T.S. KENNEDY was but three years of age when brought by his parents to this county, the journey hither being with team and wagon.  His youth was passed in assisting in the work of his father's farm, and in attending the pioneer schools of his neighborhood, where he received but a limited education.  The country was almost in a state of nature when the family settled in Wea Township, and they endured many of the hardships and privations incident to life in a newly settled country.   T.S. has always followed the vocation of a farmer; the KENNEDY farm on which he settled in 1863, is now one of the best in Wea Township.  It consists of 210 acres of well improved land, and the entire surroundings show the owner to be a thorough, practical farmer.  His residence is built in modern style, and comfortably and elegantly furnished, and his farm buildings compare favorably with the best in the county.   August 11, 1847, MR. KENNEDY was married to MISS CATHERINE M. SUMMERS, a native of Wayne County, Kentucky, but at the time of her marriage her parents, SAMUEL and ELIZABETH SUMMERS, were residents of Gentry County, Missouri, where she was married.  To this union five children were born, named--STEPHEN ARTHUR, ELIZABETH, ALTA, MARGARET ISABEL, JOHN and GEORGE (twins).  MRS. KENNEDY died December 14, 1860, and January 1, 1863, MR. KENNEDY was again married to MRS. ELIZA LEONARD, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of WILLIAM and MARY PRICE.   MR. KENNEDY is a Republican in his political sympathies, but has never aspired to office.  He is a zealous and worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church.  His cordial manners, genial disposition and honorable business dealings have gained for him the respect of the entire community, and both socially and financially he is a representative man of Tippecanoe County.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 523-524
Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

DAVID ELLIOTT, an enterprising and progressive farmer, is a native of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, born in Sheffield Township, on the farm which he now owns and occupies, September 22, 1844, a son of ROBERT ELLIOTT, a prominent and successful pioneer of the county.  ROBERT ELLIOTT was born May 12, 1805, in Perry County, Pennsylvania, a son of CHARLES ELLIOTT, who was also a native of Pennsylvania, and of Irish and Welsh ancestry.  ROBERT ELLIOTT was reared in Perry County, and was there married to MRS. ELIZA ROBERTS, who was born in Juniata County, Pennsylvania.  To them were born seven children, but three are now living--MARY, wife of JOSEPH FULLENWEIDER, of Brown Valley, Montgomery County, Indiana; MARTHA J., also living at Brown Valley, and DAVID.  The four deceased were--CHARLES; a babe who died in infancy unnamed; SCOTT, who was a member of Company A, Fortieth Indiana Infantry, and was killed in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, June 27, 1864; and WILLIAM H. died January 20, 1861.  In 1829 ROBERT ELLIOTT and his brother SAMUEL, with their families immigrated to Tippecanoe County, Indiana, with a four-horse team.

The father of our subject then entered from the Government 160 acres of land on sections 18 and 19, and 120 acres on section 34 of Sheffield Township, and at once erected a log cabin on section 34, in which his family lived for eighteen months.  He then removed to section 19, where he build a frame dwelling which is still standing on the farm.  Here his wife died January 5, 1847, and June 8, 1848, he was again married to MISS JANE WALLACE, who died September 12, 1874.  ROBERT ELLIOT died August 11, 1872.  He was successful through life, and became the owner of a fine property.  He was an active and zealous member of the Presbyterian church, in which he served as elder for many years.  Politically he was a Rebpulican.  DAVID ELLIOTT, whose name heads this sketch, grew to manhood on the old homestead in Sheffield Township, his youth being spent in working on the farm and in attending the common shools of his neighborhood, also at the schools of Lebanon, Indiana, where he received a good eduction.   He is now the only representative of his father's family living in this county.  He was married March 2, 1875, to MISS ALICE RICHEY, a daughter of JOHN RICHEY, one of the prominent pioneers of Wea Township.  MR. ELLIOTT now owns 284 acres of Tippecanoe County's best soil, his land being well improved and under fine cultivation.  His present fine two story brick residence was build in 1877, and is a model of comfort and convenience.  His barn is large and commodious, and his other farm buildings are correspondingly good, the entire surroundings of the place showing the owner to be a man of care and thrift.  In politics, like his father, MR. ELLIOTT affiliates with the Republican party.  He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and is numbered among the best citizens of his township.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 522-523
Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

CHARLES M. COE, a prominent and public-spirited citizen of Lauramie Township, Tippecanoe County, was born in the same township in which he resides, on the old homestead, the date of his birth being January 30, 1861.  His father, ELIJAH W. COE, settled on the homestead in 1857, and is still a resident of Lauramie Township, engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 19.  CHARLES M., the subject of this sketch, was reared to the vocation of a farmer, which he has always followed, and in
his boyhood he received a fair common-school education in the schools of his neighborhood.  He was united in marriage, August 3, 1881, to MISS NELLIE McINTYRE, whose father, GEORGE McINTYRE, was an early settler of Lauramie Township, and made his home here until his death.  Four children have been born to MR. and MRS. COE, their names being as follows--GLENN D., FLOYD, RUBY and CHARLES LOREN.  MR. COE is classed among the successful young farmers of his township, he having by his own industry and good management acquired his fine farm on section 29, which consists of 170 acres of well-improved land.  In connection with his general farming he devotes some attention to the raising of stock.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, p. 519
Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

SAMUEL YEAMAN, a prominent citizen of Lauramie Township, is a native of Indiana, born in Union County, February 9, 1827, a son of SAMUEL and MARY (CLARK) YEAMAN, who died when our subject was an infant.  In 1829 his mother removed with her family to Montgomery County, locating just across the line from Lauramie Township, and here the subject of this sketch was reared until reaching his seventeenth year.  In April, 1844, he came to Yorktown, where he now lives, and here learned the tanner and currier's trade with PHILIP CORKINS.  October 5, 1848, he was married to SARAH CORKINS, a native of Onondaga County, New York, a daughter of PHILIP CORKINS, who settled in Lauramie Township with his family in the year 1838.   Of the seven children born to them but three are living--ALMON F., of Saybrook, Illinois, married MISS FRANCES A. CHENOWETH; JAMES H., of Richland Center, Wisconsin, married LEAH CROUCH, and they have two children, named ETHEL B. and MARY E.; CHARLIE M. married MISS ELLA LAMBERT, and lives in Des Moines, Iowa.  MR. YEAMAN followed the tanner's trade until 1850, when he embarked in the harness trade, to which he devoted his attention until 1858, when he carried on the tanner's trade in connection with his harness business, until 1865.  He then abandoned the tanning business, and followed the harness trade alone until within the past few years.   Since 1862 he has also been engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and is now the owner of a good farm of sixty acres on section 17, Lauramie Township, where he resides. In 1850 MR. YEAMAN was appointed township treasurer, serving as such one year when the law was changed.  He was then elected clerk of the board of township trustees, which position he held three years, being twice re-elected.  He was the first trustee elected under the present system, being four times re-elected, serving in all five years.  In 1873-'74 he was township assessor of Lauramie Township, and once since has been assistant assessor.  Both MR. and MRS. YEAMAN are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Stockwell.  Politically he affiliates with the Republican party.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 518-519
Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

ANDREW J. DOWNS, an active and enterprising citizen of Tippecanoe Township, was born in Ross County, Ohio, September 2, 1835, his father, WILLIAM DOWNS, being one of the early settlers of this county.  WILLIAM DOWNS was also born in Ross County, Ohio, one in a family of fifteen children.  His father was a soldier in the war of 1812.  WILLIAM DOWNS was reared in his native county, where he married RACHEL GREEN, a native of Wheeling, West Virginia.  In 1843 he came with his family, which then consisted of his wife and seven children, to Tippecanoe County, Indiana, and settled in Wabash Township, where the family lived until 1853.  They then removed to Wea Township, where the father improved a farm, living there many years.  He then bought property at Battle Ground and returned to this county where he resided until his death, which occurred May 2, 1872.  He was an active and zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a highly respected citizen.  Politically he was a Republican.

MR. DOWNS and wife were the parents of thirteen children, and of these seven grew to maturity--MRS. ANN EDMONDS, widow of EDWARD EDMONDS, now living in Dakota; CATHERINE, widow of J. W. JAMISON, living in LaFayette; ANDREW JACKSON, the subject of this sketch; MRS. SARAH ANN GODMAN, now deceased; MRS. ALCESTA MOORE, of Warren County, Indiana; MRS. ELIZA J. ROBINSON, living in Kansas, and WILLIAM who died at the
age of twenty-three years.  ANDREW J. DOWNS, our subject, was in his ninth year when brought by his parents to this county.  He was reared a farmer, receiving such education as the early schools of the county afforded.  July 20, 1857, he was married to MISS MARY FRANCES TUTTLE, who was born in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, a daughter of CHESTER and NANCY (MOORE) TUTTLE.  MRS. DOWNS was adopted and reared by PHILIP ENSMINGER, of La Fayette.  MR. and MRS. DOWNS are the parents of six children--PORT BYRON, RACHEL, AGNES, WILLIAM AVA, HARRY MORTON, EDWARD LEE, and CLARK BEEKS.  After his marriage, MR. DOWNS located on his father's homestead in Wea Township, where he lived until 1865.

In the fall of that year he engaged in the livery business at La Fayette, which he followed four years.  He then resided one year at Battle Ground, after which he was engaged in farming at different points until November, 1875, when he settled at his present home.  His home farm contains 185 acres of land under a fine state of cultivation, and his home is one of the most beautiful in the township in which he resides.  In connection with his general farming he is quite extensively engaged in buying and shipping stock.  In politics MR. DOWNS affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member of Lodge No. 313, A. F. & A. M., at Battle Ground.  He is a man of genial disposition and cordial manners, and is well known and highly respected throughout the community.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 517-518
Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Adina Watkins Dyer

ALLEN DeHART, an active and enterprising farmer of Wea Township, is a son of ADAM DeHART, who was one of the prominent pioneers of Tippecanoe County.  ADAM DeHART was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, October 24, 1785, and was reared in his native State.  He was married to MARY HOWARD in Rockingham County, Virginia, who was also a native of Virginia, and to them were born four children, as follows--JOHN, the eldest, died in Illinois in August, 1885, aged seventy-two years; ABNER died at the age of forty-five years; ELIZABETH is now the widow of THOMAS WATERS, and ALLEN, the subject of this sketch.   In 1825 the father immigrated with his family to this county, and made a settlement on section 25, Wea Township, on the land now occupied by the subject of this sketch.  A part of his land he entered from the
Government, and a part he purchased at $2.50 per acre, becoming the owner of about 400 acres.  He improved this land, and here he made his home until his death, which occurred about the year 1848.  He was a member of the United Brethren church, and was esteemed by all who knew him for his honorable and upright dealings with his fellow-men.  In politics he was a Democrat.  His wife survived him several years, and died on the old homestead.

ALLEN DeHART, whose name heads this sketch, was born on the 5th of January, 1825, in Ross County, Ohio, the youngest child in his father's family, and was a mere infant when brought to this county.  He has always lived on the old homestead in Wea Township, where he was reared amid the wild surroundings of pioneer life.  He is a thorough, practical farmer, and is the owner of 320 acres of well improved land, and everything about his farm exhibits signs of care and thrift.  His farm buildings, which were erected in 1887, at a cost of $2,500 are among the best in his township.  His present residence was erected to replace his house which was destroyed by fire June 6, 1887.

MR. DeHART has been twice married, taking for his first wife MISS MARIA HOLIDAY, a daughter of JOHN HOLIDAY, who was one of the county's pioneers.  She left at her death one daughter--RACHEL, who is now the wife of JOHN W. CANN.  The maiden name of his present wife was EMELINE WILLIAMS, formerly of Pike County, Ohio, and to his union one son has been born named LEWIS M.  In his political views MR. DeHART is independent, always voting for the man whom he considers best fitted for office.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, p. 517
Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

ALEXANDER WILSON, who has been actively identified with the business interests of La Fayette for many years, was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, fifty miles south of Pittsburgh, March 17, 1819.  His parents, DR. JOHN and SOPHIA (KRAMER) WILSON, were both natives of the State of Pennsylvania, the father born in Fayette County, and the mother in Greene County.  Our subject was quite young when his father died, and he was then reared by an uncle in Fayette County.  In 1837 he came to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he clerked in a store, and acted as agent for the paper-mill of his cousin, DANIEL YANDES.  He came to La Fayette, Tippecanoe County, in 1841.  After coming to LaFayette he established the paper-mills between the canal and the river, just below the site of the present South Street Depot, the name of the first firm being Barbee & Yandes, which was afterward changed to Hanna, Yandes & Wilson.  MR. WILSON was engaged in the manufacture of paper at this point until 1856, when he sold his interest, and bought an interest in the book-bindery and printing establishment, which was conducted under the firm name of Luse & Wilson for several years.  This firm also published the La Fayette Journal, and also did an extensive business in blank books, manufacturing the same for many States in the west and southwest.  MR. WILSON sold out to MR. LUSE about 1861, and then carried on the book business until 1870, when he engaged in the banking business under the firm name of Wilson & Hanna, which he has since followed with success.  His son, JOSEPH, is the present cashier of the bank.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 514-517
Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

A.C. HARVEY, an enterprising nursery-man and farmer, and a public-spirited citizen, was born in Hardy County, Virginia, in the year 1828.  In 1884 he came to Indiana with his father, B.C. HARVEY, who settled in Tippecanoe County, and the winter following the family resided in La Fayette.  The father and his boys employed themselves in hauling wood from the woods, where Sample's pork house now stands, to LaFayette, and at that time there was but one cabin south of Sample's Run.  The country, which in that vicinity was then swamp, wilderness and woods, is now covered over with dwellings, depots and railroads.  In the spring of 1835, the father bought the old GEORGE STUMP farm on Indian Creek, five miles northwest of La Fayette, at which place the subject of this sketch still resides.  His father died in 1841, and seven years later his mother died, leaving him to care for and provide for the five younger children.  In the course of time, by the strictest economy and good management, he accumulated a sum of money by which he was enabled to purchase the interests of the other children in the home farm as they became of age.  He has now 320 acres of land, a part of which was once covered by Headley's Lake, which by a process of artificial and natural drainage, has been redeemed and converted into farm land of surpassing fertility.  His success in the cultivation of the soil has been such as to give him especial notoriety as a wheat-raiser, and his corn, oats and potatoes almost always carry off premiums at county fairs.  He is a reliable horticulturist and nurseryman, and has had thirty years experience raising and selling fruit trees, vines and evergreens, and he will leave monuments of his industry, that a century will not efface.   He is a thorough, practical farmer, and the reasons for his great success is that he utilizes machinery, adopts the advanced thoughts on profitable agriculture by introducing new and improved varieties of grain and upon the suggestions of his own judgment, tries experiments in the introduction of improved methods and appliances calculated to develop the best processes.  These peculiarities of MR. HARVEY distinguish him as a man of honorable intentions and inflexible will, in which there is also a combination of positive energy and judicious perseverance.

MR. HARVEY's paternal ancestors are English, he being a descendant of DR. WILLIAM HARVEY, whose discovery of the circulation of the blood has rendered his name immortal. On his mother's side he is a descendant of ADAM CLARK, the commentator, and ABRAHAM CLARK, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.  MR. HARVEY has grown up with Tippecanoe County, and has strengthened with its prosperity, participating in the exercises, and practicing the customs and usages of society during the transforming process from the past to the present, from primitive nature and wild barbarisms to educated civilization and prosperity.

He has been twice married, taking for his first wife MISS JULIE A. HEATON, whose parents, JOHN S. and ANNA (RERICK) HEATON, were the first settlers of Dayton, where they kept a small store.  Three children were born to this union, of whom only one is now living, named AYLMER O.  MRS. HARVEY died in 1858, and MR. HARVEY was again married in 1859 to MISS EMELINE V. HEATON, a sister of his first wife, and to them have been born five children, three of whom are yet living; JULIA J., wife of DWIGHT C. ALLEN; ELNORA and EVA A.  MR. and MRS. HARVEY and their family are members of the Universalist church at Dayton.  MR. HARVEY was one of the organizers of the Wabash Grange, and was purchasing agent for the same, and for seven years held the office of secretary.  He also helped build and furnish the convenient Wabash Hall at Burton.   In his religious as well as secular views MR. HARVEY is a man of very decided opinions, believing that God will overcome evil with good that He will be satisfied with the work of His own hands; that in His providence He will direct all things for the best interests of His children, and for His own glory will finally save all mankind from sin with an everlasting salvation.  In politics he was formerly a Whig, Abolitionist and Unionist, and is now an uncompromising Prohibitionist and Republican.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 519-520
Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

HARVEY W. RAINEY, M. D., a prominent citizen of La Fayette, where he is engaged in the practice of medicine, is a son of THOMAS G. and MARGARET E. (WARD) RAINEY, who have been identified with the interests of Tippecanoe County for many years.  THOMAS G. RAINEY was born in Huntingdon, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, and was of Scotch-Irish parentage. He was reared and educated in Lancaster, Ohio, and there commenced his career as a dry goods merchant.  He came from Lancaster to La Fayette, this county, in 1850, and engaged in banking in this city.  His son HARVEY W. RAINEY, was born in La Fayette, Indiana, October 8,  1854, and here he grew to manhood.   He received a good education in his youth and is a graduate of the La Fayette High School.  His first employment was in the drug store of R. Schwegler & Brother.  In 1875 he commenced the study of medicine under the preceptorship of DR. E. B. GLICK, and in 1879-'80 he attended the Chicago Medical College, Chicago, Illinois.  He graduated from Long Island College Hospital in the class of 1882.  He had previous to this practiced medicine in Tippecanoe and Montgomery counties, and after his graduation he located in La Fayette, where he was associated with DR. S. T. YOUNT in the practice of medicine for a year and a half, since which he has practiced alone and is meeting with good success.

DR. RAINEY is a member of the Tippecanoe County Medical Society, the Indiana State Medical Society, and the American Medical Assocation.  From May, 1884, until 1885 he was city health officer, and in 1885 he was appointed United States pension examining surgeon.  He was secretary of the Tippecanoe County Medical society from 1885 until 1886.  He is a Mason, belonging to Tippecanoe Lodge, No. 492 La Fayette Chapter, No. 3, and La Fayette Commandery, No. 3.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 520-521
Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

JOHN B. GAULT, of La Fayette, is a native of Butler County, Ohio, born near Hamilton, August 17, 1834, a son of SAMUEL B. and MARY (WILSON) GAULT.  His father was a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, but reared in Butler County, Ohio, where he was married, his wife being a daughter of WILLIAM WILSON, who was a Captain in the war of 1812.  He removed from Butler County to Tippecanoe County, Indiana, with his family, and settled near the Clinton County line, where he made his home until 1855.  In that year he removed to Richland County, Wisconsin, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1869.  His widow is still a resident of Richland County.  To them were born six sons and one daughter--FRANCIS M. was Orderly Sergeant in Company G, Seventy-second Indiana Infantry during the war of the Rebellion, and died from the effects of exposure at Gallatin, Tennessee; JOHN B. is the subject of this sketch; LOAMI R. served his country in a Wisconsin regiment, and is now a minister of the United Brethren denomination in Oregon; WILLIAM W. was a member of the Twenty-fifth Wisconsin, his first service being in Minnesota, putting down the Indian outbreak (he died in the service at Galena, Arkansas); HENRY ALLISON was in a Wisconsin regiment, and was killed in the assault on Petersburg, Virginia, after the explosion of the mine; EDWARD W. lives on the home farm in Richland County, Wisconsin; FLORENCE is the deceased wife of REUBEN SUTTON.

JOHN B. GAULT, whose name heads this sketch, accompanied his father's family to Richland County, Wisconsin, and helped to buy the land from the Government on which the family located.  He remained there some three or four years, and returned to La Fayette in the fall of 1860, working during the summer months at the carpenter and joiner's trade.  He made political speeches during the Lincoln and Douglas campaign, and was a strong supporter of STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS, and when the call came for 75,000 troops he enlisted in the three months service, and served four months in Company E, Tenth Indiana Infantry, and took part in the battle of Rich Mountain.  After his return from the army he was married to MISS HARRIET F. CHRISTIAN, a native of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, and a daughter of LEE and ELIZA ANN (PERRIN) CHRISTIAN, the date of their marriage being September 12, 1861.  They are the parents of one son--EDWARD E.  He received a good education in the La Fayette High School, and subsequently learned the machinist's trade in the Barbee Fence Works.
He is now studying architecture at Riverside, near Chicago, Illinois.  After the war MR. GAULT engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he followed with good success until 1872. He then removed to La Fayette and has since devoted his attention to auctioneering almost exclusively.  He has followed that vocation for twenty-six years, having been thus engaged in connection with his farming pursuits.  He thoroughly understands his business, and has become known in Ohio, Illinois, and all over Indiana, where he has sold at auction much fine stock.  For several years he has been raising short-horn cattle, and in the summer of 1887 he devoted some attention to the raising of thoroughbred registered short-horns.  He still owns his farm, which contains sixty acres of choice land, located a half mile from the city limits.  In his political views he affiliates with the Republican party, but is very liberal in his views, believing there is some good in all parties.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp.521-522
Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

SILAS S. SHAFFER, section 23, Lauramie Township, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, April 11, 1819, of German ancestry.  His father, JACOB SHAFFER, and his grandfather, JACOB SHAFFER, SR., were natives of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, his great-grandfather, SHAFFER, being a native of Germany.  The mother of our subject, ANNA (THATCHER) SHAFFER, was born in the State of New Jersey, a daughter of SAMUEL and SUSAN THATCHER, her
grandfather, THATCHER, being a native of England.  When the subject of this sketch was a lad of eight years his parents removed to Columbus, Ohio, where he was reared and educated.  He learned the bakery and confectionery trade in that city, which he followed for more than thirty years, and was an unusually good workman.   In the spring of 1844 he came to La Fayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, and became associated in business with HIRAM BRUNSON.  This partnership was dissolved in 1849, when his brother, JACOB SHAFFER, came from Columbus, Ohio, and became his partner. In January, 1866, he left La Fayette, removing to his farm on section 23, Lauramie Township, which contains fifty acres of well improved land, and there he has since devoted his attention to farming and stock-raising.

MR. SHAFFER was married May 28, 1846, to MISS CHARLOTTE OYLER, a daughter of SAMUEL OYLER, who is now deceased.  MR. OYLER came from London, England, to America, in 1837, and the same year entered the land now occupied by the subject of this sketch.  Of seven children born to MR. and MRS. SHAFFER, but four are living--CHARLES, HARRY, ADA and GEORGE.  CHARLES, who is an inventor and a practical machinist, married
NETTIE SLY, and has two children, named HARRY and AMY.  He makes his home in Rockford, Illinois.  HARRY has been twice married, the maiden name of his first wife being ELVA LUCAS.  One child, a girl, ELVA GENEVIEVE, was born to them.  ELVA died December 23, 1879, her child surviving her but seven months.  He was married a second time to MATTIE THOMPSON, and to this union three children have been born, named--LOTTIE, CHARLES and OLIVER RONALD.

HARRY SHAFFER is the present principal of the Clark's Hill schools.  ADA is the wife of BOURBON THOMPSON, of Lauramie Township, and they are the parents of two children, named--BLANCHE and GEORGE. GEORGE SHAFFER, who lives in Lauramie Township, married MINNIE DAUGHERTY, and they have one child named GLENN.  In religion the SHAFFER family are Universalists.  In politics MR. SHAFFER affiliates with the Republican party.  JACOB SHAFFER, the father of our subject, was a doctor by profession, and practiced medicine in Cleveland, Ohio, when that city was a mere hamlet.  He was one of the first eclectic physicians in the United States, and was a very skillful practitioner, who during the cholera scourge in 1832, was more successful in that disease than any other physician of his time.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, p. 524
Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

ABSALOM HOFFMAN, who has been identified with the interests of Tippecanoe County many years, was born in Ross County, Ohio, January 20, 1815, a son of JONAS HOFFMAN, who was a native of Kentucky, and an early settler of Ross County.  Our subject was reared to agricultural pursuits until fourteen years of age when he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed several years.  He was married November 8, 1840, to MISS NANCY CONRAD, a daughter of JOSEPH CONRAD, deceased, and of the eleven children born to this union eight still survive--MARTIN A., who was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion; WILLIAM, DAVID, OWEN, EDWARD, SOPHIA, MARY and EASTER.  Two sons, named SILAS J. and ABSALOM, died after reaching maturity.

MR. HOFFMAN came with his family to this county in the fall of 1840, and settled on section 28, Lauramie Township, where he has since made his home.  His land when he settled on it was almost entirely unimproved, but by hard work he has brought his farm under a fine state of cultivation.  He has hauled much grain to La Fayette, and one time took a load of corn there which he sold for 12 1/2 cents a bushel, receiving for the load just 75 cents less than he was paid for hauling a
load of pork for another party the same year.  He sold wheat there for 30 and 35 cents per bushel, receiving his pay in trade.  He received $35 for a horse; sold cows for $6 each, and calves for $1.  He bought eighty acres of land at one time, paying for the same but $40.  He has met with success in his agricultural pursuits, and is now the owner of a fine farm of 116 acres.  In connection with his general farming, he devotes some attention to stock-raising.  He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and among the respected citizens of Lauramie Township.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 524-527
Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

JOHN P. ANDERSON, farmer and stockraiser, Union Township, was born in, Pike County, Ohio, February 23, 1832, a son of JAMES C. and MARTHA E. (BOSWELL) ANDERSON, his father a native of Virginia, and his mother of Maryland.  When he was four years old his parents moved to Vermillion County, Indiana, and thence in 1840 to Tippecanoe County, landing here March 31.  The father bought 120 acres of partially improved land, with a log-house and stable, and in 1844 bought forty acres more.  He died in 1847.   Of his nine children four are now living--JOHN P.; ELIZABETH, wife of ROBERT SAMPLE;  E.T., and SARAH A., wife of EDWIN SEXTON.  After the father's death the care and management of the farm fell on our subject, who at that time was but fifteen years old, and he remained with his mother until manhood.  He was married in 1856 to PENCELIA COUK, a daughter of JOHN COUK, an early settler of the county.  He remained with his mother two years after his marriage, and then bought the farm where he has since lived, and now owns a half interest in 720 acres of choice land.    His wife died leaving five children--ELIZABETH, wife of CHARLES WILLARD, of Muncie; EDWARD, WILLIAM, HENRY and ANNIE.  He then married MRS. ANNIE TAEGUE, widow of DR. TAEGUE.  They have one daughter--RUTH.  In politics MR. ANDERSON is a Republican.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, p. 527
Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

BENJAMIN F. BIGGS was born in Frederick County, Maryland, February 15, 1824.  He spent his early life in working on a farm in the summer months and attending school in the winters, so that by the time he was sixteen years old he had acquired a common-school education sufficient to enable him to teach the district school, which he did for one or more winters; but not caring for that occupation, and the life a farmer among the red land and limestone hills of Maryland not being suited to his tastes, and having a mechanical turn of mind, he turned from the plow handle and apprenticed himself to his uncle to learn the millwright's trade, remaining with him four years at a salary of $100 per year.  The first work he was put at here was cutting cordwood, but having once made up his mind he stuck to his trade until he had completed his full time as an apprentice, and for several years afterward he worked as a journeyman with his former employer, a day's work at that time being from daylight until nine or ten o'clock at night.

MR. BIGGS was married January 11, 1849, to ELIZABETH GROFF, and in the spring of 1851 they, with some relatives, in covered wagons, followed the "Star of Empire" across the mountains, and after six weeks' travel, landed in La Fayette, where they commenced making a home.  His reputation as a millwright was soon established and his services were in constant demand, but the nature of his work being such as to keep him away from his family he abandoned it soon after coming to this county.   He was engaged as foreman in the pump factory of R.H. Durbin, then run on a small scale, and remained in his employ for nine years.  At the expiration of this time he formed a partnership with his employer, and two years later bought out his partner's interest, carrying on the business alone.  The competition had heretofore been small, but about this time new shops sprang up and others with larger capital came into existence, and it became evident that the competition would be very
close.  The watchword of MR. BIGGS on starting out in life had been "never spend a dollar until earned," and "No matter how small the earnings, save something."  He made a firm resolve never to borrow a dollar, which policy he rigidly adhered to throughout his life, and to keep his business within his captial.   The demand for his pumps spread through all the adjoining States and as far west as Kansas, this trade being drawn solely through the medium of the mailing of circulars and price lists.  His business having thus greatly increased, and become very profitable, and his lease expiring he was compelled to get larger quarters.  He then bought the vacant block near the Wabash depot, and erected a three-story brick building, 40x100 feet in dimensions, and adjoining sheds for the storage of lumber, etc. His interests still increasing, and his care in proportion, he sold a half interest in the business to CURTIS E. WELLS, the firm being known as B.F. BIGGS & WELLS for five years, during which time MR. BIGGS devoted his attention to the perfecting of his pump in every possible way until it became the acknowledged standard pump of the country, he having added several valuable patents of his own invention.  At the Centennial at Philadelphia, in 1876, he exhibited a line of his pumps, and carried off a medal and a diploma.  At the expiration of five years MR. BIGGS bought his partner's interest and assumed the entire business alone.  Each year witnessed the widening of his territory, and the increased sale of his pumps until they were to be found in every county in the Middle States and in several of the Eastern and Western States.

For many years MR. BIGGS had been a great sufferer as he had supposed with dyspepsia, and realizing that his health was failing, he withdrew partially from the active care of his business, but always kept a general oversight of it.  His two sons died in childhood.  He also had two daughters, one of whom married M.H. TIMBERLAKE.  In 1877 MR. TIMBERLAKE came into the business, and on him devolved the principal oversight of the office and general manangement.   In 1881 MR. BIGGS laid the foundation for his handsome double residence property, corner Ninth and Columbia streets, which was completed and handsomely furnished in the fall of 1882, but he was not permitted to enjoy his beautiful home long.  He grew rapidly worse, and it was soon discovered that his old fancied dyspepsia was nothing less than cancer of the stomach.  All that medical science could do was tried, and as a last resort the surgeon's knife was used, but on opening the stomach the task was found to be hopeless.  He survived but a short time, and gradually sank to rest December 1, 1883, in his fifty-ninth year.  His estate was divided among his wife and children, and his business left to his son-in-law and daughter, which has since been conducted under that management.  He was a man of strong convictions, and an opinion once formed he was slow to change it.  He was just and honorable in all his dealings, and asked nothing from anyone that he would not cheerfully accede to them.  He was a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal church.  For several years he was a prominent member of the Odd Fellows order, and was buried under the auspices of that order.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 537-539
Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

WILLIAM MARTIN, a son of JOHN H. MARTIN, one of the early settlers, and a much respected citizen of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, was born on the old homestead in Randolph Township, January 18, 1846.  He has always followed agricultural pursuits to which he was reared, and in his youth he attended the schools of his neighborhood, where he received a common-school education.  He was united in marriage October 13, 1866, to MISS SARAH E. RAMEY, a daughter of SAMUEL RAMEY who is now deceased.  At the time of his death he was a resident of White County, Indiana.  MR. and MRS. MARTIN are the parents of six children--ADDA J., SAMUEL H., EVA L., NELLIE G., WILLIAM T. and BESSIE O., all still at home with their parents.  MR. MARTIN makes his home on section 1, Randolph Township, where he has a well improved farm of 174 acres under a fine state of cultivation.  Post office, South Raub.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, p. 537
Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

MARCELLUS RAWLES, engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 35, Wabash Township, was born on the homestead farm in Tippecanoe County, November 21, 1841, a son of JOHN and MATILDA (NEWELL) RAWLES, old and honored pioneers of the county.  The subject of this sketch was reared to the vocation of a farmer, which he has followed principally through life.   He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion, August 12, 1862, in Company C, Seventy-second Indiana Infantry, and was assigneed to Wilder's Brigade at Lebanon, Kentucky.  He participated in the battle of Hoover's Gap, and then after that engagement he went with his brigade on a raid around in the rear of Bragg's army and destroyed the railroad bridge, and they were kept surrounded on the mountain for a day and a night.  They bade their friends good-by before starting on this expedition, never expecting to return alive, and on their return they were greeted with loud cheers.  This was the first brigade to cross the Tennessee River above Chattanooga, and after crossing they soon found themselves in very close quarters, having withdrawn during the night under a false camp fire.  Their next engagement was near La Fayette, Georgia, where four companies were under the command of Colonel Kirkpatrick.  From LaFayette they took a norhwesterly course, sending a scout ahead, who reported that the rebels were in their vicinity.  They again turned their course, and soon found themselves between two rebel armies, when they were again compelled to build false camp fires, which deceived the enemy and saved the brigade.  They proceeded thence to Gordon's Mill, and were soon after engaged in a skirmish on Chickamauga Creek while guarding bridges.  Their next battle was at Chickamauga, on the 19th and 20th of September, 1863, where they were placed in the rear of General Davis' division to support him.   During the forenoon of the first day Davis was forced from the field by Longstreet's corps who had always been victorious in every charge.   After several attempts to win the battle they were finally forced to retreat.  After this battle the Seventy-second Brigade marched in line of battle through the woods, and guarded the army train of Rosecran's army safely into Chattanooga, then recrossed the Tennessee River, after General Wheeler, being sent out with five days' rations.  They followed him up closely to Murfreesboro, thence to Shelbyville, overtaking him at Farmington, Tennessee, where they had a pitched battle and captured all his artillery, consisiting of four pieces.   General Wheeler made his escape, but a number of his men were taken prisoners by the Union brigade to which the subject of this sketch belonged.  The regiment then started on a scouting expedition through west Tennessee, and captured a good many guerrillas. On their way to Black Swamps and West Point they destroyed an immense amount of cotton and corn belonging to the Confederate Government.  At the latter place they were attacked by an overwhelming force of the rebel army and retreated for three days and nights, being under constant fire, and not having time to eat or sleep for three days and nights.  On the evening of the third day of the retreat the rebels were crowding so close that General Smith called on the Seventy-second to hold them in check.  The Seventy-second soon opened fire upon them, and in a few minutes not a rebel could be seen.

MR. RAWLES was with Sherman on his famous march to Atlanta, and on this march was under constant fire about 100 days.  Before the fall of Atlanta they destroyed a railroad near Decatur.  They were ordered to make a raid in the rear of Atlanta, and while thus engaged were surrounded by the enemy and ordered to surrender, but Miller took the Seventy-second and went out, followed by the balance of the brigade.   After the fall of Atlanta the members of the Seventy-second were ordered to turn over their horses to General Kirkpatrick's Cavalry, and they went to Louisville, where they were remounted, January 1, 1865, they again started South, and the following March reached Gravelly Springs, where they were placed in General James Wilson's command, after which they started on a raid through Alabama, and were in the battle at Selma, that State, where they made a most famous charge during the whole service, capturing 2,700 prisoners and destroying vast stores of rebel supplies.  From that point they proceeded across the Alabama River;  marched to Montgomery, thence to Columbus, Georgia, where they took some 2,000 or 3,000 prisoners.   While on their way, subsequently, to Macon, Georgia, they were met by a rebel commander with a flag of truce.  The regiment started home from Macon, and were mustered out at Indianapolis, July 12, 1865.  MR. RAWLES served eighteen months as a scout for Wilder's brigade, and several times his horse was shot from under him, but he returned home safely.  Since the war he has lived in Washington and Shelby townships with the exception of about three years spent in Tennessee.  He was married in 1861 to MISS SARAH J. FULTS, a native of Virginia, and they have two children, named FRANK M. and FLORENCE M.  Politically MR. RAWLES is a Republican.  He is a member of Marsh B. Taylor Post, No. 475, G.A.R.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 532-535
Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

MICHAEL MILLER, one of the well-known citizens of Tippecanoe County, who has been identified with the interests of Tippecanoe Township since 1856, is a native of Ohio, born in Montgomery County, July 7, 1834.  His parents, SAMUEL and MARGARET (HOOVER) MILLER, were natives of Pennsylvania, and his grandparents were natives of Germany.  In 1845, when the subject of this sketch was eleven years old, his parents removed with their family, then consisting of five children, to Cass County, Indiana, where the father died October 4, 1846.  He was born in 1807.

SAUMEL MILLER and wife had born to them six children, the youngest being born in Indiana.  Four of the children are yet living--MICHAEL, our subject; MRS. ELIZABETH BICKLE, of Missouri; MRS. MARY SENSENBAUGH, of Perry Township, this county, and MRS. SUSANNAH SWITH, of Westerville, Illinois.  ABRAHAM died in Tippecanoe County, leaving a wife and four children, and another son, JACOB, who was a member of Company A, fortieth Indiana Infantry, was killed at the battle of Missionary Ridge, November 25, 1863.  The mother is still living, aged seventy-five years, is in good health, and tends to her household duties.  She has had thirty grandchildren, of whom seventeen are yet living, and she has six great-grandchildren.

MICHAEL MILLER, whose name heads this sketch, was reared to the vocation of a farmer, which he has always followed, and his education was obtained in the pioneer schools of his neighborhood, taught in rude log cabins with puncheon floor and clapboard roof.  He located on his present farm in Tippecanoe Township, in 1856, at which time his land was entirely unimproved, and heavily timbered.  His farm now contains ninety-six acres of well improved land which he has accomplished by hard work and persevering industry.  MR. MILLER was a gallant soldier in the late war, enlisting August 2, 1862, in Company F, Ninety-ninth Indiana Infantry, and July 21, 1864, he was severely wounded near Atlanta, being shot in the left leg just above the knee.  From the result of this wound he was confined in field hospital until September 19, of that year.  MR. MILLER was always with his command, and ready for any duty he had to perform, and never lost but one turn of guard duty, from the date of his enlistment until wounded.  He received an honorable discharge in June, 1865, when he returned to his home in Tippecanoe Township.

He was married May 26, 1870, to MISS CAROLINE ELIZABETH GHER, a native of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of DAVID and ELIZABETH (LONG) GHER, both now deceased, the former dying at Cassville, Indiana, in 1885, and the latter in Clinton County, Indiana, in 1871.  MR. and MRS. MILLER have two children--JACOB O., born March 27, 1871, and FLORA ELLEN, born February 17, 1873.  MR. MILLER is classed among the public-spirited men of his township, and every worthy enterprise has his encouragement and support.  Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, casting his first presidential vote for Buchanan.  Both he and his wife are members of the Church of God.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 531-532
Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

PETER B. SMITH, one of the old and honored pioneers of Tippecanoe Township, with whose interests he has been identified for fifty years, is a native of Indiana, born in Wayne County, May 16, 1816, the year in which Indiana was admitted into the Union.  He is a son of JOHN and ABIGAL (COWAN) SMITH, his parents being natives of Maryland and Ohio respectively.  They removed with their respective parents to Wayne County, Indiana, where they were married.  JOHN SMITH, in his younger days, belonged to a company known as the Mountain Rangers, and became quite a noted Indian fighter, being often engaged in contests with the Indians.   About the year 1810, he with a number of other men, built a block-house near Milton, in Wayne County, which was erected as a protection for them against the Indians, who in those days were frequently on the war path.  On one occasion, shortly after the erection of the block-house, the occupants heard that Indians were approaching.  They started out to meet the savages, but not meeting them, they continued to advance until the Indian village was reached, when they proceeded to burn the village.  In the meantime the Indians returned and a fight ensued, in which the leading Indian warrior was killed by MR. SMITH.  The whites then retreated, followed by the Indians, but succeeded in reaching the block-house in safety.

PETER B. SMITH, the subject of this sketch, was four or five years old when his parents removed to Lewisville, Henry County, Indiana, and here he was reared until sixteen years of age, when his mother died.  After her death the father removed with his family to Ohio.  PETER B. made his home in Ohio until 1837, when he came to Tippecanoe County and settled near Battle Ground, where he lived several years.  He then spent a number of years in Carroll County, and in September, 1859, he settled on his present farm in Tippecanoe County, where he has 150 acres of well-improved land, under a good state of cultivation.   MR. SMTIH was first married May 28, 1844, to MISS ELIZABETH GILLAM, of Carroll County, Indiana, and a daughter of THOMAS GILLAM, who was one of the prominent pioneers of that county.  To this union five children were born, of whom three are living--NELSON G., a physician, living in Henry County, Indiana; JOHN THOMAS, also a physician, of Brookston, Indiana, and MARY JANE, wife of JEROME SIMS, of Carroll County.  MRS. ELIZABETH SMITH died in 1855, and December 16, 1858, MR. SMITH was again married to MISS SARAH S. RUSH, a native of Darke County, Ohio, and to them have been born two children--EDWIN R., principal of the Chauncey school, and ALLEN W., at home.  MRS. SMITH is a daughter of MOSES and MARGARET (AKER) RUSH, pioneers of Tippecanoe County, settling in Tippecanoe Township, on the farm now occupied by our subject, in 1831.  Here they lived until their death, MRS. RUSH dying in 1849, and her husband in 1856.  They were the parents of nine children, of whom but two are living at the present time--MRS. SARAH S. SMTIH, and EDWIN B., of Battle Ground.   In politics MOSES RUSH was a Democrat.  He was a prominent man in his township, and held the office of justice of the peace for many years.   He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and served as class-leader a number of years.  MR. SMTIH is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in his political views he affiliates with the Democratic party.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 530-531
Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

Biographies Index

Tippecanoe County, INGenWeb Project

Indiana Biographies Project