JAMES WARREN JEFFERSON is the son of JOHN W. and ELIZABETH JEFFERSON, nee LYNCH.  He was born in Sussex County, Del., December 14, 1847.  The father, a farmer and live stock dealer, moved with his family to St. Clair County, Ill. in 1851, and died in June of the following year.  At his death, his property all went to pay his debts, leaving his family destitute.  The wife had borne her husband three children--JAMES W., SAMUEL M., and MARY A.; the latter an infant at the time of the father's decease.  The mother was a woman of unusual ability and good sense.  Strongly pressed, after the death of her husband, to commit her children to the care of those supposed to be better able to take care of them, she determined to keep them, and to labor for their education and support.  No one not living in one of the then frontier States can form an idea of the magnitude of the work she so nobly undertook and so faithfully carried out.  In the sublimest sense of the word, "by the sweat of her brow," she earned the bread for the sustenance of her children.  When the father died, no one was poorer in money or property: but she was rich in judgment, energy and honesty.  By the labor of her own hands she fed her babes, and as they grew older, taught them, by precept and example, that key-note to success--work--honest, patient and faithful work.  As a reward for her watchful care and labor, she lived to see each of her children grow up strong and healthy, morally, physically and intellectually, and enter and pass through their academic and college studies, the acknowledged leaders of their respective classes; to leave those classic halls, fully qualified to take up their chosen life work.  MARY A., the youngest, to teach the children of other women the lessons to be learned in the graded schools of our enlightened and beneficent public school system; SAMUEL M., to preach the Gospel as God had given him the intellect to comprehend, and the eloquence to unfold; and JAMES W., the eldest, the practice of law--that profession than which no other offers to man a better opportunity to develop his manhood; that intellectual field fill with quagmires and quicksands, with moral wrecks of men tempted and fallen; that field in which the brightest genius of the world has shone where the greatest and best men of all ages have given their services, that the guilty might be punished and the innocent vindicated; that wrong and crime and oppression might be put down, and right and law and justice lifted up.  She lived to see the children born in penury, and raised from poverty by her hand, grown to manhood and womanhood, fully qualified and well prepared to take their place in the great struggle of life.  Her work was done!  With a smile on her face, she died, December 30, 1877, aged 58 years.

JAMES W. entered the common school at the age of 6 years, and was an apt pupil and faithful student.  He evinced great delight in his studies, especially mathematics, in which he acquired unusual proficiency.  Throughout his experience, in the common schools or in college, he never found a problem that he could not solve, and in that branch of his studies never recited an imperfect lesson.  After finishing his studies in the High School, he went on the farm, where by his labor, he assisted his mother in the support of her family.  Later, he became Assistant Inspector and Contractor of Forage for the Government, and subsequently engaged as traveling salesman for a wholesale firm in St. Louis.

He has traveled in every State, and has been in nearly all the larger cities east of the Rocky Mountains.  In 1867, he made a trip through the chain of lakes from Buffalo to Duluth; and he has followed the Missouri and Mississippi from Fort Benton and Lake Ithaca to the delta.  He has visited the fashionable watering places of the East, and stood on the famous "Beach" at Galveston.  He has drank at the sparkling springs of Minnesota, and tasted the brackish waters of the Brazos.  From the summit of Bunker Hill, he has viewed the crooked streets of cultured Boston, and from the hills of Colorado looked down upon the uncultivated homes of the untutored savage.

From boyhood his mind was made up to be a lawyer, and while traveling from town to town, in his own room at the hotel, until late at night, and at all other times, when he could steal a moment from his business, he read borrowed books, and laid the foundation for his legal education.

In 1871, he entered Indiana State University, and in 1874, completed the scientific course, standing at the head of his class.  While at the University, he had command of the drill corps of the college.  He is a thorough tactician, and a proficient civil and military engineer.  He was admitted to the practice of law in June 1874, and in the following August, moved to Lafayette, and formed a partnership with William H. Bryan, which was dissolved July 1, 1875, when he engaged in the practice alone.  Hard work and close attention to business soon won for him a success almost unparalleled.  Without money, influence or friends, a stranger in a strange place, he came to LaFayette, not four years ago; yet by his energy, and the zeal  with which he has guarded the interests of his clients, he has built up a practice, from which he now enjoys an income sufficient for all his wants.  In 1876, MR. JEFFERSON organized and took command of the LaFayette Guards--the oldest military company now in the service of the State.  He resigned his command July 13, 1877.

CAPT. JEFFERSON devotes much of his time to commercial settlements, and to real estate law.  He is a hard worker and a close student; and, although young, as an attorney his success is fully demonstrated, and he occupies a prominent place among the leading lawyers of the State.

Combination Atlas Map of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pg. 36
Kingman Brothers, 1878

Volunteer: Adina Watkins Dyer

DAVID H. GREGORY, Sheffield Township

DAVID GREGORY, the father of the gentleman whose name appears above, was a native of Virginia.  During his residence in that State he married MISS MARGARET WARWICK, also a native Virginian.  Shortly after his marriage, he moved with his wife to Kentucky, and became identified with the early settlement of that  State.  They were members of the colony that followed the renowned Col. Daniel Boone, and formed the "Boone Settlement."   Some years later, while still residing there, he purchased 420 acres on the Big Miami River, in Butler County, Ohio, but was deterred from locating upon his newly purchased farm by the hostility of the Indians surrounding it.  A treat of peace was finally effected, and he moved his family to that point on a keel-boat, pushed up river by means of long poles.

During his residence at this point, the noted "Mad Anthony Wayne" was a frequent guest at his cabin, on his route from Fort Greenville to Hamilton; and in the labor of felling trees MR. GREGORY often received valuable assistance form a squad of Gen. Wayne's soldiers.  He decided to make this settlement permanent, and with this view continued steadily to improve his farm.  Here he reared a family of two sons and four daughters, all of whom arrived at maturity, but of whom only DAVID H. and MARGARET now survive.  Their names were WILLIAM, MARY, MARGARET, ANNIE, NANCY and DAVID H.

The latter, who is a subject of this sketch, was born in Butler County, Ohio, on the 30th day of January, 1801.  At the age of eighteen months, he was left an orphan by the death of his father; and as soon as his strength became sufficient for the task, he gave his time to the support of his mother by working on the farm.  Before he was 21 years old, she too, was called away by death.  Shortly after her decease, DAVID, with his brother-in-law JESSE WILSON, took a contract for digging a section of the Miami Canal, performing their labor to the entire satisfaction of the Company.

At the age of 24 years he married MISS MARIA WILSON, a native of Virginia.  Three years after his marriage, he conceived a desire to move further west, and accordingly started with his wife on a journey to Indiana.  To this point his cousins and his brother WILLIAM had preceded him, and through their kind forethought a comfortable cabin was ready to receive the weary immigrants at the end of their tedious journey.  This cabin was located in the central part of the present town of Dayton, although the name of Dayton had not then been given to the town.  Being the proprietor of a large tract of land, adjacent to the towns of Marquis and Fairfield, he divided a large portion of it into the town lots, and the three towns were united under the name of Dayton.  This name was conferred by MR. GREGORY, in memory of Dayton, Ohio.  Here, after clearing a large tract of land, he entered upon the life of a farmer, happy in the enjoyment of a quiet little home.  Six children crowned the happiness of his married life, named, respectively, MARY A., WILLIAM, ALFRED, NANCY, CYNTHIA A. and MARGARET, of whom all are deceased, save ALFRED and NANCY.  On the 31st day of May, 1872, death again entered his family, choosing for its victim the faithful wife.

For a period of fifty years, MR. GREGORY has been a resident of Sheffield Township, having entered upon his residence here in 1828, at a time when but few families had found their way to this point, and when it frequently became necessary for those living here to unite in defense of their poultry or pigs against the ravages of the wolves and foxes.  He has witnessed the various stages of progress through which his township has passed, and in these improvements he has been an active participant, always contributing liberally toward the advancement of enterprises calculated to promote the interests of his township.  Until the election of James Buchanan, he acted and voted with the Democratic party, but during his administration his political principles became changed, and he has since supported the Republican party.

The infirmities of age have made themselves apparent in his heretofore vigorous constitution, and for several years he has lived a life of quiet repose among his grandchildren.  In his religious views he is a Universalist, having been converted to that faith at the age of 17 years.  He is a diligent student of the Scriptures, and has learned the great lessons of charity, so essential to a Christian life.

Combination Atlas Map of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pg. 49
Kingman Brothers, 1878

Volunteer: Adina Watkins Dyer

WELLS H. SHEARER, Tippecanoe Township

MR. SHEARER was born in Geneseo, Livingston Co., N.Y., April 5, 1838.  In the next years, he came with is parents to Tippecanoe County, where he has since continued to reside.  He adopted the pursuit of farming as his vocation in life, having been trained to that occupation by his father.  Up to the beginning of the late civil war, he was quietly engaged in the pursuit of this occupation; but when it became evident that the nation's honor demanded armed assistance, he was among the first to volunteer in defense of the union  He enlisted in the First Regiment Western Sharpshooters September 18, 1861.  he has preserved a record f the engagements in which he participated, and, by his request, it is hereby reproduced: The battle of Mount Zion, Mo., December 18, 1861; Fort Henry Tenn., February 8, 1862; Fort Donelson, Tenn., February 14, 1862; Pittsburg Landing, April 6 and 7, 1862; the siege of Corinth, May 30, 1862; battle of Corinth, October 3 and 4, 1862; Resaca, May 9, 1864; Dallas, May 28, 1864; Kenesaw, June 27, 1864; near Marietta, Ga., July 4, 1864; east of Atlanta, July 22, 1864; Lickskillet, July 28, 1864; Joneboro, September 1, 1864; Lovejoy's, September 2, 1864; Savannah, December 8, 1864; Bentonville, N.C., March, 1865.

At the expiration of his first term, he re-enlisted as a veteran, on the 25th day of December 1863, continuing in active service until the close of the war, when he was mustered out, on the 7th day of July 1865, at Camp Butler, Ill.  During his sojourn at that place, he formed the acquainted of MISS MARY WHEELAND, who became his wife on the 28th day of September 1865.  This union has been blessed by three children--BRUCE, CHARLEY and KATIE, all of whom are now living.

Since his return from the army, MR. SHEARER has been constantly engaged in farming and stock growing, in which he has been very successful.

Combination Atlas Map of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pg. 44
Kingman Brothers, 1878

Volunteer: Adina Watkins Dyer

HENRY ELY, deceased, was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, December 18, 1797, a son of HENRY and ANN MARIA (APPLE) ELY, who were natives of Germany.  His mother died when he was a lad of nine years, and his father subsequently married again.  Unable to endure the treatment of his stepmother, he left his home, and soon made his way into Ohio, and in 1825 he left that State for Tippecanoe County, Indiana.  The following year he married MISS MARY ISLEY, who was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, July 9, 1810, a daughter of DANIEL ISLEY, with whom MR.ELY came to Indiana.  He shortly after settled on a heavily timbered quarter section of land in Fairfield Township, which he improved and lived on until his death, which occurred of heart disease, May 7, 1864.  He was a man highly esteemed throughout the community in which he lived, and was ever noted for honesty and uprightness of character.  In early life he was a member of the Lutheran church, but on coming to this county he found no church of his choice, and became connected with the United Brethren, and later became a member of the Christian church, and died in that faith.  MRS. ELY died July 10, 1887, of paralysis, after a lingering illness.  Both MR. and MRS. ELY will long be remembered for their Christian and benevolent virtues.  Of their eleven children ten are still living, eight being residents of Tippecanoe County.  The names
of their children are as follows: JOHN, CATHERINE, PHILIP, HENRY, MARY ANN, SARAH ABIGAIL, SUSAN, DANIEL, JONAS, MARIA JANE, and JACOB E.   DANIEL ISLEY, the father of MRS. ELY, was born in one of the Carolinas, of English parentage, but reared in Tennessee.  He was married in Ohio, to CATHERINE SCHNEPP, a lady of German ancestry, and in the fall of 1825 settled in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.

DANIEL ELY, son of HENRY ELY, is one of the substantial men of Fairfield Township, and one of its most respected citizens.  He was born on the old homestead of his father, where he has always lived, the date of his birth being September 28, 1844.  He was united in marriage to MISS LETITIA DUMM, a native of Ohio, born in Ross County, November 5, 1847, and to them have been born six children, of whom five yet survive:  JACOB S., MILES W., ANNA MAY, SARAH E., and GRACE G.  A daughter named MARY C. died aged six months.  JOHN DUMM, the father of MRS. DANIEL ELY, was a native of Pennsylvania, but reared from his twelfth year in Ohio, and was married in that State to SARAH McCABE.  They came to Tippecanoe County, Indiana, about 1852, and settled in Perry Township, living there until their death.  MR. DUMM was a Lutheran in his religious faith, his wife being a member of the United Brethren church.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 385-386
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

 Volunteer: Adina Watkins Dyer

W. P. WILES, an active and enterprising citizen of Shelby, engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 17, was born in Fayette County, Indiana, March 15, 1841, a son of JOHN H. WILES, who was one of the prominent pioneers and merchants of Montmorency, Indiana.  JOHN H. WILES was born and reared in Brown County, Ohio, and when a young man removed to Fayette County, Indiana, where he was married to SARAH PUNTENNEY, who was born in Adams County, Ohio, a daughter of WILLIAM and LYDIA PUNTENNEY, with whom she came to Fayette County in an early day.   JOHN H. WILES remained in Fayette County until the fall of 1855, when he came with his family to Tippecanoe County, where he has since made his home.   W. P. WILES, the subject of this sketch, was reared a farmer, a vocation he has followed the greater part of his life, and his education was received in the common schools of his neighborhood.  He was mustered in the war of the Rebellion July 22, 1861, and was assigned to Company G, Twentieth Indiana Infantry, and took an active part in a number of hard-fought engagements, including the battle of Fair Oaks, all the battles in front of Richmond, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Locust Grove, Gold Mine Run, battle of the Wilderness, and was with his regiment in New York City, quelling the mobs and riots there.  He was confined in hospital for a time on account of sickness, and later he was wounded by a minie ball in the right thigh, and was sent to hospital at Washington, D.C., and was also in the hospital at West Philadelphia.   He received an honorable discharge July 22, 1864, but was unable to return home until the following August.  March 1, 1866, he was united in marriage to MISS MARY A. FEELY, who was born and reared in Shelby Township, Tippecanoe County, a daughter of JOHN W. and SUSAN A. FEELY.  Her parents were among the early settlers of this county, coming here from Brown County, Ohio, in 1843, where both died.  MR. and MRS. WILES have two children living, BERTHA L., born June 27, 1874, and JOHN E., born September 27, 1884.  Politicially MR. WILES is a Republican, and is a strong adherent of the principles of that party.  He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Otterbein Post, No. 277, and is a member of Octagon Lodge, A.F & A.M, in which he served as Master during 1885 and 1886.  He is a member of Fair Haven United Brethren Church, and has served as class leader and trustee of the same.  He is always interested in the advancement of education and religion, and every worthy enterprise has his encouragement and support.  Cordial in manners and fair and honorable in all business transactions, he has gained the confidence and respect of all who know him.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pg. 387
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

 Volunteer: Adina Watkins Dyer

JACOB DAVIS, an active and enterprising citizen of Lauramie Township, was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1837, a son of DANIEL DAVIS, a native of Sullivan County, Indiana, who is now deceased.  Our subject was reared on the home farm, and in his boyhood attended the schools of this neighborhood, where he received a common-school education.  He learned the carpenter's trade when a young man, which he has since followed much of the time.  He was married October 7, 1860, to MISS SARAH BRYANT, a daughter of ABSALOM BRYANT, deceased.  Six of the eight children born to this union are living, their names being as follows--JEPHTHA, DANIEL, CHARLES, WILLIAM, PERRY, and ETTIE.  Two daughters died in early childhood.

MR. DAVIS located in Montgomery County, Indiana, April 17, 1862, and settled in Sugar Creek Township; his present home is on section 31, Lauramie Township, Tippecanoe County, to which he removed in the spring of 1883, being just across the line.  He has a fine farm of 160 acres, well improved and under good cultivation, where he resides, engaged in farming and stock-raising, and is classed among the substantial farmers of his township. In connection with his agricultural pursuits he yet devotes some time to his trade.  He is a member of the Odd Fellows order.  He is at present postmaster of the B. postoffice.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pg. 556
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

 Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

JOHN RAWLES, of Wabash Township, a son of JOHN and SARAH RAWLES, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, January 17, 1813, and there he was reared in the usual manner of farmer boys, working during the summer season and  attending the district school of his neighborhood during the winter.  in 1830 he came with his parents to Tippecanoe County, Indiana, where the father purchased 320 acres of land, a portion of which was prairie.   Some years later JOHN purchased this farm, together with another tract of eighty acres which his father had previously entered.  The father continuted to reside on the homestead until his death, which occurred in 1839.  Since purchasing the home farm, MR. RAWLES has made successive additions of land, and at one time owned nearly 1,000 acres.  He has since sold part of his land, and given to his children, yet he has sufficient to keep him in comfortable circumstances the remainder of his days.

MR. RAWLES was married in 1834 to MISS MATILDA NEWELL, daughter of WILLIAM and ANN NEWELL, of Warren County, Indiana, and to this union eleven children were born--LYCURGUS (deceased), ZELINA (deceased), WILLIAM N., MARCELLUS, DAVID, SARAH ANN (deceased), JOHN (deceased), MARY ANN, JOSEPH P., EDWIN and GEORGE II.  During the late civil war, WILLIAM, MARCELLUS and DAVID entered the Federal service, and through a period of three years assisted in maintaining the Union cause.  JOHN, then a lad of fourteen years, also entered into the service, serving one hundred days.

Having been reared on a farm, MR. RAWLES adopted the occupation of farming as his life work, becoming a thorough, practical agriculturist, and as a dealer in fine stock he has been very successful.  MRS. RAWLES died in August, 1885.  Although seventy-five years of age, MR. RAWLES is still hale and active, and bids fair to spend many years in the enjoyment of the accumulations of his former years of toil.   In politics MR. RAWLES was formerly a Whig, but has been a Republican since the organization of that party.  In 1856 he was elected county commissioner, holding that office six consecutive years, and during his term of office the famous artesian well in the public square was dug, and through the instrumentality of the board of commissioners, of which he was a member, a residence was erected on the county infirmary farm for the superintendent.   Since 1843 MR. RAWLES has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has led a consistent Christian life.  The manly integrity of his character, which has been manifested throughout a long and useful life, has drawn around him many friends, and none stand higher in the estimation of his fellow-citizens.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pg. 553
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

 Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

ORSON KERR, a prosperous and highly respected farmer of Tippecanoe County, is a Pennsylvanian by birth, born April 19, 1805, a son of SAMUEL KERR, deceased.  He was reared a farmer, which occupation he has followed principally through life, and his education was obtained in the pioneer schools of Franklin County, Ohio, to which county his parents removed when he was a boy.  He came to Indiana in 1827, settling in Fountain County, this State, where he was married December 28, 1828, to MISS CYNTHIA CLAWSON, a daughter of THOMAS CLAWSON, who was one of the old and honored pioneers of Fountain County.  Of the eight children born to this union only four are living, named as follows: SOPHIA, JOHN, TIMOTHY, and THOMAS.  Two daughters, named SARAH and JANE, died after reaching maturity, the latter leaving a child named LISLIE OREAN.  MR. KERR became a resident of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, in 1835, in which year he settled on his present farm on section 22, Jackson Township.  By industry and good management he has succeeded well in his agricultural pursuits, and after selling some land and giving 120 acres to his children, he still has 300 acres, his land being well improved and under cultivation.  He was bereaved by the death of his wife in 1875, who had shared with him the vicissitudes of life for nearly fifty years.  She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a consistent Christian.  MR. KERR has been a member of the same church for the past fifty years.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 387-388
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

 Volunteer: Adina Watkins Dyer

WILLIAM W. SMITH, the present treasurer of Tippecanoe County, was born in Clarke County, Ohio, west of Springfield, July 7, 1835, a son of ABRAHAM and ELIZABETH SMITH.  Abraham Smith was born near Milledgeville, Georgia, and when three or four years of age removed with their family to Ohio, passing through Cincinnati when that now prosperous city was called Fort Washington, and was then under the command of General Harrison.  This was about the year 1790.  They first settled four miles above the present site of Cincinnati, and soon after went up the Mad River to Clarke County, and entered land right in the wilderness, being among the pioneers of that county, where they spent the remainder of their life.  ABRAHAM, the father of our subject, was reared in Clarke County amid the scenes of pioneer life, and was there married to ELIZABETH ULLERY,  a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, whose parents were of Pennsylvania Dutch descent, they coming from Pennsylvania, and settling in Pickaway County, Ohio, among the early settlers.  ABRAHAM lost his wife by death in 1839, and in 1845 he removed to Lawrence County, Illinois, making his home in that county until his death, which occurred in 1872.

WILLIAM W. SMITH, the subject of this sketch, accompanied his father to Lawrence County, Illinois, being then a lad of ten years.  His father being a farmer he was reared to the same vocation, assisting his father on the home farm until 1855.  In the spring of that year he went to Cass County, Indiana, where he worked during the summer, and in the fall of the same year came to Tippecanoe County, Indiana.  He received a fair education while living in Ohio and Illinois, and for a number of terms
taught school.  After coming to this county he worked out by the month for some time and subsequently both a meat market which he conducted four or five years.  In 1863 he bought a farm in Union Township, to which he removed in June of that year, and there followed agricultural pursuits until assuming the duties of his present office.  He was nominated to this office by the Republican party, being elected in November, 1885, and September 1, of the same years he removed to LaFayette, where he has since made his home, though he still retains his farm in Union Township.

MR. SMITH was married at New Carlisle, Ohio, June 1, 1859, to MISS MELISSA B. JOHNSON, a native of Clarke County, Ohio, and a daughter of JAMES and MARY (BURGESS) JOHNSON.  Her father was an early settler of Clarke County, and a paper manufacturer at Springfield for many years, but at the time of his death, in 1840, he lived on his farm.  His widow survived him many years, dying about 1875.  MR. and MRS. SMITH are the parents of four children:
MARCELLUS L., residing in Ramsey County, Dakota; CARRIE B., wife of ADAM WALLACE, of LaFayette; WERDIE P. and DELOS M.  The Smith family have always affiliated with the Whig and Republican parties in their political views.  MR. SMITH, our subject, has always been a Republican.  He is a member of the Odd Fellows order and has passed all the chairs in Tippecanoe Lodge, No. 55.  He is also a member of the Royal Areanum.  MR. SMITH and his family are members of
the Methodist church.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 473-474
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

 Volunteer: Adina Watkins Dyer

GEORGE W. KIRKPATRICK, one of the pioneers of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, was raised in Ohio.  His parents, SAMUEL and RUTH (WIER) KIRKPATRICK, removed from Kentucky to Ohio in an early day and settled in Ross County.  They reared a family of five sons and two daughters.   GEORGE W., their third son, was married in 1821 to CATHERINE, daughter of WILLIAM and MARGARET (CLINTON) PORTER, who were natives of  Ireland. Six years later he removed by team to Indiana, and purchased land from the Government in Sheffield Township, Tippecanoe County, improved and remained on the same until 1843.  He then removed to Wea Township, where he resided until his death, August 21, 1865.  He was of Scotch ancestry. In his political views he was formerly a Whig, but became identified with the Republican party in 1856.  His wife die November 30, 1878.   They reared to mature years a family of five sons and two daughters.   PORTER, the eldest, was born in Ross County, Ohio, August 11, 1822; was reared in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, as a farmer, in which vocation he was very successful; served as justice of the peace a number of years; was married to ROSELLA McCLAIN in 1858; died November 15, 1878, leaving a wife, one son and two daughters.  SAMUEL, the second son, was born in Ross County, Ohio, December 23, 1824; reared in Tippecanoe County, Indiana; was married in 1845 to LOUISA HEATON; was treasurer of Tippecanoe County, warden of the Northern Indiana State prison, Lieutenant Colonel of the Seventy-second Indiana Regiment; died May 4, 1874, leaving a wife, who has since died, and five sons.  JAMES N. KIRKPATRICK, was born in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, December 1, 1832; was Captain of Company A, Fortieth Indiana Infantry during the war of the Rebellion; was promoted Lieutenant Colonel of the same regiment at Shiloh, and lost his life by drowning, while crossing a stream in the State of Mississippi, June 8, 1862.  GEORGE W. KIRKPATICK, Jr., was born May 21, 1835, in Tippecanoe County, Indiana; enlisted as Assistant Surgeon in the Seventy-second Indiana Regiment, remaining with the regiment until the close of the war, when he returned to Wea Township and engaged in the practice of medicine at Culver; was married September 6, 1866, to LOVENA E. DeHART, daughter of ABNER and MARGARET (TROTTER) DeHART.  They are the parents of two sons--JAMES N. and MILO D. MARGARET A. KIRKPATRICK was born June 17, 1838; married to JOHN WATERS in 1858, died May 26, 1863, leaving one child--GEORGE EVERETT WATERS.  ELIZA C. KIRKPATRICK was born in 1841, and married JEFFERSON TROTTER in 1879.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 561-562
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

 Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

SAMUEL ELLIOTT, one of the old and honored pioneers of Sheffield Township, who is now deceased, came to Tippecanoe County as early as 1829, and the same year settled in this township.  Here he made his home until 1874, experiencing many of the hardships and privations which usually fall to the lot of the early settler.  He was born in the State of Pennsylvania, and was there reared, and married to MISS REBECCA KELLY, and to them were born three children two of whom died in childhood, and one son, CHARLES, died in the service of his country during the late war.  He was Captain of Company A, Fortieth Indiana Infantry, and was killed at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain.

MR. ELLIOTT was a second time married to MISS MARY WILSON, who died in 1844, leaving one son, now the REV. SAMUEL WILSON ELLIOTT, of West Union, Ohio.  MR. ELLIOTT was again married to MISS MARY SHIELDS, of New Albany, Indiana, who survived her husband a number of years, dying in September 1884.  MR. ELLIOTT removed from Sheffield Township in 1867 and settled in La Fayette, this county, where he resided until his death, in October, 1874.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 540-541
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

 Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

JOSEPH H. ANDERSON, M.D., the only practicing physician of Colburn, is a native of Ohio, born in Guernsey County, November 15, 1838, his father THOMAS ANDERSON, being a native of Pennsylvania, and of English origin.   The great-grandfather of our subject, MYRON ANDERSON, was an English sea Captain.  He took his son GEORGE to sea with him, visiting the port of New York, where the son left the vessel and became a resident of America.  He finally settled in Washington County, Pennsylvania, where his son THOMAS, the father of our subject, was born.  THOMAS ANDERSON went to Ohio, where he was married to SOPHIA STEVENS, and made his home in Guernsey County until his death, which occurred at the home of his son, January 26, 1866.  The mother of the doctor still survives her husband, being now in her eighty-third year.  THOMAS ANDERSON and wife had ten children, five of whom are living at the present time.

DR. ANDERSON, the subject of this sketch, was reared on his father's farm, and received his education in the schools of Guernsey County.  He began the study of medicine when about twenty-one years of age, and had taken a course of lectures before enlisting in the service of his country during the late war.  He had been to Washington Territory, and on his return he enlisted, August 2, 1862, in Company D, Fortieth Iowa Infantry.  He served a few months as private and Hospital Steward, when he was promoted to the medical staff of the First Iowa Cavalry, serving with that regiment until the close of the war, and gaining valuable experience.  He then returned to Guernsey County, but soon after removed to Allen County, Indiana, locating near Fort Wayne, but after practicing a short time he was obliged to discontinue on account of trouble with his eyes, which had become seriously impaired while in the army.  He then engaged in teaching, following that profession two years.  In the winter of 1868-69 he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, to have his eyes treated, and at the same time attended medical lectures, graduating in the spring of 1869.  In September 1869, he came to Colburn, Tippecanoe County, and has since been continuously in the practice of medicine with the exception of the time he spent as a member of the Legislature, having served one term in that body, and during his residence here has built up a successful and extensive practice.

The doctor was united in marriage, January 2, 1862, to MISS MARGARET M. MORTON, a daughter of WILLIAM MORTON, who was a cousin of the great war Governor of Indiana.  To this union two daughters were born, of whom only one is living--LYDIA C., who was born in 1867.  BERTHA M. died in 1878, aged eight years.  In his political views the doctor is a Republican.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 395-396.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

 Volunteer: Adina Watkins Dyer

JOHN HANLEY, one of the leading business men of Chauncey, and senior member of the milling firm of Hanley & Fuller, is a native of Ireland, born in County Limerick, May 4, 1826, his parents, THOMAS and MARY (HAIR) HANLEY, being natives of the same country.  They came to America in 1826, when the subject of this sketch was but a month old, and first settled at Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and a short time later removed to the city of New York, where they made their home until 1835.  They then spent about one year in Lockport, New York, when they immigrated to Fort Wayne, Indiana, coming across the lake to Detroit, and from there to the Maumee River by keel boats.  They landed in Fort Wayne in the spring of 1836, when that now prosperous city was a mere hamlet, principally inhabited by Indians, and the old fort still standing.  Here the parents remained until their death, the father dying in 1856, and the mother in 1847.  The father was a farmer by occupation, and laid out a farm in the wilderness of Allen County.

JOHN HANLEY, whose name heads this sketch, remained with his parents until reaching the age of sixteen years, when he went to Jasper County, Indiana, and began breaking prairie ground, using two teams, each drawn by five yoke of oxen.  He was thus engaged about three years, when he went on Government land, and broke up about half a section, on which he raised corn and wheat, hauling the same to Michigan City, where he received for it about 50 cents a bushel.  This was before the days of railroads in that part of the country, and he had to haul his load over very bad roads, and often through swamps.  In the fall of 1844 he selected three yoke of good oxen and went to Montgomery County with the expectation of loading up apples, but not being satisfied with the fruit there he drove to Putnam County, where he bought apples for 25 cents per bushel.  He then started for La Porte, Indiana, and drove through the Kankakee swamp with his load of apples, being three days in crossing the swamp, then continued his journey to LaPorte, arriving there the day of the Whig convention, when Clay and Frelinghysen ran against Polk and Dallas, and there he sold his apples at 25 cents a dozen.

During 1846-47 he was engaged in the grain and general merchandise business at Pittsburg, Indiana, with Colonel Calton.  In 1848 he came to LaFayette, and for two years was associated with Rogers and Reynolds in the grain business.  He then became associated with SAMUEL DANFORTH in the jewelry business, and at the same time he conducted the hotel known as the Burnett House, being thus engaged some two years, when, on account of failing health, he in the spring of 1853 went to Australia, remaining there about three years.  He then returned to LaFayette, with heath entirely restored, and immediately engaged in the manufacture of morocco leather and linings, which he carried on about a year.  In the summer of 1859 he established a grocery on Main street, which he carried on until 1869, when he built a store on Fourth street, south of the Square, where he continued his grocery business for two years.  In the meantime he had started business in Chauncey, building the first business west of the river, and here he carried on his business until 1875, when he sold out and engaged in farming and dealing in stock extensively on the large farm in the county that the still owns.  In the spring of 1881 he became connected with Eagle Mills, of which he has since been a partner.  These are the largest mills in this section of the county, and an extensive business is carried on under the firm name of Hanley & Fuller.  MR. HANLEY was united in marriage, in the fall of 1849, to MISS CATHERINE A. FITZPATRICK, a daughter of JOHN FITZPATRICK.  They are the parents of four children, named as follows--MARY E., CHARLES F., EMMA E., and JOHN G.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana,  pp.393-394
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

 Volunteer: Adina Watkins Dyer

SAMUEL RAMSEY SEAWRIGHT, M.D.

SAMUEL RAMSEY SEAWRIGHT was born in Butler Co., Ohio, on the 28th day of September 1824.  His father, SAMUEL R. SEAWRIGHT, was a native of Pennsylvania, and moved to Butler Co., Ohio, in 1824, where he engaged in business as a wool carder until the year 1830, when he moved to Clinton Co., Ind., locating near the site of the present town of Rossville.  He settled in the timber and improved 160 acres of land.  He abandoned the occupation of wool carder and began farming, which he continued until his death in 1840.

The early advantages of young SEAWRIGHT for obtaining an education were limited, but taking advantage of the opportunities that came within his reach, he obtained a fair education, and in later years he profited by better advantages.  He studied medicine withthe late Dr. DEMING, of LaFayette, and graduated from the Indiana Medical College, La Porte, Ind., in 1850.  In 1860, he attended Rush Medical College, Chicago.  He was licensed to practice and entered upon the eprsectuion of the duties of his profession in 1850, in Morgan Co., Ind.  At the end of a year, he located at Dayton, Ind., and formed a partnership with Dr. D. H. CROUSE, which continued sixteen years.

In March, 1867, he came to LaFayette, where he has since remained, from the outset enjoying a large and successful practice.  Dr. SEAWRIGHT has devoted himself assiduously to his professional duties, and has amassed a comptency by long years of hard work.  To the high professional merit, he adds the virtues of a Christian gentleman, and in every walk of life has proved himself worthy the high esteem in which he is held by all who know him.

Combination Atlas Map of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pg. 39
Kingman Brothers, 1878

Volunteer: Adina Watkins Dyer

JONATHAN STRETCH, Tippecanoe Township

THOMAS STRETCH, the father of this gentleman, was born in Pennsylvania, January 23, 1784.  His father came from Ireland when a mere lad, and for many years was engaged as a school teacher.  THOMAS STRETCH was married to MISS ANTHA MUNGER, a native of Vermont, July 27, 1807.  His son, JONATHAN, with whom we are more directly interested in this sketch, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, November 7, 1817.  From that place, he moved with his parents to Miami County, Ohio, in 1818, thence to Butler County, Ohio, and from that point to Tippecanoe County, Ind., in 1830, with his parents, five brothers and three sisters, of whom all are now deceased, save the subject of this sketch, and one sister, MRS. EMILY GRAVES.

In 1846, MR. STRETCH united in marriage with MISS DELILAH KNIGHT of Carroll County, Ind.  His wife is of Irish descent and was born in Miami County, Ohio, removing to Carroll County, Ind., with her parents, at the age of 7 years remaining a citizen of that county until the date of her marriage.  They have five children living, viz.: FANNIE, FLORA, JESSIE, ETHEL and LOUIS.

From early youth, MR. STRETCH has been engaged in the pursuit of farming.  That he has been successful in his chosen avocation is witnessed by his fine farm and the evidence of comfort by which he is surrounded.  His upright character has not failed to secure him friends among those with whom he has been associated, and his standing in the community is first class.

Combination Atlas Map of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pg. 43
Kingman Brothers, 1878

Volunteer: Adina Watkins Dyer

O. A. KIRKPATRICK, a prominent and intelligent citizen of Wea Township, Tippecanoe County, was born on the old homestead where he now lives, the date of his birth being March 7, 1848.  His parents, W.P. and REBECCA (COMPTON) KIRKPATRICK, were natives of Ohio, the father born in Ross County, a son of MAJOR JAMES KIRKPATRICK, and the mother born in Fayette County, a daughter of GEORGE and SOPHIA (REEVES) COMPTON.  They were married in Fayette County, Ohio, in 1844, and the same day of their marriage started on horse-back for Tippecanoe County, and settled on section 36, Wea Township, where the father died July 24, 1853, leaving a widow with three children, named--SERENA, FLORIDA and O.A., the subject of this sketch.

In his political views he was a Democrat.  He was an active and zealous worker in the Methodist Episcopal church, and was one of the most highly esteemed men and acknowledged to be the greatest financier of the township where he made his home.  O.A. KIRKPATRICK grew to manhood on the home farm, being reared to farm work.  He received his primary education in the district school, which was supplemented by a course of study at Stockwell College and the Northwestern Christian College, now Butler University, at Indianapolis.  At the age of twenty years he went to Champaign County, Illinois, remaining there eighteen months, when he went to Carroll County, Indiana, where he spent nine years.

In 1878 he returned to the old homestead in Wea Township, where he has sixty-three acres of fine land, well improved and under a high state of cultivation.  For twelve years he has followed the teacher's profession with success, and ranks among the popular teachers of the county.  He was united in marriage September 5, 1883, to MISS VIOLA JOHNSON, of Stockwell, a daughter of JOSEPH JOHNSON, a prominent pioneer of Tippecanoe County.  MR. and MRS. KIRKPATRICK have one child, a daughter BESSIE, born September 1, 1884.  Politically MR. KIRKPATRICK affiliates with the Republican party.  He has served Wea Township as assessor, and in 1886 was land appraiser, performing the duties of this office in a very able manner.  He is a man of strict integrity, fair and honorable in all his dealings, and by his cordial manners and genial disposition has made many friends.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pg. 555
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

 Volunteer: Adina Watkins Dyer

MATT SCHNAIBLE, manager of the Wabash Elevator of La Fayette, is a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, born in the year 1853.  In the fall of the same year his parents started for America with their family, the father dying on the ocean.  The remainder of their family landed at New York, where they spent three or four months, then came to La Fayette, Indiana, where they have since resided.  MATT SCHNAIBLE was reared to manhood in La Fayette, receiving his education in the schools of this city.  He was married here to MISS KATIE SATTLER, a daughter of JOHN P. SATTLER, a prominent business man of La Fayette.

The Wabash Elevator was constructed in 1857, about the time of the building of the Wabash Railroad, by the Wabash Company.  It was first operated by JAMES SPEARS, who was succeeded by Morey & Ball, this firm conducting it until 1875.  From 1875 until 1882 it was conducted by I.E. HAVILAND, of Toledo, Ohio, and since the latter year MR. SCHNAIBLE has been a member of the firm of I.E. Haviland & Co.  MR. SCHNAIBLE commenced working about the elevator in 1866, acted as engineer for the firm of Morey & Ball, and since 1876 has held the position of manager.   The amount of grain handled by the elevator has increased from about 5,000 bushels to about 500,000 bushels per annum.  MR. SCHNAIBLE is a member of the German Lutheran church, and is one of the respected citizens of La Fayette.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 555-556
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

BALDWIN MINTONYE, deceased, was a native of Tippecanoe County, born in Wayne, now Union Township, April 21, 1828, a son of PETER and MARTHA (BALDWIN) MINTONYE, who were among the first settlers of Tippecanoe County.  They were the parents of five children, but one of whom is living.  BALDWIN MINTONYE was married August 25, 1850, to TERRESSA HUTSINGER, a native of Ohio, born near Dayton, Montgomery County, January 18, 1834, a daughter of ISAAC and MARY (WOLF) HUTSINGER, her father a native of South Carolina, of Holland descent, and her mother of Ohio, of German descent.  After his marriage MR. MINTONYE settled on eighty acres of land he had previously purchased.  This farm he afterward sold and bought 200 acres to which he subsequently added 100 acres, having at his death a fine farm of 300 acres.  He died September 17, 1883, leaving a large circle of friends to mourn his loss.

He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which denomination his widow also belongs.  In politics he affiliates with the Republican party.  To MR. and MRS. MINTONYE were born ten children--WILLIAM, born December 10, 1851, died December 12, 1879; CHARLES, born January 21, 1854; MARIETTA, born August 5, 1856, died September 24, 1857; MARTHA, born July 20, 1858, is the wife of ASA BURNS; ETTA, born September 14, 1860, is the wife of WILLIAM STRAUBINGER; EDWARD, born December 28, 1862, died August 4, 1864; ALBERT, born June 29, 1865, died June 11, 1886; JENNIE, born November 1, 1867; ROSA MAY, born June 24, 1870; MARY OLIVE, born March 8, 1873.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 554-555
The Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888

 Volunteer: Charlene Saunders

Biographies Index

Tippecanoe County, INGenWeb Project

Indiana Biographies Project