fifty-five years, and the mother in 1874, aged sixty-five years. They had a family of two children -- James and Thomas, the former being dead. Thomas J. Nichols was married in 1862 to Ann Jones, who was born in Vermillion County, in 1847, a daughter of Samuel Jones, a pioneer of the county. They have had nine children, six of whom are living -- Bell, lAdaline, Robert, Maria, :Bert and John C. In August, 1862, Mr. Nichols enlisted in Company B, Eighty-fifth Indiana Infantry, and served three years, and participated in many of the hardest fought battles of the war. He was with Sherman from Chattanooga to the sea, and was mustered out at Indianapolis at the close of the war. After his return home he began to work at his trade, which he has since continued. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols are members of the Society of Friends. In politics he casts his suffrage with the National party. Mr. Nichols is a master mechanic and one of the best in the county.
LAWSON L. GOODWIN, farmer, section 18, Helt Township, was born in Carter County, Tennessee, December 22, 1837, a son of Alfred L. Goodwin. He was reared and educated in his native county, attending the common schools and Pine Grove Academy at Taylorville. When twenty-one years old he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked fifteen years. He enlisted in the defense of his country in the war of the Rebellion, and was assigned to Company G, Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry, and participated in the battles at Bull's Gap, Morristown, Carter's Depot, Kingsport, Marion, Saltville and others. He served twenty months, when he was discharged on account of general orders of the war department, and now draws a pension. Mr. Goodwin was married March 3, 1861, to Mary A. E. Dugger, a native of Carter County, Tennessee, a daughter of William C. Dugger. To them have been born ten children, six of whom are living -- Allison S., Frank L., Indiana M., Stella N., Ellsworth and Clindham. Two children died in infancy, and two, Mary E. and William B., when four years of age. Mr. Goodwin came to Vermillion County in 1866, and since lived in Helt Township. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
JOHN FORD was born in Delaware County, Ohio, August 18, 1809, and died at his home on section 10, Helt Township, Vermillion County, May 6, 1882. His father, Augustus Ford, was a native of the State of Virginia. He was one of the earliest pioneers of Vermillion County, coming here when our subject was but a child, when the surrounding country was a wilderness, and inhabited principally by Indians and wild animals. Here he and his family experienced many of the privations and hardships of pioneer life. Their nearest milling place was Shaker Prairie, twenty miles away, and at that time traveling was very difficult, there being no roads but mere Indian trails. John Ford, the subject of this sketch, was reared amid the wild surroundings of life in a new country, and was early inured to hardwork, his youth being spent in assisting his father clear and improve his land. He was married March 24, 1831, to Miss Jane Skidmore, a daughter of John Skidmore, who was among the early pioneers of the county, making his home here in the year 1818. To Mr. and Mrs. Ford eleven children were born,
four of whom are living at the present time -- Albert, Edwin, Mary and Martha. Three sons, Henry Josephus and Leander, died in the army during the war of the Rebellion. Caroline, Elizabeth J., Elijah and Sarah are also deceased. Mr. Ford was a representative citizen of the county and took an active interest in any enterprise which had for its object its growth or advancement. He was a kind and affectionate husband and father, and a devout Christian, having been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Spring Hill for over thirty years. His widow is a member of the same church. She still resides on the old homestead in Helt Township, where she enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know her.
FRANCIS MARION WRIGHT, a native of Vermillion County, Indiana, was born on section 31, Clinton Township, February 20, 1840, a son of Philander and Catherine (Swan) Wright, and a grandson of the old and honored pioneer, George Wright, who settled in this neighborhood in 1820. The parents of our subject were married in Clinton Township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father, a most worthy man, died in June, 1856, his death being caused by the accidental discharge of a gun. The mother survived her husband about twenty years. They were the parents of nine children -- Mary Ann, who died in infancy; Oliver living in Clinton Township; Francis Marion, or Marion, as he is called; Levi, living in Clinton township; Mrs. Mary J. Salyer, deceased; Philander and James, residents of Kansas; Mrs. Thursy Foltz, of Clinton Township, and Mrs. Laura Keesel, of East Tennessee. Marion Wright, the subject of this sketch, was reared in his native township, to agricultural pursuits, and has always followed the avocation of a farmer. He received twenty-five acres of land from his father's estate, and from this beginning he has acquired a fine property by his persevering industry and good management. He resides on the same section where he was born, where he has a fine farm of 288 acres, most of which is improved, and ranks not only as an agriculturist, but as a citizen, among the best in Clinton Township. Mr. Wright was married February 20, 1862, to Miss Catherine Funkhouser, who was born in Vigo County, Indiana, February 11, 1844, a daughter of Isaac and hila Funkhouser. Her father died on the old homestead in Vigo County, where her mother yet lives. Mr. and Mrs. Wright have four children living -- Levi, married and living in Clinton Township; and Nettie, Wirt and Warren, still at home. Arthur, the fourth child born to Mr. and Mrs. Wright, died in infancy. Mr. Wright volunteered in defense of the Union during the war of the Rebellion, but was rejected as physically disqualified for active service. In politics he is an ardent Republican. Both he and his wife are worthy and consistent members of the United Brethren church.
IRWIN R. LAMB, of Newport, is a native of Indiana, born in Wayne County, March 19, 1840, a son of Elias Lamb. He was reared in Wayne County, making his home there until coming to Vermillion County. He has been twice married, taking for his first wife Miss Melissa Bailey, March 15, 1860. She died November 29, 1875, leaving a family of four children, named -- Alma S., Martha E., Frank A. and May Belle. May 18, 1879, Mr. Lamb married for