cepts and example of his father, who instilled into the minds of his children the principles of well doing. Politically Mr. Metzger is a Republican, casting his first Presidential vote in 1860 for Abraham Lincoln.
ALEXANDER KINDERMANN, a prominent and skillful physician and surgeon, residing at Eugene, was born December 5, 1858 in Eugene Township, this county, where the town of Cayuga now stands. His father, Gottfried Kindermann, being a farmer, he was reared to the same avocation, and received his education in the common schools of Eugene. He read medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. W. C. Eichelberger, now of Terre Haute, Indiana, and February 21, 1883, he graduated from Rush Medical College, of Chilcago, Illinois, standing at the head of his class. He took special courses in eye and ear, dental surgery and dermatology, and while in college, and also after his graduation he practiced surgery with eminent success. He engaged in the practice of medicine in Eugene, March 14, 1883, and being well versed in the knowledge of his chosen profession he has succeeded in establishing a large and lucrative practice. He is a member of the Alumni of Chicago. Gottfried Kindermann, the father of our subject, resides on section 18, Eugene Township, where he is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He is a native of Prussia, Germany, born March 26, 1826, a son of Hohan Herman Kindermann. He was a soldier in the Prussian army three years and four months, serving through the French Revolution and the Danish war and during that time sent the money he earned to his mother. He was married in his native country in 1855, to Miss Fredricka Heidbreider and to them were born six children, three still living -- Hohan F., of Vermillion Township, married Lena Hahn; Alexander, our subject, and Samuel, married Sally Hahn and has one son named Gottfried. The father came to American in 1856, landing at New York City with but little means, and this was soon used for hotel and railroad accommodations. He soon came to Vermillion County, Indiana, and settled in Eugene Township, where he has since made his home. When he landed in Eugene he was in debt to the amount of $54, and to-day he is the owner of a fine farm of 240 acres, which he has acquired by his own untiring industry and perseverance, and is classed among the successful and most respected citizens of his township. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church.
F. M. Davis, a prominent agriculturist of Vermillion County, engaged in farming, and raising and dealing in stock iin Vermillion Township, is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of the county. He is a son of Benjamin and Ruth (Sears) Davis, his parents being of Scotch and German descent. They came to Vermillion County in 1834, where they made their home until death, the father dying in 1854 at the age of sixty-four years, and the mother in 1869, aged sixty-two years. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom only two are living -- F. M. and Daniel. F. M. Davis is a native of Vermillion County, and the date of his birth being February 10, 1838. He was reared to the avocation of a farmer which he has made his life work. His educational advantages were very limited, but by close observation he acquired a good business education. He being the eldest son, the care
Dr. Alex Kindermann
and responsibility of his mother and her eleven children rested on him after his father's death, and for eighteen years he was the mainstay of the family. He was married in Vermillion County in 1871, to Miss Sarah E. Bennett, who was born on the farm where she now resides, October 9, 1851. Of the eight children born to this union only three are living -- Martha, Ida and Noah. Five died in infancy. Mr. Davis commenced life a poor boy, entirely without capital, and his success has been due to his own efforts, and to-day he is classed among the prosperous men of his township. He is now the owner of a fine farm on section 9, Vermillion Township, containing 152 acres, besides which he owns 100 acres of land in another part of the county. Quiet in manners, and of industrious habits, upright and honorable in all his dealings he has gained the confidence and esteem of all who know him. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a member of the United Brethren church.
JAMES S. ROGERS, an old settler of Vermillion County, was born in Franklin County, Ohio, July 26, 1813, a son of John Rogers, who was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, who came to America in 1789. In 1824 James S. came with his parents to Vermillion County, Indiana, and settled on Helt's Prairie, where he grew to manhood, his youth being spent in assisting his father improve a frontier farm. He learned the wagon maker's trade when a young man, at which he worked about eighteen years. In 1877 he moved to Dana, where for ten years he has been an honored citizen. February 5, 1835, he was married to Margaret Wallace, daughter of William Wallace, an early settler of Vermillion Township. Their only son, John W., is deceased. He married Sarah J. Carmack, daughter of Andrew Carmack, of Vermillion Township. Mrs. Rogers died in 1878. Mr. Rogers is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JACOB ILES, one of the old and respected pioneers of Vermillion County, who is now deceased, was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, May 10, 1791, a son of Henry Iles, who was a native of Germany. His father was a soldier in the United States service during the war of the Revolution. Jacob Iles was a tailor by trade. He left his native State for Ohio, when a young man, and in the winter of 1820-'21, he located at Terre Haute, Indiana. He was married January 1, 1822, to Miss Hannah Stevenson, and to them were born six children, three of whom died in childhood. Those yet living are -- Mrs. Martha J. Naylor, James B. and Jacob H. Mr. Iles entered land in Vermillion County, Indiana, one mile north of Eugene at the first Government land sale here, and later he entered much land in in Illinois. He removed with his family to his land near Eugene in 1829, when Indians and wild animals were numerous, and here they experienced many of the vicissitudes of pioneer life. Mr. Iles died July 29, 1863, his widow surviving until March 23, 1886. They were honored and respected people and beloved by all who knew them.
MATTHEW W. SCOTT, retired farmer, and now residing in the city of Clinton, Vermillion County, Indiana, has been identified with the interests of the county since October 12, 1847, when he es-