manfully a soldier's part. Since his return to civil life his career has been no less honorable than that as a soldier. He has made merchandising the chief occupation of his life and there are none who are more popular as a merchant than he. Genial and courteous he has hosts of friends and has been a successful tradesman. He has lived in Clinton since 1875, and has one of the most complete and well stocked stores in the city. He was married in October, 1866, to Laura N. Nebeker, a native of Helt Township, born April 23, 1843, a daughter of Hon. Aquila Nebeker. They have two children -- Annie and Dana. In politics Mr. Washburn is a staunch supporter of the principles of the Republican party.
WILLIAM L. PORTER, county treasurer of Vermillion County, is a worthy representative of one of the pioneer families of the county, his grandfather, John Porter, having settled in Clinton Township as early as 1821. He was a native of the State of New York, where he was reared and married, coming directly from that State to Vermillion County, and in an early day was an associate judge of the county. Charles Porter, the father of our subject, was but four years old when brought by his parents to Vermillion County. He grew to manhood in Clinton Township, and was married to Miss Annie Morris, her father, Samuel Morris, being one of the pioneers of the county. They were the parents of ten children, four sons and six daughters, all living but one daughter, and are residents of Vermillion County. Charles Porter died in 1878 his wife having died four years previous. William L. Porter, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Vermillion County, born in Clinton Township in the year 1848. His father being a farmer he was reared on the farm but subsequently learned the trade of a carpenter, and his general occupation has been that of a carpenter and bridge builder. He has met with success in all his undertakings, and is now the owner of a fine farm in Clinton Township. For his wife he married Miss Susan E. Clark, who was born in Clinton Township, Vermillion County, a daughter of James Clark. Mrs. Porter died March 15, 1886, leaving three children -- John W., Essie E. and Byron E. In his political views Mr. Porter affiliates with the Republican party, casting his first presidential vote for U.S. Grant in 1872. In the fall of 1884 he was elected to the office of county treasurer as successor to Henry Peters, and in the fall of 1886 he was re-elected, and has proved himself to be an efficient and trustworthy official in all respects, and by his honorable dealings he has gained the confidence and respect of the entire community.
LUCIEN R. WHIPPLE, patent right agent, Eugene, was born in Licking County, Ohio, February 6, 1834, a son of Enoch Whipple who was a native of Vermont, and a son of Amiah Whipple. The latter was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and a brother of William and Abraham Whipple, the former a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and the latter a soldier in the war of the Revolution. Lucien R. Whipple, the subject of this sketch, was brought by his parents to Logansport, Indiana, in 1839, and to this county in 1840, in which year they settled in Eugene. In 1856 he went to Vinton, Iowa, returning to this county in 1860. He enlisted in the late civil war in Company K, Seventy-first Indiana
Infantry, afterward known as the Sixth Cavalry, and while in the service participated in twenty-nine engagements, including the battles of Richmond, Nashville, Stoneman Raid, Murfreesboro, Buzzard Roost, Resaca and Allatoona Pass. He was captured by Morgan's men, but soon after paroled and exchanged. Mr. Whipple was married October 16, 1856, to Miss Sarah Sheward, a daughter of Ezekiel Sheward, and to them were born six children, four of whom are yet living -- James E., Edward G., Frank M. and Mrs. Anna M. Fultz. In politics Mr. Whipple affiliates with the Republican party. Mrs. Whipple is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
CHARLES B. KNOWLES, one of the substantial citizens of Clinton, has been actively identified with the interests of that city since 1860, in which year he and his brother, James E. Knowles, established their residence there. Each own and occupy a very fine residence in the same neighborhood, and together are owners of valuable city property and real estate, beside 320 acres outside the city. Charles B. Knowles was born in Vanderburg County, Indiana, on the parental homestead, eight miles north of Evansville, January 11, 1827, the eldest son of Charles and Mary Ann (Maidlow) Knowles, who were of English birth, the father born in Kent, England, December 14, 1801, and the mother born in Hampshire. The ancestors of the Knowles family came from Normandy with William the Conqueror, and fought at the battle of Hastings. Charles Knowles, the grandfather of our subject, came from England, and settled with his family in Vanderburg County, Indiana, in 1817. He died in 1835. His widow survived him several years and died in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, at the home of her daughter Mrs. Joseph Woodwell. The maternal grandfather of our subject, James Maidlow, left England with his family, and settled in Vanderburg County shortly after the war of 1812, where he died in March, 1852, in his eighty-eighth year. Charles Knowles and Mary Ann Maidlow were married in Vanderburg County, where they passed the remainder of their life, and there reared to maturity a family of eight children. The first death in the family was that of their son, Edmund M. He was born April 29, 1837, and during the war of the Rebellion, he was a Lieutenant in the Forty-second Indiana Infantry, and engaged under General Granger at the battle of Chickamauga. He was taken prisoner and confined in Libby Prison, later under fire at Charleston and still later at Columbia, South Carolina, where he made his escape. He was recaptured stripped of his uniform, taken out of prison, and shot to death. The parents of our subject began life in Vanderburg County in limited circumstances, but by industry and good management they acquired a good property, and by fair and honorable dealings gained the confidence and respect of all who knew them. The father was liberal in his religious views but the mother was a member of the Episcopal church. Charles B. Knowles, the subject of this sketch, was reared to manhood on his father's farm, and the habits of industry and economy learned in his youth have guided him in later years. Leaving the old home at the age of twenty-one years he went south, and mastered the art of printing, commencing at Carrolton, Mississippi, as compositor. He spent eight years in southern cities and towns, finding employment in New Orleans, Natchez, Little Rock, and other places. In 1853 he published a paper at Arkadelphia, Arkansas. His last work at his