at Eugene until 1887. He then removed to Cayuga and engaged in the mercantile business, and by his genial and accommodating manners, and strict attention to the wants of his customers, he is doing a thriving business. He carries a full line of dry goods, ladies' and gents' furnishing goods, millinery, hats, caps, boots and shoes. May 3, 1881, he was united in marriage to Miss Ellen G. Edmonds, a daughter of Edmond Edmonds, of Eugene. Mrs. Peters was born in Eugene, and has spent her life in this county. Mr. Peters never seeks official honors preferring to devote his entire attention to his business rather than hold public office.
ADAM ZERNER, deceased, was one of the brave pioneers of Vermillion County, who settled in Newport when that now prosperous town consisted of but log huts. He was a native of Kentucky, born in Bourbon County, February 3, 1803, and was of German ancestry. When he was a lad his father died, and in 1812, he came with his mother to Indiana, she locating near Madison. The date of his settlement at Newport, this county, was in the year 1826, and here he continued to live until his death. He was first married in Newport in 1828, to Miss Mary Hopkins, whose father, James Hopkins, was one of the well known pioneers of the county. To this union nine children were born, of whom eight are still living, five sons and three daughters. Only two of the children make their home in Indiana -- Mrs. Parrett, who was born in Fewport in 1831, and the eldest of the children now living, and Robert Zerner who resides in Indianapolis. Mrs. Zerner died in 1861, and Mr. Zerner married for his second wife Miss Lovica Statts, by whom he had one daughter, who resides in Florida, with her mother. Mr. Zerner died in March, 1876. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church for forty years, and an upright, honorable gentleman.
DANIEL G. TILLOTSON, deceased, was born in Helt Township, Vermillion County, Indiana, May 8, 1825, a son of Chandler Tillotson, a native of Masachusetts, and an old and honored pioneer of this county. He came to Indiana in 1819, locating first at Fort Harrison, near the present site of Terre Haute, and in 1823 came to Vermillion County, and was one of the first settlers on Heidle's Prairie in Helt Township. Daniel G. was reared in his father's pioneer home, his youth being spent in asisting in the work of clearing and improving the farm and in attending the rude log cabin subscription schools of that early day, where he received but a limited education. He was married March 25, 1845, to Miss Rebecca Barkley, a daughter of William Barkley, who was a native of Pennsylvania. In 1829 he removed to Edgar County, Illinois, settling near the Indiana State line. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Tillotson, seven of whom are living -- Delia B. married Pryor Randall, who resides near Scotland, Illinois, and they have four children whose names are Daniel, Orval, William T., Electra: George B. married Clementina Wishard, and has two children; Elizabeth A. married Rev. John Rusmisel, of Helt Township, and their only child is named Beulah; Susannah is the wife of Frank Skidmore, of Helt Township; Mary E., Clara J., and Demetrius married Siba Wishard, and has one child named Minor R. Demetrius Tillotson is a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church, and resides at
Toronto, this county, One son, William T., died after reaching maturity, He married Hattie Swan, and left at his death three children, named George, Clifford and Nellie. Daniel G. Tillotson, our subject was an active worker for the cause of Christianity, and was a strong pillar in the Heidle's Prairie Baptitst church, and for several years was a deacon in the church. He died August 10, 1880, his death causing universal regret throughout the community where he had spent so many years.
ROBERT HARRISON, a worthy representative of one of the old pioneer families of Vermillion County, was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, October 11, 1832, a son of Benjamin and Jane Ann (Bright) Harrison, who settled on section 15, Clinton Township, when the subject of this sketch was a year old. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and early in life inured to hard work on his father's farm. His educational advantages were very limited, receiving such as the subscription schools of that early day afforded. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage, which occurred February 6, 1855, to Miss Elizabeth Fisher. She was born in Shelby County, Kentucky, June 23, 1833, and from infancy was reared in Vermillion County, Indiana, her parents, James and Elisabeth (Briscoe) Fisher, having settled in Helt Township in 1834. The father died about 1843 on the farm which he had cleared. Her mother afterward married Samuel Davidson, and both are now deceased, the former dying in 1880. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Harrison settled near his father's homestead on section 15, Clinton Township, where they have since made their home, and have their farm of sixty acres well improved and under fine cultivation. They are the parents of five chldren, all but one married, and living near their parents. The eldest, Benjamin, married Miss Eliza Camery, who died December 1, 1885, leaving at her death six children whose names are -- Warren, Daniel, Stella, Annabelle, Isaac and Sarah. James, the second child of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, married Miss Josie Chunn, and they have one child named Agnes. The third child, Annabelle, is the wife of George R. Hawkins. Jane Ann, the next child, is the wife of Sherman Bullock, and Briscoe, the youngest son is still at home with his parents. In his political views Mr. Harrison affiliates with the Republican party. Mr. Harrison is a man of strict integrity, fair and honorable in all his dealings, and during his long residence in Clinton Township has gained the confidence and respect of all who know him.
THOMAS J. MITCHELL, Sr., of Perrysville, one of the old and honored pioneers of Highland Township, was born in Champion County, Ohio, October 26, 1808, a son of James and Susannah Mitchell. When he was eight years old his parents settled in Nicholas County, Kentucky, and when he was fifteen they removed to Ripley County, Indiana, and in 1830 came with their family to Vermillion County. The father settled four and a half miles northwest of Perrysville, and after residing in this county a number of years he went to White County, Indiana, where he died. After his death his widow returned to Ripley County, Indiana, where she spent the remainder of her days. They reared a family of seven children to maturity, of whom three are yet living. Thomas J. Mitchell was the fourth