eaton, Indiana. Archibald M. remained at home till reaching his majority, when he went to Missouri, where, in Schuyler county, in November of the year 1860, he was joined in matrimom to Miss Samantha Currier, a native of Per¬ ry county, Ohio, and raised in Athens coun¬ ty, that sta ', and who had gone to .Missouri with her parents as a young lady of seven ¬ teen. 1 he outlook for war and the intensitv of feeling in that state was such that the young couple decided to return to Indiana, w hich they did just before the outbreak of actual conflict, the boat they took passage upon at Alexandria, Missouri, being the last one allowed to leave. Reaching Indiana lie took charge of the opcr.tt j* m nl' the home¬ stead. conduct in;;- it with uniform success till, at his father's death, he started in to j secure the owucv.dhp of it hy purchasing the j other interests.

The process was slow, hut after a few 1 years he succeeded, in the meantime making I many valuable improvements, lie replaced : the old style timber drains with die and ex¬ tended them, laying over twelve hundred rods, which reaches to all essential parts of i the one hundred ami thirteen acres com- j prised in the estate. He stiff red die. loss | by lire of his former residence, but has re- i placed it with one superior in every respect, i

\\ bile not a breeder of thoroughbred stock, his aim is to ko a high-grade line of such stock as is usual, found, converting all the grain grown into stock for the mar¬ ket. Wise judgment and careful manage- : ment, coupled with economy, industry, will¬ ingness and persistent work, have won lor him an independent position in linancia! cir¬ cles, and with the im rest he has ever shown in all that advances the community, he stands todav one of the substantial and foremost citizens of the county. Grounded in Democratic doctrine, he has adhered faith¬ fully to those principles which make for better government and the enhancement of the individual. He has been often selected to represent his party in its conventions and other councils. He was the deputy collector of delinquent taxes for Washington and Licking townships, was also land appraiser tor Licking township and at one time served as a member of the board of county commis¬ sioners.

ry, of Delaware eoitm \ ; Archibald Mattson, who assists in operating the homestead; Nathan Ldgar. of Hartford City, and Cane New >n. aCo nf Licking township. lie takes pride t the fact that he is the grand¬ father of au even dozen. Not tied l > re¬ ligious creed or dogma and with no social ties that in any wise hamper the largest indi¬ vidual hcedom of thought, he stands an ex¬ ponent id" persona! liberty and an example of unaided effort and independent manhood.

Theodore Clapper

The traveler who passes south from Hartford City on the Winters pike will, when just beyond the city limits, be at¬ tracted by a well kept and thrift} farm, the residence standing- some distance front the road, but commanding a splendid vwwn This has tor many years been known as the Handley estate, now owned and operated by Theodore Clapper, a native of the county, being "to the manor. born." His own birth¬ place was one mile west of Ins present home, the date of birth being November A 1855. His father, Chri. niter Clapper, yielded his life in the cause t his country, his death, occurring at Huntsville, Alabama, in Jan¬ uary, 1865. TH widow, whose maiden name was Catherine Hall, was thus left with the care of three children- - Theodore being 1 be eldest and he then but ten years of age; the others we; Alice, now the wife of Get ge Marley and Dr. M. M. Clapper, < f whom see a ske. h elsew here.