Lemuel Bachelor and Louisa J. Richardson were married in the year 1843, in Licking county, Ohio. Their children are: Morrison, born July 14, 1845; Willis, July 5, 1847; Edwin, October 2, 1855; Mary Alice, January 21, 1858; Catherine, April 12, 1859; Ettie, October 4, 1861. All are residents of Wells county. Louisa J. Bachelor is a daughter of Richard and Susan (Conant) Richardson. She was born in the state of New York, in the year 1824. Lemuel Bachelor is a son of Bazil Bachelor, born in New Hampshire, and Nancy (Jefferson) Bachelor, born in Rutland Vermont. His birth occurred in Ashtabula county, Ohio, September 23, 1820. He removed to Wells county in the year 1855. He served twelve years as Justice of the Peace; three years as Notary Public; four years as County Treasurer; and is at present Township Trustee. His time is employed in farming and attending to the duties of Trustee. Address, Bluffton, Wells county, Indiana.

Historical Hand-Atlas, With Complete Reference Map of the World, History of Wells Co., IN, Chicago & Toledo: H. H. Hardesty & Co., 1881.
Transcribed by Kathy Davis

LEMUEL BACHELOR, farmer, living one mile south of Bluffton, was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, September 23, 1820, the eldest son of Bazil and Nancy (Jefferson) Bachelor, who had a family of seven children-Lemuel, Ira, Bazil, Alonzo, Rhoda, Lucy and Almira, all living except Ira and Almira. Of those living Bazil, Alonzo and Rhoda reside in Union County, and Lucy in Franklin County, Ohio. The father was a native of Massachusetts, born March 15, 1793, a son of Lemuel Bachelor, who was of English ancestry, and died March 12, 1869, in Wells County, Indiana. The mother was born November 21, 1795, in Rutland County, Vermont, and died March 24, 1883. She was a daughter of Jeremiah Jefferson, who was a second cousin of President Thomas Jefferson and of English descent. The parents were married in New York and moved to Ashtabula County, Ohio, November 7, 1819, where the father followed milling and farming for many years.

Mr. Bachelor, the subject of this sketch, passed his early youth in assisting his father on the farm and in attending the subscription schools. He remained with his parents until his marriage, which occurred March 4, 1843, with Miss Louisa J. Richardson, of Cayuga County, New York, a daughter of Richard Richardson, who came to Ohio when Mrs. Bachelor was a child. Our subject followed farming in Ashtabula, his native County, until 1854, when he moved to Wells County, having purchased a farm in Jackson Township the year before he settled on it, and cleared and improved the farm until it was among the best in the township. He remained on this farm until he was elected county treasurer in 1874, when he left the farm and moved to Bluffton to assume the duties of his office, and at the expiration of his term in 1876 was re-elected and filled the office to the entire satisfaction of the people, no man ever having been more faithful to his trust. After the expiration of the four years in office he retired to his farm south of Bluffton, where he and his estimable wife are enjoying the accumulations of many years of hard labor.

They have had seven children, six of whom are living-Morris, Willie, Andrew (deceased), Edwin, Mary, wife of E. A. Smith, Cassie, wife of Elias Davis, and Etta, wife of Benjamin Mendenhall. Mr. and Mrs. Bachelor are both members of the Baptist church, and politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, being true to his Jeffersonian ancestry. In 1865 the parents of Mr. Bachelor came to Wells County to live with him, where the father passed the remainder of his days; the mother afterward returned to Ohio and died at the home of her daughter Rhoda.

In addition to serving as treasurer of his county two terms he was justice of the peace for twelve years and township trustee two years of Jackson Township. Mr. Bachelor's enterprise and forethought has always been a marked characteristic of his life. A notable incident was his vote in 1872 to aid the Toledo, Thorntown & St. Louis Railroad, when the question was submitted to a vote of the county, he being the only man in his township who had the courage to stand alone and vote his convictions, believing then as now that the general good of the people should be the object in all public questions, and now those who were opposed to the measure admit the wisdom of his course, as the result of the agitation of that enterprise finally resulted in the construction of the present Toledo, St. Louis & Kansas City Railroad.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 734-737.

PETER BAILEY, deceased, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, May 29, 1818, son of Jacob and Barbara (Rupright) Bailey, early settlers of that county. He learned the carpenter's trade when a young man, and worked at that business for some time after coming to this county. He was reared to industrious and economical habits and always saved his money. In 1827 Jacob Meyer, with his wife Catherine, came from Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, and settled near Lordstown. They were the parents of ten children --- Nathan, Daniel, Polly, Catherine, Sarah, Lovina, Eliza and Lydia; two are deceased.

Lydia Meyer became the wife of our subject in April, 1842, and they began housekeeping near the village of Lordstown, where Peter had purchased twenty acres of land. Six of their children were born in Ohio-Sarah, wife of William Goldner; Mary, wife of Jacob Loo; Catherine, now Mrs. Calvin Spencer; Elizabeth, wife of Christian Loo; Jacob, who married Mary Rodgers, of Lockport, New York, and residing at Paulding Center, Ohio; George, who married Emma Lamb, and living at Uniondale. The following were born in Union Township--Joseph E., who married Annie Lepper; Eliza, wife of Isaac Christlieb; Matilda, wife of John Burnsides, and Jennie, wife of Levi Shorey.

Mr. Bailey removed to this county with his family in 1851, settling upon the farm where his widow now resides. A poor log cabin and one acre cleared were all the improvements that had been made, as the land was situated on the Indian Reserve, which had been open for settlement only a short time. A part of the cabin had no floor, and for several years they lived in a very primitive way. He was able to pay cash for his land, and being the happy possessor of a watch, sold that to his father, who moved the family here, for money enough to buy a cow. While the wife and children were picking brush and rolling up the smaller logs, Peter was working hard at his trade. Their meat was wild game. Wolves howled around the cabin at night, and the babes would nestle closer to their good mother's side as the mournful notes rose high on the midnight air. They could not then foresee that in a few short years railroads would pass so near to them, and that enterprising towns would spring up, where there was nought but an unbroken forest and not a settler's cabin could be seen. They came to the township over the plank road leading from Fort Wayne to Bluffton, and the early settler depended on the ax to clear a road to the land owned by each; and had they not carried a compasss, [sic] would frequently have been lost in the woods.

In addition to serving as treasurer of his county two terms he was justice of the peace for twelve years and township trustee two years of Jackson Township. Mr. Bachelor's enterprise and forethought has always been a marked characteristic of his life. A notable incident was his vote in 1872 to aid the ToleMr. Bailey was one of the first supervisors in the township, and helped to clear up the line and locate the roads running in both directions from his land. During his later years he devoted his time entirely to his farm, and at his death, which occurred May 15, 1873, left a quarter-section of land to his family. He was a member of the Lutheran church, and was one of the first to assist in the establishment of that church in the neighborhood. He was highly respected and his loss was deeply regretted. His wife is now sixty-six years of age, is yet sprightly and cheerful. She resides on the homestead, which is managed by her grandson, Edward L. Goldner.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 694-695.

CHRISTOPHER BAKER, one of the old and honored pioneers of Wells County, who is now deceased, was a native of Baden, Germany, born in the year 1804, a son of William and Barbara Baker. When he was sixteen years of age his father died, after which he served an apprenticeship at the tailor's trade. He then served two years in the army, when he was discharged on furnishing a substitute. He was united in marriage in 1827, to Miss Elizabeth, a daughter of Philip M. Zimmerman, of Baden, Germany. They remained in their native country until 1835, when they set sail for America, and after a voyage of eight weeks landed at Baltimore, Maryland. He followed his trade at Baltimore for five years, when he removed with his family near the Pennsylvania State line, sixty-four miles from the city of Baltimore, where he followed his trade during the winter months, and in the summers worked as a laborer for three and a half years.

Lydia Meyer became the wife of our subject in April, 1842, and they began housekeeping near the village of Lordstown, where Peter had purchased twenty acres of land. Six of their children were born in Ohio-Sarah, wife of William Goldner; Mary, wife of Jacob Loo; Catherine, now Mrs. Calvin Spencer; Elizabeth, wife of Christian Loo; Jacob, who married Mary Rodgers, of Lockport, New York, and residing at Paulding Center, Ohio; George, who married Emma Lamb, and living at Uniondale. The following were born in Union Township--Joseph E., who married Annie Lepper; Eliza, wife of Isaac Christlieb; Matilda, wife of John Burnsides, and Jennie, wife of Levi Shorey.

He then removed to Crawford County, Ohio, where he made his home until coming to Wells County, Indiana, September 21, 1851. He then purchased 182 acres of unimproved land on section 6, Rock Creek Township, and after clearing and improving thirty acres he traded his land for the farm on section 9, Rock Creek Township, which is now owned and occupied by his son-in-law, William Wolf, where he spent the remainder of his life. He died June 20, 1880, his death being a source of universal regret throughout the township where he had made his home for so many years. His wife died February 5, 1877, at the age of seventy-eight years. Both were earnest members of the Lutheran church. In his political views he was a Democrat. Of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Baker three are deceased-Frederick, Philip and Annie. The only surviving member of the family is Mary L., now the wife of William Wolf.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 701-702.

Philip Baker's recollections of this county go back to the time of his boyhood, more than sixty years ago. The family is a numerous one and they have always borne the reputation of honest and substantial citizens and for the most part have been splendid representatives of the agricultural type.

Mr. Baker was born in Champaign County, Ohio, Mary 15, 1846, a son of Jacob and Sarah (Hower) Baker. His parents came originally from York County, Pennsylvania, were pioneers in Clark County, Ohio, and about 1828 settled in Champaign County of that state. On both sides the family is of German stock. When Philip Baker was ten years old, in August, 1856, his parents moved to Adams County and a year later settled upon the farm in Root Township where Mr. Baker now lives. This was a tract of wild land comprising eighty acres, and it improvements as well as its subsequent care and productive development have been the work and result of constant expenditure of labor upon the part of the Baker family.

Jacob Baker was long and prominently known in Adams County, and died here in July, 1893. He had survived his wife many years, her death having occurred in 1863, when Philip was seventeen years old. They had a large family of children, named: Susanna, deceased; Phillip; Joseph, deceased; William H.; Mary E., deceased; John M.; Sarah E., deceased; and Thomas A. deceased.

Mr. Philip Baker was reared and educated in Adams County, attended the common schools of Root Township, and his early training and discipline on the home farm fitted him for the vocation which he followed for many years. For fourteen years Mr. Baker lived in Decatur and was engaged in the manufacture of saddle stirrups. In January, 1894, he bought the old homestead from his father's estate and has managed it so as to provide amply for the needs of his family and to produce a reasonable competence for his later years. Mr. Baker is a democrat in politics, though more and more inclined to independence in casting his vote. He is affiliated with St. Mary's Lodge No. 167 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Decatur. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

November 18, 1877, Mr. Baker married Nancy B. Kimsey, daughter of William and Nancy Kimsey. Her brothers and sisters were: John, deceased; Sarah E.; William T.; Robert N., deceased; Joseph F., deceased; Mary E., deceased; and Emma, deceased. Mr. And Mrs. Baker's children are Bertha A., who married Emerson Elzey and lived in Van Wert County, Ohio; Charles E., who married Flossie Bolinger and lives at Decatur; Harvy M., who married Augusta Ketchum; Alva D. who married Annota M. Dailey, of Root Township; Franklin O., who married Opal Butcher, of Root Township; Lola D. and Lulu B., twins and Carl, deceased. Of the twin daughters, Lola married William J. McCague, and Lulu is now deceased. The grandchildren are: The two children of Alva D. are Philip D. and Forest; Franklin O. has three children, Otis Melroy, Kenneth C. and Vernon M.; Mrs. Lola D. McCague has two children Frances B. and Philip A.; Mrs. Bertha Elzey has one child, Dorothy L.; Charles Edward has two children, Mildred and Charles E., Jr.; Harvy M. has one child, Marion H.

Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties Indiana. Volume II, Under the Editorial Supervision of John W Tyndall for Adams Co and O. E. Lesh for Wells County. The Lewis Publishing Company, 1918, p. 499-500.
Contributed by Nola Rains

WILLIAM F. BARCHMAN, farmer, Chester Township, was born in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1821, son of Frederick and Ragena (Shlagel) Barchman. His parents were also natives of Pennsylvania, and of German ancestry. His mother's grandparents were from Germany, and her mother was born on the ocean. The parents became acquainted in Luzerne County, and were married in Northampton County, the mother's birthplace. They first settled in Luzerne County, and afterward removed to Butler County when William F. was in his third year. They bought land in Butler County, and added to it from time to time until they had 140 acres in one tract and fifteen acres in another. The country was then very wild, and their experiences were not always pleasant.

The father died January 22, 1858, and in June of the same year William F. sold the place and came to Indiana, locating on 160 acres of land he had previously purchased in Chester Township. His mother came the same season, but went back to Pennsylvania again. Two years later she returned to Indiana and made her home with William F. for about twelve years. October 22, 1875, her clothing caught fire and she was fatally burned, living only forty-one hours. She was taken back to Butler County for burial. When our subject came to his present home it was entirely new; not a stick had been cut. Although he sold one farm of eighty acres, he still has 175 acres of excellent land, of which over ninety acres are cleared. It is tile-drained, and cannot be excelled in Wells County. Politically Mr. Barchman affiliates with the Republican party.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 696-699.

Bluffton has been a center of trade and business for over three quarters of a century, and among those connected with the business, civic, social and religious life of the community William R. Barr is prominently numbered. The Leader Company, of which he is vice president and manager, is now and for some years past has been supplying a large part of the reliable merchandise distributed not only in Bluffton but throughout Wells County. That, however, is only one of Mr. Barr's active interests in the city.

By nativity he belongs to the city of Fort Wayne, where he was born April 27, 1874, a son of Robert and Lettie (Bennett) Barr. His mother was a daughter of Robert C. and Harriet (Deam) Bennett. Robert Barr, the father, was born in 1848, at Paisley, Scotland, where the famous shawls come from. When a small child he accompanied his mother to America, the first location being at Halifax and later moving to Rochester, New York, where Robert was reared and where he had a common school education. He learned his trade in machine shops in Rochester and from there came to Fort Wayne, Indiana, working in the Pennsylvania Railway shops and in 1880 came to Bluffton, where he entered the service of George W. Grimes in the latter's foundry and machine shop on the south side of Washington Street near the railroad. He was connected with that industry until the latter part of 1915 and was active in building up the industry as a manufactory of boilers, engines, mill machinery, architectural iron work and other products. He was a member of Bluffton Lodge No. 114, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which he served as noble grand, and in politics was a republican and filled the ounce of councilman one term. He is now living with his son William R. Barr. There were four children in the family, and the three now living are: William R.; Fred H., who is manager of a chain of 5 and 10-cent stores in which his brother William is also interested, his home being at Celina, Ohio; and Alice, a graduate of the Bluffton High School and the wife of James H. Lepper, who lives at Owensboro, Kentucky, where he is now active in the 5 and 10-cent business.

William R. Barr was six years of age when the family moved to Bluffton. Here he attended the public and high schools. At the age of seventeen he went to Rochester, New York, spending a year and a half employed with a party of civil engineers and at the same time continued his education by attending night school. Returning to Bluffton, Mr. Barr entered the service of G. F. McFarren, one of the oldest and best known merchants of Bluffton. He was with him until 1898, then, with William S. Smith, he bought the John W. Tribolet clothing store. At the end of five years Mr. Barr bought the interests of Mr. Smith, and then merged the store with the firm of Bender, Walmer & Barr. Five years later Mr. Walmer retired, turning over his interest to the other two partners.

The Leader Company was incorporated in 1908. Its present officers are: Samuel Bender, president; William R. Barr, vice president; Herbert H. Bender, secretary and treasurer, and the board of directors are Samuel Bender, Mr. Barr and Herbert H. Bender. Mr. Barr is also one of the directors of the W. B. Brown Company and is a member of the executive committee and director of the M. & R. Traction Company. He is also one of the directors of the Elm Grove Cemetery.

Mr. Barr is a York and Scottish Rite Mason, past master of his Masonic lodge and past eminent commander of the Knights Templar and also belongs to the Mystic Shrine. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and in politics is a republican.

Mr. Barr married Margaret Walling, of one of the old and well known families of Muncie, Indiana. She is a graduate of the Muncie High School. Her parents were Mark and Mary E. (Gilbert) Walling. Mr. and Mrs. Barr have an adopted daughter, Lois Barr, born August 17, 1904. Mrs. Barr was well educated in literature and music, and for several years taught music in the Bluffton public schools and has had active charge of the music of the Baptist Church for a number of years. Both are active members of this church and Mr. Barr is a teacher of a class enrolling about 250 members in the Sunday school.

Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties Indiana. John W Tyndall for Adams Co and O. E. Lesh for Wells County. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1918, pp. 485-487.

Adam Bartlemay, a soldier of the late war, enlisted August 9, 1862, becoming a member of Company B, 101st Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. The first battle worthy of note in which he was engaged, was at Vault Hill, Tennessee. He was with Thomas at his raid on Chickamauga; then he was wounded in the thigh and did not rejoin the regiment until they reached Chattanooga. He was with Thomas until reaching Atlanta, taking part in each engagement, going back with him after Hood as far as within twenty miles of Nashville, then to Galesburg, Alabama, and back to Atlanta, with Sherman to Savannah, fighting more or less each day. He then started back through South and North Carolina, to Kingston, going to Raleigh, North Carolina, having several hard fights before reaching there, one lasted several days; was near Smithfield when he heard of the surrender of Johnston; next day receiving the news of the death of Abraham Lincoln; He then went to Richmond, and to the grand review at Washington, passing over several of the battlefields of the eastern army, through Virginia; was discharged at Indianapolis. He was wounded in the face at the battle of Vault Hill but did not leave the regiment. He was born in Pennsylvania, August 4, 1841; was married April 11, 1867, to Catherine Neff. Their children are Jacob Edward, born March 10, 1869; Arnetta Lorena, February 22, 1871; Elizabeth Arnella, June 1, 1873; Arthur Clarence and Arla Paschal, March 17, 1878; Maggie Myrtle, February 13, 1881. Mrs. Bartlemay was born in Athens County, Ohio, November 25, 1846. Her parents, John and Catherine Neff, removed to Wells county in 1865. The former was born April 4, 1777; they died March 18, 1872, the deaths occurring but eight hours apart; both lie in one grave. Adam Bartlemay is a son of John and Elizabeth (Shuey) Bartlemay; the former was born in Pennsylvania, August 4, 1802, died in November 1869; the latter was born July 24, 1806, died in March 1879. Adam Bartlemay removed to Wells county in 1845; is a resident of Harrison township, a farmer, and stock-raiser. Address, Bluffton.

Historical Hand-Atlas, With Complete Reference Map of the World, History of Wells Co., IN, Chicago & Toledo: H. H. Hardesty & Co., 1881, Pg 204

James Barton, a soldier of the late war, was a member of the 130th Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was discharged December 2, 1865. He served three years as Supervisor of Liberty township, of which he is a resident. He was born in Delaware County, Indiana, February 19, 1838; settled in Wells County in the year 1867. His father, Ralph Barton, died in Wells County, Indiana. His mother, Susan (Hamilton) Barton, died in Delaware County, Indiana. He was married in Huntington county, Indiana, December 15, 1861, to Mary A Shawl. She was born in Huntington county, Indiana, October 1, 1842, and is a daughter of James A. and Elizabeth (Waggoner) Shawl, residents of Wells county. Their children are: Clarissa J., born December 7, 1862; Sarah A., July 17, 1864; Nancy C., December 20, 1866; Elmira, December 22, 1868; Wilbert S., January 27, 1871; Rossele, March 17, 1873, died April 12, 1873; Mary E., June 17, 1875; James A., February 18,1877; Cora A., July 6, 1879. James Barton's brother, --- B. Barton, served in the late war, a member of the 89th Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. His brother George, a member of the 130th Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, was taken prisoner, and died at Andersonville. James Barton is engaged in farming. Adress, Bluffton, Indiana.

Historical Hand-Atlas, With Complete Reference Map of the World, History of Wells Co., IN, Chicago & Toledo: H. H. Hardesty & Co., 1881.

Lucinda Eveline Barton residing in Liberty Township is a daughter of James W. and Hannah (Hammond) Barton. She was born in Wells County, Indiana, October 30, 1854. Her mother's brother was a warrior of 1861 and died while in the service. Her father's cousin, George Washington Barton, also died in the service. Business, laborer. Address, Liberty Center.

Historical Hand-Atlas, With Complete Reference Map of the World, History of Wells Co., IN, Chicago & Toledo: H. H. Hardesty & Co., 1881.

Rachel S. Barton is a daughter of Henry and Nancy (Benjamin) Barton, settlers of Wells county in 1869. She is a resident of Liberty township; was born in Huntington county, Indiana. Her father's children are: Mary M., deceased; Nathan A., is a resident of Mississippi; George W., deceased; Louisa A., resides in Bluffton, Indiana; Elizabeth J., February 17, 1850, resides in Liberty township; Andrew J., resides in Harrison township; William H., December 25, 1853: Rebecca E., October 7, 1857, resides in Huntington county, Indiana; Rachel S., April 15, 1858; Hiram S., September 2, 1859; Thomas E., February 15, 1861. Nathan A. and George were soldiers of the late war. George was a member of the 130th Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. George died of measles, while in the army. Business, laboring. Address, Mount Zion, Wells County, Indiana.

Historical Hand-Atlas, With Complete Reference Map of the World, History of Wells Co., IN, Chicago & Toledo: H. H. Hardesty & Co., 1881.

BENJAMIN C. BATSON is a native of Wells County, Indiana, born in Jackson Township, November 14, 1847, son of Nathaniel and Nancy (Ralston) Batson. He was reared in his native township, on the home farm, his youth being passed in assisting with the work of the farm and attending the district schools. March 7, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Alice Davis, a native of Highland County, Ohio, born November 5, 1847, a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Cloud) Davis. Of the four children born to this union one son, Lewis Benjamin, is deceased. The names of those yet living are Henry S., James C. and Alice Emily. Mr. Batson lived on the old homestead with his parents for eight years after his marriage, when he settled on his present farm on section 11 of Jackson Township. His land at that time was in a wild state, heavily covered with timber, and entirely unimproved. Of his sixty acres he has cleared about thirty-five acres which he has brought under cultivation, and has erected his present residence and other buildings besides making other substantial improvements on his place. Mr. and Mrs. Batson are members of the Christian church. In politics he casts his suffrage with the Democratic party, his father having also been a life-long Democrat.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 814.

Samuel J. Batson, who was born October 17, 1830, in Henry county, Indiana, is a son of Nathaniel Batson, born in Ohio, February 24, 1808. He was a son of Samuel Batson, a native of New Jersey and of Welsh descent. The maternal parent of the subject and wife of Nathaniel Batson was Nancy (Ralston) Batson, born in the state of Kentucky, January 9, 1812. She was the daughter of James Ralston and came with her parents to Wayne county, Indiana. She grew to womanhood in Henry county, Indiana, where she met and married Nathaniel Batson, who had come to Henry county with his parents when he was fifteen years old, about the year 1823.

Nathaniel Batson, after his marriage, settled in Henry county and engaged in farming there until the spring of 1837, when they moved to Wells county, Indiana, and there entered four hundred and sixty-two acres of land in section 11, Jackson township. This land was in the wood, the nearest neighbor being distant one mile and the next nearest two miles away. Nathaniel and Nancy Batson spent the remainder of their lives in Wells county, where they both died, Nathaniel in 1878 and Nancy in 1881. They were the parents of twelve children: Samuel J., the subject; Lavina, deceased; Esther, deceased; Nathaniel died in infancy; Andrew Jackson died in infancy; William died in Oklahoma; Mary, deceased; Martin, now a resident of Bluffton, Indiana; Eliza Jane, the wife of Henry Roush, now living near Mt Zion, Indiana; Sarah, deceased; John, and Nancy, the wife of Andrew Gephart.

The subject was schooled in the subscription schools in Jackson township, the present admirable common school system not having been developed at that time in the locality. The sessions of the school where the subject attended were held in an old log cabin with greased paper for window lights, slab seats and puncheon flooring. Samuel attended his last term of school when he was about nineteen years of age. He then remained at home with his father until his marriage. He was married January 15, 1852, to Catherine Huffman, born December 11, 1832. Her parents, Henry and Elizabeth (Eversole) Huffman, were natives of Clark county, Ohio, but settled later in Jackson township, Wells county, Indiana. Elizabeth died in Ohio and Henry in Wells county, Indiana. Henry was twice married, his second wife being Catherine Baker. To his first union four children were born, all of whom are yet living: Jacob, a resident of Huntington county, Indiana; Catherine, the wife of the subject; Sarah, the wife of Isaac Jones, and Peter, a resident of Ohio. To his second union ten children were born: Frederick, Mary S., deceased, George, Samuel, Evelyn, Levi, John, Lydia, Eliza and Henry. After his marriage the subject settled on the farm and in the same house in which he now lives; he and his father hewed out the logs of which it is built. The house has had three roofs since it ws built, the father shaving the shingles for the first, and the subject those for the second roofing, but he had to buy the material for the third and last covering, which is still in good condition.

When the wife of the subject was a girl she was an adept in the accomplishments of weaving, spinning, etc., which were common housewifely occupations in those days, when they made all their own clothing. She yet retains a spinning wheel which belonged to an aunt. The subject cleared up the land on which he now lives. As he says, he had to "dig it out." He is the father of nine children, seven of whom are yet living: Nathaniel, born August 9, 1853, married Mary Wyley September 28, 1882, and is the father of three boys, Firman, an oil pumper, Aubreye and Oris; Sarah, the second child, was born August 1, 1855, and is now the wife of Henry Swaim: she was first married to William Smithson, to which union five children were born, William E., Franklin, Lloyd, Clinton and Edith; to her second marriage two children have been born, Alva and Orval Swaim; the third child of the subject, Henry, was born December 27, 1857, married Sarah J Sills, and they are the parents of three children, Dessa, Letha and Mary T; the fifth child, Nancy C., was born February 26, 1862, is the wife of Henry King and has one son, Frank; Mary E. was born July 8, 1860, and is the wife of A.J. Faust, a resident of Nottingham township, Wells county, and has three children, Ada May, Clara B. and Catharine; Ella M, born July 6, 1864, is the wife of Homer Knott, of Hartford City, Indiana, and they have two children, Winona and Inez; Elnora, born July 21, 1867, was the wife of John Click, but died August 10, 1893, leaving one child, Orta; Laura A., born April 3, 1874, wife of Lawson J Beavans, has four children, Leha, Fay, Jesse and James M; Clara Belle, born October 3, 1876, died August 28, 1891.

Mr Batson has been a general stock farmer. He is in the oil field and has on his farm six producing wells, making seven inches (tank measure) a day, which yields him a profit of fifteen or twenty dollars per month. He has devoted his whole life to farming, occasionally helping to run a threshing machine in the fall of the year. Mr. Batson now owns forty acres of land on which he lives. He and his wife are both connected with the Campbellite (Christian) church, of which they are consistent members. Politically the subject has always acted and voted with the Democratic party. He is of a class which is rapidly passing away and has witnessed all the stages of development of his locality from a comparative wilderness to its present highly improved and well cultivated condition. He has seen the evolution in temples of learning from the log cabin with puncheon floors and greased paper window lights, and subscription school, to the palatial buildings now devoted to the uses of the common schools of the country, and in all the multitudinous and laborious changes that have transformed the face of nature he has well borne his part. In the course of nature it will not be many years until the last of these hardy pioneers will be gathered to their fathers. While it is scarcely possible for the present generation to realize what they have passed, the greatest compliment they can pay to their memory is to emulate their example.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. BF Bowen, Publisher, Logansport, Ind. 1903, pp. 152-154.
Transcribed by wwkly@citznet.com

JOHN C. BAUMGARTNER is a native of Wells County, Indiana, born in Harrison Township in December, 1854, a son of Christian and Catherine (Lehman) Baumgartner, natives of Canton Berne, Switzerland. His father was first married in Wayne County, Ohio, and with his family removed to Wells County, Indiana, where his wife died, leaving seven children. In 1852 he married Mrs. Catherine Baumgartner, widow of John Baumgartner, to whom she was married in Switzerland, and after his death with her two sons, Jacob and Cleophas, came to America. The first named enlisted in the war of the Rebellion and served nearly three years. He was wounded at the battle of Nashville, Tennessee, and was captured, and taken to Libby prison, where he died. Cleophas practiced medicine a number of years, and then became a minister of the gospel, and is now living at Elkhart, Indiana.

John C. Baumgartner was reared in his native township, remaining at home until 1880, when he left the farm, and until 1884 was engaged in manufacturing lumber. In 1884 he lost his left arm by an accident in his mill, and was obliged to seek other employment. After his recovery he was employed as agent for a publishing house for a time, and in the spring of 1886 began clerking for Justus, Clark & Beil, hardware dealers at Bluffton, remaining with them a short time, when he engaged in the abstract business. In November, 1880, he was elected recorder of Wells County, his duties beginning in November, 1887. Mr. Baumgartner was married December 26, 1878, to Mary A. Ashbaucher, daughter of John and Anna (Schene) Ashbaucher, of French Township, Adams County. They have two children- Charles Edwin and Oron Winfield. Mr. and Mrs. Baumgartner are members of the English Reform church at Bluffton. Mr. Baumgartner in politics is a Democrat. He is a member of Bluffton Lodge, No. 1,838, K. of H.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 786.

This young and thriving farmer of Jackson township, Wells County, Indiana, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, March 27, 1862. His father, James Beavans, was born in Monmouthshire, England, November 12, 1828. He remained in his native country until about, thirty years of age, when, on the 30th of April, 1859, he was united in marriage to Anne Williams, who was also a native of Monmouthshire. Soon after his marriage James Beavans came to the United States, landing at Portsmouth, Virginia, November 10, 1859, and soon afterward located in Clinton County, Ohio. In the fall of 1864 he removed to Blackford County, Indiana, remaining there until 1870, when he came to Jackson County, Indiana, and located first on a rented farm, from whence he subsequently removed to his late home in the same township. There, by industry and economy, he made for himself and family a home of comfort and plenty. He had in former years met with many reverses, which were very discouraging, but instead of yielding to their influences, it only awakened in him a determination to take a stronger hold upon the great possibilities of life. He was honest and upright with his fellow men; his word was as good as his bond; he was a good neighbor, honored and respected by all who knew him. He united with the Methodist church in 1885 and remained a consistent member until death. As a Christian he was not a sun that flashed and burned in mighty energy, but as a star that shone steadily in its constancy. For several years before his death his health and strength gradually failed, and he passed into the silent land February i, 1899, aged seventy years, two months and eighteen days.

To James and Anne (Williams) Beavans were born seven children, named in order of birth as follows: Francis, now deceased; John W., in whose interest principally this biography is prepared; William E., at home with his mother; Horace A., deceased; David E., residing in Warren, Indiana; Lawson J., farming in Jackson township, and Mary M., wife of B. F. McCoy, a resident of Jefferson township, Huntington county, Indiana.

John W. Beavans attended the district schools of Jackson township until about twenty-one years of age, and continued to assist on the home farm until he married, March 6, 1886, Miss Mary E. Alexander, who was born March 7, 1865, and is a daughter of Robert and Mary Jane (Jones) Alexander, natives of Ohio, but who were brought to Indiana when young by their parents.

Robert and Mary Jane Alexander were the parents of nine children, namely: Rhoda Adeline, deceased; Susan; John T., a resident of Salamonie Township, Huntington County; Enoch, farming in Jackson township, Wells county; William R., a resident of Jefferson township, Huntington county; Sarah, wife of Edward Fornshell; Mary E., now Mrs. J. W. Beavans; Daniel, deceased, and an infant also deceased.

When John W. Beavans started in life for himself his father assisted in buying him a team of colts and John W. himself borrowed one hundred dollars with which to purchase furniture. He located on a part of his father's farm, where he resided about a year and then moved to a log cabin already standing on the farm he now occupies and here built his modern dwelling in 1894 and his substantial barn in 1901, and now owns one hundred and five acres of arable land and also twelve producing oil wells which in 1901 netted him a little over one hundred dollars per month; but the supply is gradually diminishing and the income from these wells is now about seventy dollars monthly. His farming is of a general character, but he gives a great deal of attention to live stock, making specialties of shorthorn cattle, Shropshire sheep and Poland China hogs, in the breeding of all of which he has been remarkably successful.

The marriage of John W. Beavans and Mary E. Alexander has been crowned by the birth of five children, namely: A daughter who was born March 22, 1887, and died unnamed in infancy; Lawrence L., born February 26, 1889; Frederick E., born September 9, 1894; Mabel M., born September 9, 1896, and Nora E., born February 2, 1902.

Mrs. Beavans is a member of the Methodist Protestant church and Mr. Beavans affiliates with the Jackson Center Lodge No. 769, I. O. O. F., at McNatts. In politics Mr. Beavans is a Democrat, but is not particularly active save during the campaign season, when he warms up to his work as a party man. The Beavans family are held in very high esteem by their neighbors, Mrs. Beavans being a lady of many amiable domestic qualities and Mr. Beavans being recognized as one of the most upright as well as industrious young farmers in the township.

As being of special interest in connection with the foregoing sketch, the following obituary notices are here reprinted: Anna, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Williams, was born in Monmouthshire county, England, October 1, 1834. Departed this life July 18, 1902. Was united in marriage to James Beavans April 30. 1859. To this union were born seven children, five of whom survive her, four sons and one daughter, her husband, one son and a daughter having preceded her to the glory land. She leaves two brothers, eleven grandchildren and a number of other relatives and friends. She united with the Church of England while in youth. She, with her husband, came to this country November 10, 1859, landing at Portsmouth, Virginia. They settled in Clinton county, Ohio, the same year, removing to Blackford county, Indiana, in the fall of 1864; removed to Jackson township, Wells county, Indiana, in 1870; March 17, removed to where she lived at the time of her death. She united with the Methodist Protestant church at Union Chapel in 1884 and remained a faithful member until her death. She was a kind and devoted Christian mother and by her deeds of kindness she had won a great many friends and will be missed by the church and community in which she lived. The home circle is once more broken. Mother is gone, but not forgotten. In her declining years the burden of her conversation was, "We cannot do too much for the Lord." She was aged sixty-seven years, nine months and eleven days. The funeral was conducted by her pastor, Rev. J. L. Barclay, at Union Chapel, before a large and sympathetic audience. Interment took place at Woodlawn cemetery, Warren, Indiana.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. BF Bowen, Publisher, Logansport, Ind. 1903, pp. 1160-162.
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SETH DOUGLAS BEAVERS, M. D., of Tocsin, was born in Hocking County, Ohio, and came with his parents, Samuel D. and Lydia (Weldy) Beavers, to Adams County, Indiana, in 1863. He received his education principally at Fort Wayne, and completed it at Valparaiso, this State, in 1881. He began the study of medicine with Dr. B. R. Freeman, of Decatur, Indiana, and matriculated at Rush Medical College, of Chicago, in 1883, attending three courses of lectures. He graduated February 17, 1886. He was employed at the city hospitals of Chicago two years, as nurse, prior to his graduation. His last college year he officiated as assistant to Dr. Thomas J. Shaw, Professor of Clinical Gynecology at the West Side Free Dispensary, Chicago. The doctor settled in Tocsin in the spring of 1886, and has since had an excellent practice.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 800.

John M. Beck was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, May 17, 1839. His father, Mathias Beck, was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and the son of a furrier. He had received only a common German education, as his father was unable to give him the advantage of the higher training. Being a cripple, he was not compelled to serve in the army, as was his more able bodied associates, and was thus nurtured in a less hardy but purer atmosphere. He was married to Miss Rosanna Haley, and in order to secure a better home sold his possessions and came to America in 1830, settling in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where he purchased a small farm. He remained in Pennsylvania eight years and then came to Indiana, settling at Fort Wayne. About 1841 he came to Wells county and bought two hundred and forty acres of land in the woods where he built one of the finest houses in this part of Wells county. This home, which was then considered little less than a mansion, was a large hewed-log house of three rooms below and one above. Mr. Beck was a man of energy and was among those to encourage improvements, lending his aid to all movements for the benefit of his community. He was a Democrat and a member of the German Lutheran church. He was the father of eight children, four of whom grew to maturity. John M.; and Anna M. wife of Henry Foreman, at one time a furrier of Adams county, but now a retired farmer, are the only ones living.

John M. Beck came with his parents to Wells county when he was two and one-half years old and has since spent his entire life in this section. He received a common education in the country schools and spent his hours out of school working for his father, whom he assisted until he was twenty-seven years old. In December, 1866, he married Miss Mary Miller, whose parents came from Stark county, Ohio, and established a home of his own. This lady died in 1874 and the following year he married Miss Melissa J. Bennet, of Washington county, Iowa. She was educated in the Washington Academy, had been a teacher in Iowa and also in Wells county. Mr. Beck worked his father's farm for some years and two years later bought the old homestead, containing one hundred and forty acres, in the northeast part of Wells county. Being a careful manager and a progressive farmer, he has made money, being now considered one of the successful farmers and stock raisers of the community. By his first wife he was the father of four children, viz : William M., who married Miss M. N. Snarr, is a farmer in Jefferson township; Charles M., who married Miss Anna Bowers, is engaged in the hardware business at Fort Wayne; Rosa E. is the wife of Fred Tracy, of St. Joseph county, and Mary L. is the wife of M. E. Spencer, of Ossian. The present Mrs. Beck is the mother of two children, viz: Nora C. is the wife of Prof. I. C. Hamilton, a graduate of the State University at Bloomington and a student of the Chicago University, both having taught in the Wells county schools; Ira D. W., who is assisting his father on the farm.

The subject of this sketch was formerly a member of the Democratic party and in his younger days he was an active worker in its ranks, though he now holds warm sympathy for the principles of the Prohibition movement, which he supports with his ballot. He is one of the most progressive and influential farmers in Jefferson township and is known far and wide as an honest, upright, honorable citizen.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. BF Bowen, Publisher, Logansport, Ind. 1903, pp. 344-345.

William Beer a resident of Harrison township, removed to Wells county in the year 1861. He is a dealer in dry goods, groceries, and notions. Address, Vera Cruz, Indiana.

Historical Hand-Atlas, With Complete Reference Map of the World, History of Wells Co., IN, Chicago & Toledo: H. H. Hardesty & Co., 1881.

JACOB BEIL, an early settler of Wells County, engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 11, Rock Creek Township, was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, February 10, 1820, his parents, John and Sarah (Earnest) Beil, being natives of the State of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. When our subject was eight years old his parents removed to Trumbull County, Ohio, settling in a dense wilderness, where Jacob was reared on a frontier farm, his education being such as could be obtained in the log cabin subscription schools of that early day. His youth was spent in assisting his father clear and improve his frontier farm, he remaining under the home roof until reaching his majority.

September 23, 1840, he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Harshman, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Harshman, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and of German ancestry. To Mr. and Mrs. Beil were born six children: Philip A., residing in Trumbull County, Ohio; Amanda, wife of Andrew Hafflich, of Union Township, Wells County; Parintha, widow of Joseph Hafflich, late of Rock Creek Township; John E., of Bluffton; Henry A., at home with his parents, and Elizabeth, who died in early childhood. After his marriage Mr. Beil settled on a farm in Trumbull County, Ohio, where he followed agricultural pursuits until he came to Wells County, Indiana, in the year 1864. He then purchased a farm on section 9, Rock Creek Township, where he lived for nine years, when he bought and removed to his present farm on section 10 of the same township, where he has 100 acres of well improved land, which he has acquired by his own exertions, and is classed among the self-made men of his township. In his political views Mr. Beil is a Democrat. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 945-946.

John E. Beil son of Jacob and Catherine (Harshman) Beil, is a surveyor and engineer, residing in Harrison Township, who with his parents removed to Wells County, March 10, 1864. He was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, August 21, 1847. He was married in Wells County, Indiana, September 6, 1873, to Susannah, daughter of John and Harriet (McAffee) Lesh, settlers of Wells County in 1848. She was born in that county, August 21, 1854. Mr. Beil served as Surveyor of Wells County, from the year 1876 to that of 1880. His children are Lillian Lela, born April 10, 1875, and Clarence Genevra, July 5, 1876; are residents of Bluffton. Address, Bluffton, Indiana

Historical Hand-Atlas, With Complete Reference Map of the World, History of Wells Co., IN, Chicago & Toledo: H. H. Hardesty & Co., 1881.

John H. Bender, farmer and stockraiser, section 14, Rock Creek Township, was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, December 1, 1840, the eldest son of John and Barbara (Mast) Bender. When he was ten years old his parents came to Wells County, Indiana, and after living in Bluffton six months, they located in Rock Creek Township, purchasing the farm on which our subject now resides in 1852. He was reared to the avocation of a farmer and received a common school education in the schools of his neighborhood. He was early in life inured to hard work, his youth being spent in assisting his father clear his land. He enlisted in the late war August 15, 1862, and was assigned to Company B, One Hundred and First Indiana Infantry. He went through Kentucky and Tennessee, and participated in many hard fought battles, serving his country until the close of the war. He was honorably discharged August 24, 1865, when he returned to his home in Wells County, and for the following nine years he was engaged in running a threshing machine during the summer, and sawing wood and hulling corn during the rest of the year.

September 23, 1840, he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Harshman, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Harshman, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and of German ancestry. To Mr. and Mrs. Beil were born six children: Philip A., residing in Trumbull County, Ohio; Amanda, wife of Andrew Hafflich, of Union Township, Wells County; Parintha, widow of Joseph Hafflich, September 28, 1870, he was married to Miss Eliza Raver, a daughter of Joseph Raver, of Bluffton, and to them have been born eight children--Cora E., John D. (died, aged three years), Della Jane, William H., Louis Nelson, Charles N., Ada Azora, and one who died in infancy. After his marriage Mr. Bender settled on his father-in-law's farm where he resided nine years. He then removed to the old Bender homestead in Rock Creek Township, which he purchased in 1881, and now owns about 120 acres of choice land well improved under fine cultivation. Mr. Bender began life without capital, but with a determination to succeed, and by his own efforts has acquired his present farm, and by his honorable dealings he has won the respect of the entire community. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic Party. He and his wife are members of the Reformed church, in which they take an active interest. He was elected superintendent of the Sunday-school in 1885, '86, and '87, and under his management the average attendance of the school more than doubled.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 983.
Contributed by Tammy Rable

Jonathan Bender, farmer and stockraiser, Harrison Township, was born in Rock Creek Township, Wells County, October 21, 1854, youngest son of John and Barbara (Mast) Bender. The father was a native of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania of John Bender, also a native of Pennsylvania, and of German Ancestry. The mother was born in Pennsylvania and was also married in that state in 1850. They removed to this county where Mr. Bender purchased an improved farm in Rock Creek Township. The first year he followed milling and the next year he followed teaming. He then engaged in farming until 1879, when he removed to Bluffton, and in July of that year the father died. They were the parents of eleven children, six of whom are living. The mother is still living in Bluffton, and is a devoted member of the Lutheran Church. Politically, Mr. Bender was a Democrat.

Our subject was reared on a farm and remained with his parents until he was of age. He was married August 12, 1875 to Miss Amanda E. Staver, daughter of Jonathan and Minerva (Hoops) Staver, who came from Ohio, and were of German ancestry. Mrs. Bender was born in Rock Creek Township, this county. After their marriage they rented a farm until 1881, when he purchased his present farm containing eighty acres of improved land, on section 6, Harrison Township. Mr. And Mrs. Bender have had four children - Bessie Zenora, Lawrence L., Virgie O., and Advantic N., who died at the age of two years. Mr. Bender is a member of the Christian church, and Mrs. Bender of the Lutheran Church. Politically, he is a Democrat.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887.
Contributed by bearbreath

JOHN G. BENNETT, farmer, Harrison Township, was born in Huntingdonshire, England, January 7, 1827, son of John and Mary (Tansley) Bennett, natives of the same place. His father was in limited circumstances, and he was put to hard work when very yonng, going from one field to another attending to stock. When only nine years of age he was taken from school and went to work for wages on a farm. His work was plowing, for which he received from 37 to 40 cents a week. He made his home with his parents until he was sixteen years of age, then hired out for $25 per year. The second year he received $35, and from that time until twenty-four years of age he received $60 a year. In this way he saved enough money to bring him, in May, 1851, to the United States to make a visit. He was induced by his uncle to remain here, and the following year his parents came. He remained in Chester County, Pennsylvania, a year, and in June, 1852, went to Canada, and thence the following September came to Wells County, Indiana. He worked for Robert Turner in building one mile of plank road on the Bluffton and Fort Wayne road. In the fall of 1852 he and his father made 2,000 rails and chopped 100 cords of wood in the winter of 1852-'53. Besides making a living, all the money he received was a five-franc piece. The following spring he rented a farm of his former employer for one season. The next year he dug wells and quarried rocks in Bluffton at $1.00 per foot, furnishing everything himself. In the summer of 1854 he purchased forty acres of land upon which he now lives, that had very little improvement upon it. He commenced at once to improve his farm, but during the summers of 1856-'7-'8 he was engaged in building a plank road from Warren to Huntington for James Crosbie. Since that time he has been engaged in farming, and from time to time has added to his first purchase until he now owns 184 acres of land, seventy-five acres being in a good state of cultivation. His father died September 16, 1864, aged seventy-five years, and his mother died October 8, 1877, at the age of seventy-four years.

May 19, 1860, he was married to Miss Emma Lafferty, daughter of David and Nancy (Westfall) Lafferty. She was born in Ohio and came to Wells County when four years of age. Of their ten children, six are living: John C., Mary Ann, Ida J., George D., Alice M. and Lena Ellen. George E. died at the age of sixteen months, and three died in early infancy. Mr. Bennett is a member of the Old-School Baptist church, and politically is a Republican.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 815.

JAMES REUBEN BENNETT, grocer, of Bluffton, Indiana, was born in Gallatin County, Kentucky, December 13, 1836. His parents, Abner and Lettitia (Gill) Bennett, were natives of Bracken County, Kentucky, of Scotch descent. In 1835 they moved to Gallatin County, and from there in 1849 moved to Indiana, settling first in Huntington, Huntington County, and removing thence in April, 1851, to Jackson Township, Wells County. At that time the country was very sparsely settled, being dotted here and there with a log cabin, where the sturdy woodman's ax could be heard in all directions opening up the then dense forests. In 1853 they sold out and removed to a farm on the Salamonie River in the same township, on which farm they lived until 1873, when the parents of James R. moved to Bluffton, where the father died September 8 of the same year, aged sixty-three years. The mother still lives, at the age of seventy-three years. They were the parents of five children: James R., William F., who died aged six years; Columbus A. was killed September 23, 1863, at the battle of Chickamauga while serving in the defense of his country; Sarah N., wife of Moses A. Spake, of Bluffton, Indiana, and one that died in infancy. The mother is a prominent member of the Baptist church at Bluffton, as was also the father.

James R. Bennett left his father's farm April 1, 1857, and engaged as a clerk in a general store at Warren, Huntington County, Indiana, some four years, and on April 1, 1861, was married to Judith A. Brower, of Preble County, Ohio, a daughter of Christopher and Mary C. (Bloomfield) Brower. After his marriage he removed back to his father's farm and had charge of that until 1871. From 1861 to 1870 he served as constable about three years, and trustee of his township three and a half years, and in 1870 he was elected recorder of Wells County, and re-elected in 1874 and served until November 1, 1879. From 1879 till 1883 he was engaged in looking after his farm, at which time he engaged in the grocery business at Bluffton, where he has met with gratifying success. Mr. Bennett is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having joined King Lodge, No. 246, at Warren, Indiana, in 1859, and is now a member of both lodge and chapter at Bluffton, and has served his lodge twice as master. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett are the parents of two sons - Howard A. and Dora C., the former aged twenty-four years, and the latter aged twenty-two years. Howard A. is bookkeeper for W. B. Nimmons, of Bluffton, Indiana, and Dora C. is a traveling salesman for Moore Bros., wholesale grocers, of Lima, Ohio.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 858.

WILLIAM HENRY BENNETT, post-master at Bluffton, Indiana, is a native of that city, born July 31, 1853. He is the eldest of three sons, and one of nine children of Robert Collins and Harriet (Deam) Bennett. When he was four years of age his parents moved to Fort Wayne, where they lived until 1872, when they returned to Bluffton. He attended the public school at Fort Wayne while there, and after his return to Bluffton attended the public school a short time, when he engaged in the restaurant business, which he continued until 1879. He then entered the employ of G. F. McFarren, remaining with him until January, 1886, when having received a commission as postmaster at Bluffton from Grover Cleveland, President of the United States, he assumed the duties of that office.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 804.

NOAH BERGMAN, M. D., of Tocsin, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, and with his parents, George and Matilda (Sager) Bergman, came to Jay County, this State, in 1848, locating on a farm. Our subject received his classical education at College Corner in that county, and graduated at that college in 1867. For seven years he was engaged in teaching in Jay County, and in 1873 began the study of medicine under the tutelage of Drs. Jay and Stevenson, of Bryant Station. He matriculated at the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1874, and graduated there in 1875. In 1876 he located in Berne, Adams County, where he practiced his profession eight years. When the new town of Tocsin was surveyed he made a location in the village, and may be accorded the honor of being the first physician to locate inside her limits. He is a gentleman of talent and education, and has enjoyed three years of successful practice in his new home. He was married March 12, 1875, to Miss Euphemia McDonald, of Bryant Station, Indiana. She is a native of Canada, and a daughter of Alexander and Georgiana McDonald, of Scotch ancestry. They have three children: Mary A., Ora D. and William H.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 993-994.

O. B. Bevington was born in Jackson township, Wells county, Indiana, November 6, 1860. He is a son of R. A. Bevington, born May 25, 1819, in Pennsylvania, and who died March 24, 1897. His maternal parent was Catherine (Shadle) Bevington, born in the year 1827, a native of Pennsylvania, who died March 24, 1887. R. A. Bevington, a few years after his first marriage, came to Wells county, Indiana, at a very early day, entered land and cleared up a farm, and remarried, his second wife being Lucy Gill. He then removed into Huntington county, Indiana, where he died. To his first union eleven children were born, six of whom are yet living: Clorinda, the wife of Samuel Knott, a resident of Jackson township; Melissa, the wife of Peter Runkle, of Jackson township, Wells county; Sarah, who is the wife of Dr. Harrold, a resident of Blackford county, Indiana; O. R., of Montpelier, Indiana; Henrietta, the wife of Daniel Alspach, and Oscar, now a resident of Fairmount, Indiana. The deceased children of the first marriage are Emaline E., who was the wife of Isaac Hodson; Martha, Ira and Catherine.

The subject attended the public schools of Jackson township until he was about fourteen years old, when he went to work with his father and remained until he was twenty-four years of age, receiving his board and clothes for his labor. After his mother's second marriage he left home. He then began working by the day for Daniel Alspach, and afterward by the month for Walter Perry, with whom he remained one summer. He then went to Delaware county, Indiana, where he remained from fall until the holidays. He then came to R. A. Bevington's, remaining one year, when he went to Fulton county, Ohio, and was there for about six years. He then came back to Indiana, working by the day and month for about one and a half years, when he married Eva L. Good, a daughter of John Good. She died January 19, 1898. After his marriage, Mr. Bevington moved onto the old homestead, where he remained for about seven years, when he constructed buildings and removed to a farm on which he now lives. After living on this place for about three months he married Elvina Davis, born April 20, 1878, a daughter of John and Mary (Bailey) Davis, both natives of Huntington county, Indiana, the father now deceased. Mr. Bevington is a general stock farmer and has engaged in the breeding and handling of cattle, hogs and horses. In the line of swine he prefers the Poland China breed and is an admirer of shorthorn cattle. He has five fine producing oil wells on his farm, which seem to be holding up well, yielding him a profit of about fifty dollars per month. He has devoted his entire life to farming and farm interests. He is the father of two children, one of whom is living: Martha, born December 16, 1900, died April 12, 1901, and Russell B., born April 12, 1902.

Mr. Bevington was formerly a Republican in politics, but is now a Prohibitionist. Both he and wife are members of the Wesleyan Methodist church in Warren, Indiana, and are exemplary representatives of that worthy denomination. O. B. Bevington is a worthy example of the citizenship which is the product of our common district schools and the sturdy farm life, belonging to that class who naturally take up the vocation of the farm for their life work, and thus become a part of that important and influential element of our population which is the bone and sinew of the county and to whom the nation is indebted for the boundless prosperity which is ours and of which we boast.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. BF Bowen, Publisher, Logansport, Ind. 1903, pp. 180-181.

Among the well known citizens of Harrison township, Wells County, Indiana, is Simon B. Bickel, who was born in Darke county, Ohio, June 27, 1848, and is a son of John and Margaret (Moyer) Bickel, the former a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Butler county, Ohio. John Bickel was reared to farming in his native county, receiving the education usually imparted to farmer’s lads. From Pennsylvania he removed to Butler county, Ohio, with his parents, and was there married to Miss Moyer. He later moved to Darke county, Ohio, where he purchased a tract of five hundred acres of land and for some years was engaged in agricultural pursuits, but later in life conducted a hotel at Hill Grove, Ohio, where his wife passed away at the age of seventy-five years, and where his own death occurred when he had reached the good old age of eighty-eight. Mr. Bickel was a member of the Masonic fraternity and his earthly possessions were quite extensive, he being considered one of the wealthiest men in his part of Ohio. To John Bickel and wife was born a family of eight boys and four girls, viz: Lewis, deceased, John W., Susan, deceased, Henry, Mary Catherine, Simon B. and Alexander (twins), Franklin, William, Minurva J., deceased and Harrison.

Simon B. Bickel was reared to farming on the family homestead, receiving in the meantime a district school education. On February 23, 1871, he married, in Darke county, Ohio, Miss Sarah J. Dougherty, the accomplished daughter of William and Margaret (Studabaker) Dougherty, and sister of Hugh Dougherty, president of the Studabaker Bank. In March, 1875, Mr. Bickel brought his young family from Ohio to Wells county, Indiana, and here agriculture and stock raising have since occupied his attention, in both of which he has met with abundant success in the townships of Lancaster and Harrison. The children born to Simon B. and Sarah J. (Dougherty) Bickel are numbered four, Hugh D., Margaret E., deceased, Bessie E. and Gertrude E. Of these, Hugh married Carrie Swisher; Bessie is the wife of Charles Porter, and Gertrude is still single; she was graduated from the Bluffton high school land also from the Huntington Business College, of Huntington, Indiana.

Mr. Bickel is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, in which he holds an insurance policy on his life for two thousand dollars, believing in the wisdom of making ample provisions for his family at a minimum cost. Mr. and Mrs. Bickel are devoted members of Six Mile Christian church, to the maintenance of which they are liberal contributors and in the promulgation of whose doctrines they feel an earnest interest. In 1902 Mr. Bickel represented his congregation as a delegate to the Eel River conference at Goshen, and is at all times ready to devote his time and means to the promotion of the welfare of the Six Mile church in particular, as well as that of the church in general. The political creed of Mr. Bickel is to be found in the platform of the Democratic party, and he is as active and as energetic in caring for and promoting its interests as he is in advancing to a prosperous consummation every thing he undertakes.

Mr. Bickel’s farm is situated in sections 2 and 11, Harrison township, Wells county, and on this place are several sand and gravel pits, from which has been dug the material necessary for the use of the city of Bluffton for the past twenty years, and since he settled here, in 1892, he has sold the product of his pits to the amount of sixteen thousand dollars. Mr. Bickel cannot and does not complain of the manner in which Dame Fortune has treated him since he has been a resident of Wells county, but he must be awarded the credit of having to a great extent been the directing genius which pointed out to the gentle goddess the course she should take in seeking the road to ultimate success.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. BF Bowen, Publisher, Logansport, Ind. 1903, pp. 504.
Transcribed by Colleen Rutledge

Versatility is said to be one of the first requisities [sic] of genius. Many a man has been considered versatile in one or more callings and hence laid claim to be considered a genius. The genius of Napoleon is generally conceded. He was versatile, but his versatility was almost wholly confined to planning military movements, the winning of the battles and the subjugation of those rulers who incurred his displeasure or did not readily yield obedience to his dictation. Phillips says of Napoleon, "He was through all his vicissitudes the same indomitable, inflexible self—the man without a model and without a shadow." Of Oliver Goldsmith, the poet, historian and dramatist, Dr. Johnson said: "He left no species of literature untouched and touched nothing that he did not adorn." There is no doubt that he was a genius, whose versatility was amply demonstrated.

But true genius, indeed a better and more unquestionable type of genius, may be and often is displayed in the humbler walks of life. The man who can turn his hand to almost any calling may be a genius, but of this class the man who makes a success of all things to which he turns his hand is the real genius. Such a man is the subject of this sketch, Eli C. Bierie, an honored and well respected citizen of Bluffton, Indiana. Though still comparatively young, during his brief business career he has engaged in something like a dozen different lines of business. He has also been a farmer, meat dealer, general merchant, postmaster, notary public, undertaker and minister. In each and all of these various lines those who know him best will testify that he not only acquitted himself most creditably, but that in the pursuit of each he demonstrated a familiarity with the requirements that would require years of patient study from most men to acquire conception of. Success in any calling is to make it remunerative. Measured by this standard, the success of Mr. Bierie in every line of business he has thus far undertaken is beyond cavil or dispute.

Eli C. Bierie was born in Nottingham township, Wells county, Indiana, June 28, 1867. He is the son of Christian and Anna (Sutter) Bierie. Christian Bierie was born June 25, 1820, in Switzerland, and died November 10, 1899, near Domestic, Indiana, at the advanced age of seventy-nine years, four months and ten days. Mr. Bierie came to this country when but four years of age, his parents settling in Wayne county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood, and was married at the age of twenty-eight years to Anna Sutter. About this time he removed to Indiana and settled in Adams county. Later he removed to Wells county, where he was among the early settlers of the county. Seventeen years ago Mr. Bierie's companion was taken from him by death, after having brought up a family of fifteen children, six of whom have since died. Nine children remain, four daughters and five sons. They are John, Anna, Abraham, Mary, Emanuel, Sarah, Susanna, Eli C. and Jacob. John resides on the old home place; Mary is the wife of Marion Shinn; Emanuel lives in Nottingham township, Wells county; Sarah is the wife of Earnest Heche, a carpenter and joiner at Bluffton; Susanna is the wife of Fred Blocher and Jacob resides in Nottingham township. All are prosperous and well-to-do citizens who are highly respected for their worth and integrity. There also survive twenty-one grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

The opportunities for acquiring an education were not as plentiful away back in the 'seventies here in Indiana as they are today. Eli C. Bierie attended the district schools of his township year after year until he was sixteen, that comprising the full extent of the education he received. At that time his services upon the farm were very much in demand. Reluctantly he relinquished his books and turned to the multiplicity of duties always waiting the busy hand of the industrious agriculturist. For the next four years he devoted his entire time to the work of the farm, pursuing his labors with that penetration, intelligence and good judgment that has characterized his work in all the various callings he has undertaken to pursue.

October 28, 1887, Mr. Bierie was married to Miss Elizabeth Beeler, the daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Ashbaucher) Beeler and born April 30. 1870. The mother of Mrs. Bierie is dead, but her father still lives, one of the respected patriarchs of Harrison township. Soon after their marriage Mr. Bierie and his bride settled in Linn Grove, where for two years he very successfully conducted a meat market. Considering the place too circumscribed and his business not sufficiently abundant in opportunities, the family moved to Domestic where Mr. Bierie opened up a general store. In connection therewith he became postmaster, was appointed notary public, engaged in conveying, drafting contracts, writing oil leases and such other work as is usually done in that particular line. Besides this, he was the undertaker of the locality.

From away back in ante bellum days Wells county has been considered hopelessly Democratic. The result of each successive election was considered fully and completely determined when the Democratic county convention had expressed its choice of candidates. Occasionally strifes, dissensions and soreness in the ranks of the opposition inspired a little hope in the breasts of the Republicans that they might elect at least a part of their county ticket, but the result was always the same—solidly Democratic. In 1898, in casting about for some one to lead the forelorn [sic] hope of the Republicans as a candidate for county treasurer, the eyes of the party leaders were at once centered upon Eli C. Bierie, and after some persuasion he was induced to accept the nomination. The canvass that followed was warm, even to the boiling point, but it resulted in the triumphant election of Mr. Bierie, the first Republican ever elected to that office in that county. His administration of the office, like all of his other undertakings, was all that could be desired. Having disposed of his mercantile business on becoming a county official, he invested his funds in a well improved farm of one hundred acres of fine land, all under cultivation except a sugar orchard of twelve acres that is so well cared for and managed that it is a delight to look upon.

At the end of his term, when relieved of the cares, responsibilities and confinement of official life, he felt the necessity of outdoor exercise, hence he engaged for a time as a traveling salesman for Cline & Zimmer, extensive implement dealers of Bluffton. In this vocation, also, success crowned his efforts, but being quite domestic in his tastes the days and nights spent away from home and family became very distasteful to him. After one season he gave up the business and moved his family to the farm, where they have taken up their abode and give attention to the rearing of pure bred stock. Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs are favorites with him. At present it is his intention to take up the undertaking business at his farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Bierie are the parents of three bright, interesting little daughters: Orilla Pearl was born April 28, 1888, Glenna Leona, April 18, 1890, and Florence Alice, February 9, 1893. The family is connected with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which denomination Mr. Bierie was the local minister at Bluffton, but is now a member of Salem Evangelical church. He is also a member of the board of directors of the State Sunday School Association, and district president of the association for the counties of Wells, Adams, Huntington and Allen. He is an active member of Lodge No. 683, I. O. O. F., of Linn Grove, a member of Encampment No. 114, of Bluffton and a zealous Knight of Pythias of the same place. He and his wife are members of the Rebekahs and she belongs to the Rathbone Sisters, of Bluffton. From 1900 to 1902 Mr. Bierie was president of the Wells County Sunday School Association.

From the foregoing it may readily be inferred that Eli C. Bierie is one of those who has lived and is living a life that may well be characterized as strenuous. The ardor with which he enters upon all of his undertakings bespeaks for each of them most gratifying success. Always ardent, never half hearted, when he once decides upon the course to be pursued, there is no letting up or slowing down until the design has been fully and completely accomplished. The story of his life is a lesson to the youth of the land, a practical illustration of what may be accomplished by pluck, perseverance and energy, when properly directed and controlled by intelligent discernment.

In connection with this sketch the following extract referring to the life and death of Mrs. Elizabeth Beeler will be of undoubted interest:
Mrs. Elizabeth Beeler, nee Ashbaucher, wife of Daniel Beeler, died at their home two and one-half miles south of Vera Cruz. For almost seven months she had suffered severely and during that time underwent an operation for an abscess, but found little relief. Her demise was due to a complication of diseases which finally developed into dropsy. Mrs. Beeler was born near Berne, Switzerland, October 18, 1842, and in 1855, when thirteen years old, came with her parents to America. They first settled in Wayne county, Ohio, and moved to Adams county, Indiana, in 1866. In 1868 she was united in marriage to Daniel Beeler and lived on their farm, near Kreps, until her death. To this union were born seven daughters and one son, Mesdames Minerva Studabaker, Ida Studabaker, Elizabeth Bierie, Mary Boyd, and Nancy Hoffman, Misses Emma and Lillie Beeler, and Edward Beeler, all of whom, with the husband, remain to mourn her departure. The Ashbaucher brothers of this city are brothers of the deceased. She leaves six brothers, three sisters, nine grandchildren and a large number of relatives and friends. Her father and mother have preceded her to the spirit land. When but a girl she united with the Reformed church in Wayne county, Ohio, and later transferred her membership to the First Reformed church of Vera Cruz, and remained a faithful member until her death. She loved her church as she loved her home. Mrs. Beeler endured her long sickness with great patience and fortitude and was never heard to complain during her most intense suffering. A short time before her death she called her family to her side and bade each good-bye, imprinting the kiss of love and affection of a wife and mother on the lips of each. The children were asked to take good care of their father and live right se that they might meet her in the heavenly world. Soon afterward she sank into unconsciousness and peacefully passed to her rest in heaven. As a neighbor she was beloved by all who knew her, being at all times in perfect peace and harmony with them. No one knew her but to love her and she loved her family as her own life.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. BF Bowen, Publisher, Logansport, Ind. 1903, pp. 315-318.

Thomas D. Blackburn is a resident of Harrison Township. He removed to Wells County in the year 1879. He was born in Covington, Kentucky, and is the son of Thomas and Matilda (Branyan) Blackburn, residents of Huntington, Indiana. T. Blackburn is a baker and confectioner, keeping in connection a lunch counter. Address, Bluffton.

Historical Hand-Atlas, With Complete Reference Map of the World, History of Wells Co., IN, Chicago & Toledo: H. H. Hardesty & Co., 1881.

In the present essentially utilitarian age the life of every successful man is a lesson which, told in contemporary narrative, is productive of great good in shaping the destiny of others. There is, therefore, a sense of satisfaction and importance in presenting, even in brief resume, the life and achievements of such men, and in preparing the following history of the scholarly young physician of whom this sketch is written, it is with the hope that it may not only prove interesting and instructive, but that it may also serve as an incentive to those who contemplate making the profession of medicine their life work.

Dr. C. L. Blue, the rising young physician of Tocsin, Wells county, Indiana, is the son of the Hon. M. C. Blue, of Lancaster township. He was born in Jefferson township, Wells county, December 16, 1868, and received his early training on his father's farm and in the district schools. Later he attended the Ossian graded schools and also took a three-years course in the Ossian high school. Before completing his high school course he entered the Northern Indiana Normal School and Business College at Valparaiso, Indiana, where he took the course assigned to teachers, and also graduated from the business department of that institution February 24, 1891. He then returned to his father's home and after teaching two terms entered the School of Pharmacy at Chicago, graduating with the class of 1895. He then entered the Fort Wayne Medical College and after three years' study in that institution graduated with the degree of M. D. in the spring of 1898, in the same class with Dr. Fred Metts, of Ossian, Indiana. Immediately after completing his medical education Dr. Blue located in Tocsin, Indiana, where he succeeeded [sic] in building up a large and lucrative practice. His knowledge of medicine not being satisfactory to himself, he went to Chicago in 1901 and took a postgraduate course in the Chicago Clinical School. The Doctor is a close student of his profession and spares no pains to keep in touch with the latest theories advanced in medical science. His reading is extensive and his knowledge of his profession is thorough. He is a member of the Wells County and Indiana State Medical Societies and the American Medical Association, and Fort Wayne Academy of Medicine. He has been vested with the privileges of notary public and also holds the office of deputy health officer of Wells county. He has always given his support to the Democratic party, but owing to his duties as a physician has never taken a very active part in the political affairs of his community.

Dr. Blue is a Mason and a man of many friendships, and stands well in the community in which he has labored since the completion of his education. He is well versed in his profession and makes an excellent citizen of Wells county as well as Jefferson township.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. BF Bowen, Publisher, Logansport, Ind. 1903, pp. 508-509.

JAMES BLUE, a representative of one of the old and honored pioneers of Wells County, resides on section 15, of Lancaster Township, on the homestead established by his father in February, 1840. His father, Uriah Blue, was a native of Miami County, Ohio, a son of Michael Blue, who was born in the same county, and was a son of Uriah Blue, who was the first settler of Miami County. Michael Blue was one of the mounted rangers who rode to the relief of Fort Wayne when besieged during the war of 1812. The Blue family have been intimately connected with the pioneer history nearly one hundred years. Uriah Blue was married to Miss Rachel Moore, and to this union were born nine children: Mary, Lucinda, Michael C., James, Catherine, Elizabeth, Uriah, John (deceased) and Melissa, the last five being natives of Wells County. The father was a carpenter by trade, which he made the principal avocation of his life. In 1838, before coming to Wells County, he had bought eighty acres, and in 1839 entered eighty acres from the Government. He came to the county with his wife and family, which then consisted of four children. He endeared himself to all the early settlers with whom he came in contact by his many manly qualities, and was highly respected by all who knew him. He died at the age of sixty-five years, his widow surviving him about ten years.

James Blue, the subject of this sketch, was but a child when brought by his parents to Wells County, and here he has since made his home. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade, and also mill engineering, and has devoted more time to these pursuits than to farming, which he has followed in different counties in Indiana, and in Allegan County, Michigan. In 1865 he married Elizabeth Myers, a daughter of Jacob Myers, an old pioneer of Lancaster Township, now residing at Murray. To them were born the following children: Willie, who died aged six years; Lulu, James and Franklin. Mrs. Blue died April 22, 1873, aged thirty-four years. Mr. Blue was again married April 26, 1879, to Miss Virginia Bennett, a daughter of Call and Elizabeth Bennett, her father being one of the pioneers of Lancaster Township, and a large land owner. He died about 1866. The mother of Mrs. Blue still lives on the old homestead. Three children have been born to Mr. Blue's second marriage: Merlie E., Estella V. and an infant daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Blue are members of the Baptist church at Bluffton. In politics Mr. Blue affiliates with the Democratic party.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 943.

MICHAEL C. BLUE, farmer, was born in Miami County, Ohio, April 16, 1836, son of Uriah and Rachel (Moore) Blue, who were among the earliest settlers of the Miami Valley. In March, 1840, Uriah Blue emigrated to this county with his family, and settled upon the northwest quarter of section 15, Lancaster Township. He entered this land in 1836. The patent is now in possession of our subject, and bears the signature of President Van Buren. They had four children when they came to the county: Mary, Lucinda, Michael C. and James. Their household goods were transported with teams, and a few cows were driven through. No improvements had been made upon the land, and the family pitched their tent beside a great log. During the night a violent snow storm came up, which almost covered both tent and wagons. Wolves howled on every side, and their snapping teeth, added to their dismal howls, drove the dog inside. Their first introduction to Wells County was anything but pleasant. Word was received by the neighbors who lived down the river that a new family had arrived, and in three or four days a number of them put in an appearance. They helped cut the logs, raise and cover the new cabin, and made the family as comfortable as possible. All were strangers, and Mr. Blue does not remember any of their names, as he was then only four years old. There was not a mouthful of feed for the cattle, and during the spring they became very poor and a part of them perished before the snow was gone. To add to their vexations, the horses strayed away and returned to Miami County. Uriah went after them and was fortunate enough to recover them. The father was a cooper by trade, and was rather an unsuccessful farmer. He finally cleared forty acres, but his chief delight consisted in hunting. He was very successful, and the larder was well supplied with wild meats. Hundreds of deer fell victims to his unerring aim, and the products of the chase maintained his family almost exclusively. Upon his arrival he had $5 in money, $4 of which was expended for four bushels of corn. Being the only cooper in the neighborhood, he made all the barrels, well-buckets and crout-tubs that were used for miles around.

There were no schools in the neighborhood, and our subject was fifteen years old before he could read his first spelling-book, which was purchased with money from the sale of wild blackberries. Sallie Baldwin taught a "select" school at her home, and Michael was one of her first pupils. He early learned the mysteries of the chase, and he also became an expert hunter and trapper. In speaking of his school-boy costume, Mr. Blue says, "My pantaloons were made of dressed buckskin; vest and cap of fawn skin, tanned with the hair on, while moccasins of deer skin ornamented my feet." His father did not favor education in any sense, but Michael was delighted with books. He made barrels until money enough was earned to buy Ray's Third Arithmetic, and he frequently stole out to the woods, where most of his problems were mentally solved. At an early day they had neither lamps nor candles, and Michael would stretch himself on the floor in front of the fire, and with a pile of shavings, lighting one by one, pursued his studies. His persistency brought its reward, and when twenty-five years of age he attended one term at the Murray Academy, and later at Roanoke College. His proficiency entitled him to a certificate, and he taught school in Jackson Township, Huntington County, and later he taught eight terms in this county. While at Roanoke he studied Robinson's Principles of Surveying, and in 1867 was elected surveyor of this county. He has always been accounted very accurate in that profession, and has been on almost every section of land in the county. His commission bears the signature of Governor Oliver P. Morton and Lieutenant Governor Conrad Baker. From the age of twenty-one until his term of auditor expired, Mr. Blue was kept continuously in office, first as constable, then assessor, notary public, surveyor, auditor, and now holds a notary's commission-perhaps does as much business in this line as any other man in the county. In 1870 he was the choice of the Democracy of this county for auditor, was elected and gave the highest satisfaction as an official. Ill-health caused him to seek the country as soon as his term expired, and he has since paid special attention to farming. The eighty acre tract upon which he resides was purchased with the products of his trapping while at home with his parents. At the time he was elected surveyor the office was unsolicited by him; but Joseph Meredith came out to his cabin, a log house, 12 x 14, and found our subject at home; told him they must make a canvass of the county, as election day was close at hand. The house was small, and Michael disliked to ask his guest so step outside while he changed his clothes, so taking his clothes under his arm he retired to the cornfield nearby, and soon returned transformed into a candidate for public favor. Borrowing a horse from Iven Richey, he started with Meredith, and taking in Rockford and Bluffton, returned to his home the same day, and was elected by a handsome majority.

His marriage with Miss Rhoda A. Richey was celebrated May 1, 1866. Their children are: George Clement, Capolis Laird, Lola Z., Fred P. and Don I. After locating in this county, Mr. Blue's parents had five children: Kate, who became the wife of John McDowell; Uriah, a resident of Missouri; Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Kunkle; John, deceased, and Melissa, wife of John Kunkle. The death of the father occurred in 1867, and that of his wife, Rachel, in 1877. Mr. Blue surveyed the village of Tocsin in 1882, gave it its name, and applied for a postoffice. His addition adjoins the village on the west, and his farm is in close proximity to the village. The energy and enterprise of Mr. Blue has made him a wealthy man, and his children are given a liberal education. Inured to hardships from boyhood, he yet is one of the most industrious of men. A handsome residence will soon grace his broad acres, and will overlook the thrifty village he has been so largely instrumental in making.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 986-989.

The following sketch contains the important facts in the life and family records of the Wells County citizen whose name has always stood for all that is honest and of good report in this community, for thrift and business integrity, for a position which all must respect. Mr. Blue's life has been significant not only for its duration, but also for its performance of duties and its strength and usefulness in every one of life's important relations.

Mr. Blue is one of the honored octogenarians of Wells County, and his recollections of pioneer days furnish many items that are valuable as history apart from their significance in his own career. These recollections, recorded at this time, serve to supplement sketches of is lift previously published, and altogether it makes one of the notable chapters in this publication.

Mr. Blue was born in Miami County, Ohio, April 16, 1836. His birthplace was in a log cabin standing on one of the school sections of that county (section 16). He was four years of age, when he accompanied the family to Lancaster Township of Wells County, where they arrived in March, 1840. At that time the Blue family consisted of Uriah and Rachel (Moore) Blue, and their children; Mary, Lucinda, Michael D and James Blue. The Blue family came originally from Virginia and settled first in Kentucky but soon afterward went into the Miami Valley of Ohio. Uriah Blue had entered his land in Lancaster Township in 1836 and the patent still in the family was signed by President Van Buren.

One of the interesting things to know is how the early families traveled when coming to Wells County. The early part of the winter of 1840 was open until the latter part of February, when it began to freeze. The road leading from Miami County, Ohio to Wells County, Indiana was new and for most of the way had just been cut out. There were no bridges over the streams or swamps and in wet mild weather a wagon could have made no progress at all. As soon as the roads would bear up a team and wagon, the parents loaded the wagon with all the household goods it would contain and then in some way managed to put in the children and set out to travel the distance of more than a hundred miles through the woods. After leaving Troy and Piqua they passed no towns except the small settlements of St Mary's and Wilshire, Ohio. Each day they made as much progress as possible and at nightfall camped out by the roadside. Thus after many stages they arrived in section 15, Lancaster Township, where the father had previously located his claim in the northwest quarter. Besides the team of horses that drew the wagon four head of milch cows were driven along. The Blue family arrived at their destination late one evening. The horses and cows were tied to small trees, and Uriah Blue with flint and steel built a fire beside a great log. In this situation they felt themselves completely remote and isolated from all the world, and felt at liberty to say and act as they pleased. But soon after nightfall, the wolves, perhaps regarding them as intruders upon their just rights and territory, set up such a tremendous howling that it shook the wagon in which the parents and children were trying to sleep. Underneath the wagon was the old dog Pointer and he was so frightened that had he been able he would undoubtedly have sought refuge up a tree. Thus the first night spent in Wells County was not without its unpleasant features. But with the coming of morning the wolves sneaked away, the family crawled out from the wagon and at the roll call all were found to be present. The cattle were then set free and also the horses to graze or browse on twigs and grass. Uriah Blue then set busily to work seeking out a spot for the erection of his cabin. It was nearly noon before the preliminaries were finished, and then to the surprise of every one there suddenly came upon the scene some fifteen or sixteen brawny Hoosiers, who unloaded their axes and guns and without special introduction inquired where the house was to be build. When the spot was pointed out, all of them set to work felling trees, splitting clapboards, and with the aid of the family team, Barge and Tongue, the logs were quickly got together and by sunset what was then regarded as an up-to-date cabin was complete, being covered over with clapboards. Every timber that entered into the construction of the cabin had been standing as a tree in the morning, and when the task was completed the neighbors shouldered their guns and axes and went as they came. To the young boy Michael it all seemed like magic, and he never knew who these industrious and helpful men were, whence thy came nor whither they went.

The service performed by them was a most kindly one, since that very night snow of nine inches fell, and the family had every reason to be grateful for their shelter. In the meantime toward evening when they went out to round up their stock, they found the best cow down on the ice. She had ventured out over the frozen surface to get the long grass, and having fallen was unable to get up. As there was no time to bring her in before night, they pulled some of the long grass and made a bed for her, and went home intending to look after her wants in the morning. About ten o'clock that night a tremendous howling of wolves was heard in the direction where the cow lay, and the next morning on going down they found nothing of old Lil but her hoofs, part of her hide, bones and horns. Thus one of the important resources for maintaining the family was removed, and they had to fall back upon the other three cows, Pied, Spot and Cherry.

While all these circumstances were somewhat depressing, it was only a few weeks before the snow melted and the wild wood gloom changed into mirth and joy of springtime. The woods were full of deer, wild turkey, pheasants, squirrels and foxes, and almost every other kind of wild game. At break of day the wild turkey could be heard gobbling in every direction, pheasants drummed, squirrels barked, and these with the singing of wild birds made up the forest symphony which only the oldest settlers can remember. Is was not long before other people began moving in, and a short distance cast of the Blue family four families entered a section of Government land and settled each on one of the inside corners of the section, thus forming a snug settlement. These people were well to do, and soon established a sawmill which was probably the first steam mill in Wells County. Still later there was an addition to its facilities in the form of a corn crusher, which made what was known as "pugney".

All this time the Blue family continued to live on the northwest quarter of section 15. The four children in the meantime became Hoosierized Buckeyes, and waxed in size and took on all the characteristics of thoroughbred Hoosiers. In the meantime other real Hoosiers came out by one into the family circle until there were five native Indianans, whose names were Kate, Elizabeth, Uriah, John and Melissa. Thus the Blue family comprised nine children. These children followed the usual destiny of human kind, grew up, left the old home nest, and went to different parts of the country, and now for many years they have been dropping off one by one until at the end of this writing only two are left, Michael C and Melissa.

Uriah Blue, the father, had only five dollars left after he established his home in the wilderness. He was a cooper by trade, and this was an occupation which could be turned to advantage. The habits of industry and thrift that had been his all his life were also splendid assets to a new settler in a new country. He had always been handy with tools and close to his forest home he opened a general repair shop.. His services were soon in demand by the neighbors for miles around, and gradually his income grew until the family found themselves quite comfortable. When work was slack in the shop the time was occupied in clearing and thus by the practice of unflagging industry and the most rigid economy the Blue family became established in the world. Uriah Blue as the only cooper made all the barrels, well buckets and kraut tubs that were used.

Uriah Blue lived upon his old homestead until his death. He died firm in the faith of the Baptist Church, of which he had been a member many years. He was known as an affectionate husband and father, a good quiet neighbor and as a citizen who was honored and respected far and wide. Of the living children Uriah became a citizen of Oklahoma, and Melissa is the wife of J. O. Kunkle.

When all the circumstances of pioneer times are considered it does not seem strange that some of the most familiar institutions of modern life were neglected. All the energies of the pioneers, even the pioneer children, were required to clear the land, provide better houses, raise more stock and in the practical pursuits of hunting, and thus schools and churches had to be left to the individual enterprise of teachers or missionaries. Michael C Blue was a man grown past his majority before a real free public school system was established in Indiana. He was fully fifteen years old before he could either read or write, although for a brief time he had been one of the pupils of the so-called select school taught by Sallie Baldwin in the neighborhood. Such few schools as were maintained were poorly equipped with books and furniture and wretchedly conducted. Thus at the age of fifteen Mr. Blue knew the letters of the alphabet and might have been able to do a little spelling, but was wholly unable to read. Up to that time work on his father's farm or in the clearing occupied every moment at his disposal; there was no time for study. As he grew older he began to realize the advantages a man of education possessed over the one who was illiterate. It was this that first inspired in him a thirst for knowledge. It grew and developed until it became almost insatiable. With this burning desire to become a scholar he proved the truth of that old precept that where there is a will there is a way. He had no encouragement from his father, who like many of the old pioneers did not favor literary education and regarded skillful hands as much superior to mental ability. The Blue household had no books, and in this respect it was perhaps not different from many other pioneer cabins throughout that section in that day. The woods were full of wild blackberries, and when put on the market at Bluffton they commanded a price of 5 cents a quart. Michael C Blue gathered a few quarts, carried them to Bluffton four miles away, and the money paid him for them he used in purchasing an elementary spelling book. It seems strange that a boy who wore man's trousers would walk four miles to obtain such a book and then hug it close to his bosom all the way home. He also made barrels and invested the returns from this work in a Ray's mental arithmetic. This was his second treasure. His next purchase was a Ray's third part arithmetic. These books were not studied as modern text books are studied, but Mr. Blue practically mastered the contents from cover to cover, and to a large degree the problems and rules of the mental arithmetic were committed to memory. He became so proficient in mathematics and especially in mental arithmetic that some years later when he attended a higher school at Roanoke his abilities quickly brought him to prominence among the students. Each day is was customary for the schoolroom to be divided, and the teacher would give out mental problems to each side alternately. The two classes would choose what was called a "trapper" or leader and it devolved largely upon this leader to maintain the honor of his division. When a problem was submitted, failing which a mark would be registered against that side. Thus though a green and immature boy Mr. Blue was chosen trapper the second week he was in the school.

In the meantime the community where he lived had been giving some attention to schools and schoolhouses. Lancaster Township in a few years had a log schoolhouse in every district. Crude as they were they answered a purpose. Teachers were selected by a vote of the patrons of the school district, and the hiring of such a teacher was in the hands of three directors. During the winter his father's cooperage shop had its busiest season. The work was often so urgent that Michael could not be spared, but he would usually manage to steal away a few odd days each week to attend the neighboring district school One of the older histories of Wells County contains Mr. Blue's description of his schoolboy costume; "My pantaloons were made of dressed buckskin, vest and cap of fawn skin, tanned with the hair on, while moccasins of deer skin ornamented my feet" Such a dress would now excite wonder and admiration, but was probably at that time not an unusual equipment.

Though he attended school only part time, Mr. Blue managed to keep up with his classes by asking the girls, who attended regularly, what the lessons were, and then in the evening after all the rest of the family were in bed and fast asleep he would slip back into the cooper shop, take an armful of shavings, lay them on the hearth and with his head to the fire and from the light of one or two shavings would manage to keep up with his studies and with his class. This earnest effort took him along in his school work until in a few years he was given a license to teach a common school. He taught a term, and with the proceeds attended a select school at Murray. His record in the school at Murray was so satisfactory that it convinced his father that school attendance did not have as its chief result the making of rogues of boys. Thus converted, the father instead of attempting to keep his son at home, actually urged him to attend a higher school at Roanoke and take special course in surveying and engineering. Being proficient in mathematics, Mr. Blue quickly mastered the details of his technical education, and that training proved the key which unlocked a way to his subsequent official career.

As an admiring friend of Mr. Blue wrote some years ago; "By the time he arrived at the age of manhood Michael C Blue had acquired an education equal to that of any young man in Wells County and far superior to many. By teaching he had secured the means to attend school at Murray and later took a course at the Roanoke Seminary. In mathematics he especially excelled, which led him to undertake the higher branches, algebra, geometry and trigonometry, which he soon mastered and was before long reckoned as one of the most accomplished civil engineers in the northern half of the state."

At the close of the term at Roanoke his teacher, Mr. Reefy, who was school examiner as well as professor, gave examinations to a number of the advanced scholars and granted a two years' license to three of the pupils, including Mr. Blue. This license entitled the teachers to $2 per day for their services, while the other grades of license commanded wages of only $1.50 a day. With the certificate Mr. Blue taught school in Jackson Township of Huntington County, and for eight terms was successfully engaged in teaching in Wells County.

After the close of his school career Mr. Blue found himself in possession of savings amounting to $700, partly from his work as teacher and also by his ability in the chase. At that time fur brought a good price, and was easy to obtain by a good hunter. Mr. Blue invested his savings in eighty acres of land, put up a cabin home, and for more than two years lived in this alone, teaching in the winter and clearing up the land in the summer.

At that stage of his prosperous affairs, on May 1, 1866, he married Miss Rhoda A Richey. He took his bride into a small log cabin, and there began housekeeping. Mrs. Blue was a daughter of William S Richey, one of the early pioneers of Wells County. A few years ago a friend and admirer of Mr. Blue, and one of the latter's students when Mr. Blue was a teacher, wrote without the knowledge of the subject a most interesting sketch which was published in a former work on Wells County. This sketch begins with a splendid tribute to Mrs. Blue, and that portion is quoted as follows:

"Gratifying indeed must it be to the good wife and mother, as she descends the latter half of life's slope, to know that the man she loves, the husband of her youth and father of her children, attributed to her every success that has come to him in life. The more exalted the station he holds, the higher the honors that are his, the more brilliant his success, the greater the joy that thrills her heart in knowing that to her wifely care and solicitude much if indeed not all of it is attributable and that the lover of her girlhood, whose love has only intensified with the lapse of time, accords to her the full praise and credit for having made him what he is. Such a wife and mother is Mrs. Rhoda Richey Blue, wife of Hon M C Blue. Beginning life heavily handicapped by poverty, unable to read or write at the age of fifteen, he managed to acquire a liberal education, particularly in mathematics, served his county as surveyor, afterwards as auditor, and later his seat in the halls of legislation. All of this he credits to his wife. It is not that he lacked the material in himself to accomplish it, but without her to guide, direct and inspire him with the unalterable purpose to dare and do, he would have been swerved from his course many a time and might have relinquished the struggle in discouragement." And still later the same writer speaks of her as follows: "She is a lady of many accomplishments, of refinement and education, a woman of splendid intelligence and sound discernment who is never deceived by blandishments and sophistry. To her penetration, good judgment and expedition in arriving at correct conclusions her husband says that he is indebted for all that he has been since he met her, all that he now is or ever hopes to be. This is a very high tribute to the sagacity and virtues of the good lady, but it is one that is verified by all her friends and acquaintances in Wells County, and their name is legion."

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Blue was blessed with six children, five of whom are still living. George Clement, born November 15, 1867; Dr. Capolas Laird, born December 16, 1868; Ulvin A, Born January 21, 1870 and died in infancy; Lola Zilmy, born July 3, 1871; Winfred Phineas, born April 10, 1875; and Don I, born September 23, 1882.

A short time after Mr. and Mrs. Blue had begun housekeeping, a Baptist minister named Joseph Meredith, came out from Bluffton and asked Mr. Blue if he did not want to be elected county surveyor. Mr. Blue answered the question in the affirmative, but his wife promptly said no. However, Mr. Blue and the visitor were in the majority and overruled her objections. The little log house of the Blue family contained only one room. Mr. Blue disliked to ask his guest to step outside while he changed his clothes so taking his better garments under his arm he retired to the cornfield nearby and soon returned transformed into a candidate for public favor. He borrowed a horse of a neighbor and started out with Mr. Meredith, who introduced him to the people and made a canvass for his election. The first point they stopped at was Rockford, after which they went through Bluffton and on to Newville. After this electioneering Mr. Blue returned home and at election day he was chosen by a large majority. That was in 1867. His commission as surveyor bore the signature of Governor Oliver P Morton. At that time the county was fast settling up and the demand for surveying was great. So he was during the first summer called in almost every section of the county and in that way during his four years of office became acquainted with practically every resident. Toward the close of his four year term a friend from over in Jackson Township urged him to become a candidate for the office of county auditor. He was put on the democratic ticket of 1870, and was elected, thus stepping from one county office into the other. Mr. Blue has always felt extremely grateful to the people of Wells County for the confidence they manifested in his judgment and ability at different times, but it is the general opinion that he has given full value received for every honor bestowed upon him. He filled many minor offices, such as constable, assessor, notary public and finally was accorded two terms of membership in the State Legislature. He represented his county with distinction and was author of or instrumental in the passage of many valuable laws.

After retiring from his second term in the Legislature in 1895 Mr. Blue resolved fully never again to accept an office of any kind or to engage in political strife. He had learned that lesson which most men who are in public affairs learn sooner or later that no one can be a successful politician and at all time do unto others as he would have them do unto him. He therefore settled down to the business of farming, and spent most of his time looking after his 400 acres of farm land, in handling the crops, raising stock and buying and shipping livestock. In 1910, when his youngest son married, the parents put him on the home place and then moved to Tocsin, where it was their intention to give over their strenuous labors and take life leisurely. Soon after he retired Mrs. Blue was taken ill and was moved for treatment to the hospital at Fort Wayne, where the best medical skill was employed. Mr. Blue was informed that medical science could not avail and he was advised to take Mrs. Blue back home and employ a trained nurse and give her the best of care to make her comfortable. She passed away in February, 1912, in the blessed assurance of immortality and salvation through a Saviour's love. Thus a companionship of rare felicity and mutual benefit was ended which had begun forty-six years before. Since the death of his wife Mr. Blue has found solace in his children and in attending church at Emmaus Church almost every Sunday and acting as class leader and teaching the Men's Bible Class. At one time Mr. Blue was a member of the Masonic Lodge at Bluffton.

Mr. Blue had a prominent part in establishing the town of his present residence. In 1882 he surveyed the Village of Tocsin, gave it its name, and made the application for a post office there. His farm lands are close to the village, and some years ago he laid out an addition to the town.

Though it was written fourteen years ago, the sketch already referred to contains a tribute to Mr. Blue which is still essentially true. "He has traveled much and read deeply, and is possessed of good memory and a most commendable habit of observation which has stored his mind with facts ever convenient to be drawn upon. He is a fluent speaker, who on occasions rises even to eloquence. In private conversation he is delightfully companionable, a man who the most casual acquaintance would treat with deference, and whom the stranger would readily mark as a personage of deserved prominence."

Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties Indiana. John W Tyndall for Adams Co and O. E. Lesh for Wells County. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1918, pp. 544-550.

John Boswell was born in Champaign County, Ohio, December 28, 1820. He resides in Liberty Township; settled in Wells County, November 3, 1880. He was married in Champaign County, Ohio, January 5, 1840. His wife, Mary (Smith) Boswell, is the mother of Joseph S., born November 15, 1840, a resident of Howard County, Indiana; David S., March 5, 1843, resides in Huntington County, Indiana; Amanda, November 25, 1845, resides in Grant County, Indiana; Sarah, November 28, 1847, resides in Wilson County, Kansas; Emily, October 15, 1849, died October 21, 1868; Roam, June 14, 1852, resides in Grant County, Indiana; Andrew J., January 3, 1855, resides in Huntington County, Indiana; John S., February 5, 1857, died June 12, 1860; Conant, April 8, 1859, died April 20, 1860; Asa, February 2, 1861, resides in Huntington County ; Clement V., February 1, 1864, resides in Liberty Township. Joseph S. and David S. served in the late war, both members of the 101st Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. David S. is a Methodist minister; Andrew J. is a physician, practicing at Antioch, Huntington County; Asa is a school teacher at the same place. All are members of the Methodist church. Mrs. Boswell is a daughter of David and Barbara (Taylor) Smith. She was born in Champaign County, December 20, 1820. John Boswell's parents are John and Martha (Corder) Boswell. The latter died in Grant County, Indiana. Address, Worthington Crossing.

Historical Hand-Atlas, With Complete Reference Map of the World, History of Wells Co., IN, Chicago & Toledo: H. H. Hardesty & Co., 1881.

JOHN BOWMAN, merchant and post-master at Tocsin, was born near Massillon Stark County, Ohio, and came with his parents, Richard S. and Mary (Shaffer) Bowman, to Wells County in October, 1857. The family then consisted of the parents, our subject and his brother Byron. The family located on a farm near Bluffton, where the parents still reside. One daughter, Jennie, was born in this county, now the wife of Ross Cherry, and resides at the homestead. Byron married Maggie Ulmer, and is a merchant at Bluffton. Our subject was reared upon a farm, where he acquired a practical education which was completed at the Bluffton High Schools. He engaged in the mercantile trade in that city in January, 1886, and November 5 of that year he became a resident of the new village of Tocsin, purchasing the stock of goods formerly owned by Samuel Kunkle. His goods in Bluffton were sold prior to his removal, to Albert Shepherd, and Mr. Bowman now devotes his time and attention to the mercantile trade in Tocsin. His is the only store in the village, and he carries a large stock and does an extensive business. He was married December 27, 1876, to Elizabeth E. Williams, daughter of James S. Williams, a resident of this county, who has lived within her boundaries forty-two years. Four children have been born to this union— Harry O., Louis E., Albert and Jesse W. The latter is deceased. Mrs. Bowman died December 18, 1885, and March 17, 1887, Mr. Bowman married Eliza J. Archibold, who was born near Tocsin, Wells County. Mr. Bowman was appointed postmaster of Tocsin January 31, 1886, vice Samuel Kunkle, resigned in 1886.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 804-805.

MATTHIAS W. BOWMAN is the resident manager of the business of Ferguson & Bowman, lumber manufacturers, at Murray Station, Lancaster Township. The property is situated in the center of section 16, where they own 260 acres of land adjoining their steam saw-mill, the timber from this land being manufactured into lumber by themselves, and the land being as fast as cleared placed under cultivation. Their mill is 30 x 104 feet, with a fifty horsepower engine, and was erected in 1882. Since acquiring the property the firm have made quite extensive improvements, among the most noticeable being Mr. Bowman's fine residence, near the mill, and a large barn. Mr. Bowman is a native of Ohio, born in Columbiana County, February 21, 1843, and is a son of Henry and Harriet (Armstrong) Bowman. In 1854 he was brought by his parents to Allen County, Indiana, his parents still living on their property in La Fayette Township. They were natives of Columbiana County, Ohio.

Our subject remained under the home roof until he enlisted in the war of the Rebellion, when he became a member of Company D, One Hundred and Thirtyseventh Indiana Infantry, He was mustered into the service May 1, 1864, for 100 days. He was in service principally in Tennessee until his discharge, September 21, 1864, when he returned to his home in Allen County, and engaged in teaching for about two years. He was married in April, 1866, to Miss Sarah Crab, a daughter of William Crab, who resides in La Fayette Township, Allen County. Mrs. Bowman died in 1870, aged twenty-three years, and December 23, 1874, Mr. Bowman married Miss Elizabeth Wilkerson, who was born in Clinton County, Ohio, but reared in Allen County, Indiana, her father, Thomas Wilkerson, being a resident of La Fayette Township. In 1869 Mr. Bowman engaged in the lumber business with his father in Allen and Huntington counties, continuing until 1878, when the firm became Ferguson & Bowman. In 1882 they transferred their business to its present location, Mr. Ferguson residing at Ferguson Station, Allen County. Mr. Bowman has charge of the railroad business at Murray Station. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Bluffton Lodge, No. 145, and Chapter No. 95. He is also a comrade of Lew Daily Post, G. A. R, at Bluffton.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 834.

The average yearly accumulation of the American working man, in dollars and cents, is not large. The great majority find it impossible to make any saving whatever. There are, however, a few who manage to lay aside a little and by its assistance, after years of privation, self-denial and the fortunate investment of their hoardings, manage to secure a competency. Few are able to accomplish what William E. Bowman, the subject of this sketch, did in seven years. With his own labor and that of a team of horses on a rented farm, he managed to pay expenses and save, in a period of seven years, the sum of three thousand eight hundred dollars, an average saving of about five hundred and forty-three dollars a year. William E. Bowman was born November 22, 1861, in Stark county, Ohio. He is the son of Adam and Charlotte (Shick) Bowman, natives of Ohio, where they resided on a farm up to the time they moved to Elkhart county, Indiana. Later they moved into Harrison township, Wells county, where they have resided ever since. They were the parents of ten children, all of whom are living, viz: Charles, a resident of Elkhart; Samuel, a resident of Elkhart; William E., the subject of this sketch; Anna, wife of Philip Househoulder, resides in Harrison township; John, a resident of Bluffton; Henry, a resident of Bluffton; Frank, a resident of Elkhart; Adam, a resident of Cass county, Michigan; Ida, wife of James Cherry, of Bluffton; Edward, a resident of Bluffton.

When William E. Bowman was old enough to attend school he was more fortunate than many who preceded him, in having good schools, comfortable school buildings, model text books and efficient teachers. He attended school in Harrison township each winter until he was eighteen years of age and profited by the instruction he received. He then began working for wages, making his home, however, with his parents. Up to the time of his marriage he worked by the day, week, month or job as he was able to secure employment. He was prudent and provident. He knew how he got his money and very little of it escaped from him without bringing him some returns. On the day of his marriage he was the owner of a good team of horses, a wagon and one hundred and ninety dollars in money.

On the 22nd day of March, 1889, he was united in marriage to Miss Rachael Funk, a daughter of Absalom and Margaret A. (Bower) Funk, well-to-do residents of Wells county. Immediately after marriage the young people took up their residence on the Funk farm, where they resided for six years. He worked with his team and at such jobs as he could procure, doing only enough farming to procure feed for his team. After trying this for six years he discovered that there was little in it more than a bare living. This determined him to change his policy. He rented the Sol DeLong farm in Harrison township and devoted himself assiduously to the management of that farm for seven years. At the end of that time he had saved enough money to justify him in purchasing an eighty-acre tract of land of his own. He selected a nice piece of land and bought it, paying three thousand eight hundred dollars cash for it, every dollar of which he accumulated during the seven years he had been living on rented farm. March 1, 1901, he took up his residence on his new purchase and began improving the land. Since then he has ditched, fenced and cleared this land, making it a most valuable farm. He carries on general farming, raising grain, hay, vegetables and stock of all kinds. He gives his preference to shorthorn cattle, but considers the cross between the Poland China and Berkshire the most desirable in hogs. The greater part of his farm is now under cultivation. To Mr. and Mrs. Bowman four children have been born, Carrie, Cora, Hugh and Bert. Mrs. Bowman is a member of the German Reformed church, a regular attendant upon its services and a liberal contributor to its support. Mr. Bowman is a member of Washington Council No. 5, Order of United American Mechanics, of Bluffton, is an active member and much interested in the work. In politics he is a Republican, sufficiently liberal to accord to others the privilege he takes to himself, that of voting for whom he pleases. He and his brother-in-law, John Funk, have just returned from an extensive trip through the principal large cities of the east. where they saw much that was entertaining, instructive and amusing. They visited Atlantic City, Philadelphia, Jersey City, New York City, Brooklyn, Baltimore and Washington City, taking in all places of interest in each, returning by way of Cincinnati. The industry, prudence and thrift of Mr. Bowman is most commendable, all the more so because neither selfish nor parsimonious, but he wants to see proper, legitimate return for every dollar he expects. If all good citizens were equally careful in money matters, the latter days of many good men and women would not be, as they frequently are, embittered by poverty.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. BF Bowen, Publisher, Logansport, Ind. 1903, pp. 348-350.

PHILIP BRANER, deceased, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, July 15, 1815, a son of Simon and Elizabeth (Maddox) Braner, who were natives of the State of Pennsylvania, the father being of German ancestry. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and followed the avocation of a farmer through life. His education was such as could be obtained in the rude log cabin subscription schools of that early day. He remained under the home roof with his parents until his marriage, September 19, 1839, to Miss Sarah Fogle. She was born in Greene County, Ohio, November 4, 1819, a daughter of Jacob and Mary W. (Braner) Fogle, her father being a native of Germany, coming to America when a child, and her mother being a native of the State of Pennsylvania. They were among the pioneers of Greene County. After his marriage Mr. Braner followed farming in Montgomery County until 1842, when he came with his family to Wells County, Indiana, and purchased forty acres of heavily timbered land on section 27, Rock Creek Township, which he began immediately to clear and improve. They came to the county in limited circumstances, and in exchange for part of their land they gave two horses and one cow, while they cleared land to pay for the balance. Here they experienced all of the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life, and by years of toil and persevering energy they cleared their land and added to it at different times until they now own 240 acres of improved land under good cultivation. Mr. Braner was one of the public-spirited men of his township and always took an interest in public affairs, and for a time served as township trustee. His death, which occurred April 16, 1885, was a source of universal regret. He left a widow who still resides on the old homestead, and eight children, as follows: Mary A., wife of Philip Jones; Elizabeth, wife of James Ellingham; Jacob married Margaret Miller; Joseph married Jane Capp; Susannah, wife of Jacob C. Maddox; John married Miranda A. Sutton; William married Margaret J. Brown; Martha, wife of Calvin L. Davis.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 904.

HENRY CLAY BRANNUM is the general manager of the Brannum & Mercer Lumber Company, of Montpelier, Indiana. The study of the character of the representative American never fails to offer much of pleasing interest and valuable instruction. The life work of him whose name heads this sketch, fraught with good results, is most worthy of record. The man who by patient perseverance, arduous effort and well conceived and properly executed plans succeeds in winning prosperity, and a rank among the foremost in commercial circles demonstrates what can be accomplished by determined will and ability, and furnishes an example well worthy of emulation. Such a man is Mr. Brannum.

Our subject was born in Fairfield, Indiana, May 15, 1831, and is a son of Samuel and Nancy (Ball) Brannum. He has descended from an early family of North Carolina, where lived four brothers, -- William, Samuel, Michael and Aquilla Brannum. The first named, the grandfather of our subject, was born February 17, 1774, and his children were John, born May 29, 1797; James, born April 12, 1799; Samuel, born May 25, 1801 ; Sarah, born October 26, 1803; William, born April 24, 1806; Thomas, born July 27, 1808; Aquilla, born November 24, 1814; and Esther, born February 26, 1817. The last named died in childhood.

The father of our subject removed with his parents to New Madrid, Missouri, where they lived at the time of the earthquake there. They were also residents of Arkansas. He was probably married in the former State to Miss Nancy Ball, who was born in Massachusetts in 1808. Mr. Brannum engaged in buying horses, but they were stolen by the Indians. He afterward cut cord-wood, at twenty-five cents per day. Taking up his residence near Liberty, Indiana, he there engaged in operating a sawmill, in 1831, and he went to Fairfield, Indiana, where he assisted his father-in-law, Mr. Ball, who was there teaching school. In 1851 he removed to Chester township, Wells county, locating one mile from Keystone, Indiana. His possessions at that time consisted of an eighty-acre farm, $4 in money, a gray horse, a buggy and a wagon. He erected a residence, began the cultivation of his land, and prospered in his undertakings, winning a comfortable competence. There he resided until his death, which occurred January 12, 1877. He was a strong Union man, and from the time when he supported Fremont in 1856 was an ardent Republican. He was also a warm advocate of Henry Clay.

From the age of sixteen years the subject of this review, Henry Clay Brannum, has been dependent on his own resources. He at that time began learning the carpenter's trade and subsequently engaged in contracting and building, which he followed until twenty-four years of age. He spent his early life in Union, Wells and Blackford counties, Indiana. In 1861 he located in Chester township, Wells county, that he might care for his aged parents, and made his home in that neighborhood for nine years, when in 1870 he came to Montpelier. Here he established a hardware and implement store, which he successfully conducted until 1887, when he traded the business to George A. Mason for 160 acres of land in Jackson township, Wells county. There he lived for three years, after which he returned to Montpelier and became manager of the Mercer & Brannum lumberyard. He became a partner in the business by purchasing the interest of H. H. Bennett, and in 1892 the business of the Mercer & Brannum Lumber Company was removed to its present location. Their annual shipments amount to one million feet of lumber. They ship thirty car-loads of lumber per month on an average, and in July, 1895, their shipments amounted to fifty car-loads. They carry in stock everything needed in the erection of a house. William S. Brannum, a son of our subject, now living in Chicago, has been admitted to a partnership in the business and a branch establishment has been located in that city. They now have an office in the Marquette building and the Chicago headquarters are now the principal point of orders and shipments. The firm also conducts a lumber business at Hartford City, Alexandria, Elwood and Eaton, all in Indiana. The firm of Mercer & Brannum is now at the head of one of the largest lumber industries in the State, a business which has not only proved a profitable one to them but has also aided greatly in promoting the material welfare of the various towns where the yards are established.

Mr. Brannum's interests and capabilities are by no means limited to one line of endeavor. In the spring of 1894 he aided in the organization of the Royal Oil Company, the officers of which are Charles Spence, president; E. G. Cottinghan, vice-president; H. C. Brannum, treasurer; and George Ely, general manager. These gentlemen, in connection with Jo G. Brannum, of Alexandria, Indiana, were the organizers. They leased 4,400 acres of land in one body and sunk five wells.

On the 3d of October, 1856, Mr. Brannum was married in Dunlapsville, Union county. Indiana, to Miss Rebecca, daughter of William and Martha (Cory) Johnson. She was born May 19, 1836, in Cheviot, a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio. Her father was born near Trenton, New Jersey, August 27, 1808, and died at the home of Mrs. Brannum December 10, 1893. He married Martha Cory March 13, 1834, in Union county, Indiana. She was born in Brookville, Franklin county, Indiana, February 16, 1813, and died in Liberty, this State, January 25, 1888. Her father, Jeremiah Cory, was born in Pennsylvania May 29, 1786, of Scotch ancestry, was a tanner by trade, and became one of the earliest settlers of Franklin county. His death occurred in May, 1873. Daniel Johnson, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Brannum, died July 9, 1828, at the age of fifty years.

To Mr. and Mrs. Brannum were born nine children: Mary Alice, born July 23, 1857, became the wife of John Perfect McGeath March 15, 1880, and died September 8, 1893. Annie, born June 30, 1859, died February 26, 1862. William Samuel, born September 7, 1861, was married May 28, 1885, to Elna McGrew, and has two children: James Harry, born April 26, 1887; and Marjorie, born November 12, 1894. Joseph Grant, born October 28, 1863, was married January 18, 1893, to Lenora McLead, and is engaged in the lumber business at Alexandria, Martha Etta, born March 19, 1866, died October 29, 1869. Nancy Irene, born June 8, 1868, died November 1, 1869. George, born August 5, 1870, died two days later. Lizzie Edith, born October 25, 1872, married Oscar Bevington, foreman of the lumber-yard in Montpelier; the wedding was celebrated February 12, 1890, and they have three children -- Grace May, born November 28, 1890; Catherine Cairo, born September 23, 1892; and Frederick Grant, born November 12, 1894. Grace, the youngest of the family, was born July 31, 1876, and is now bookkeeper in her father's office. The family attend the Methodist Church, and Mr. Brannum is a Republican in politics. Socially, he is a Knight Templar Mason, having been connected with that fraternity since 1856, while since 1855 he has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has always been known for his prompt and honorable methods of dealing, and has both deserved and received the unbounded confidence of his fellow citizens. His own interests have now become extensive and varied, and his life fairly illustrates what one may achieve who is actuated by a worthy ambition to make the most and best of his opportunities and talents

Memorial Record of Northeastern Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1896, pp. 240-242.

DANIEL G. BRECHBILL, a progressive agriculturalist of Rock Creek Township, where he is engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 29, was born in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, the date of his birth being January 18, 1841, a son of John and Sarah (Garmon ) Brechbill. His people were also natives of the State of Pennsylvania, and were of German descent. When he was four years old his father died. He lived with his mother until sixteen years of age, his youth being spent in working on a farm, beginning to work at an early age. At the age of sixteen years he began learning the carpenter's trade, at which he served an apprenticeship of two years, after which he worked as a farm hand for some time. In 1862 he came to Wells County, Indiana, and located at Murray, where he worked at his trade until August, 1862, when he enlisted in the war of the Rebellion. He was assigned to Company B, One Hundred and First Indiana Infantry, and participated with his company in many hard-fought battles, including Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and Jonesboro. He was with Sherman on his march to the sea, and participated in the grand review of Sherman's army at Washington, D. C. He served until the close of the war, and received an honorable discharge July 2, 1865, when he returned to Wells County and followed his trade for one year.

He was married December 2, 1865, to Miss Maria Raver, a daughter of Joseph Raver, and of the eleven children born to this union eight still survive - Mary C., John H., Frank W., Cora A., Almeda M., Della May, Morris E., and Artia M. Sarah E., Laura E., and an infant unnamed are deceased. Mr. Brechbill lived on rented land for nine years after his marriage, when in 1874 he purchased his present farm, which contains fifty acres of well-improved and highly-cultivated land. In his political views Mr. Brechbill is a Democrat, and has served his township as constable for three years, to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. Both Mr. and Mrs. Brechbill are members of the Reformed church.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 904.
Contributed by Tammy Rable

ANDREW J. BRICKLEY, of Union Township, was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, son of Andrew J. and Jane A. (Wolfcade) [sic] Brickley, who reared a family of eleven children in Ohio, and all except two eldest sons and one deceased came to Indiana in 1864, settling in Huntington County. Two sons, John W. and Martin V., came previous to this date, settling in Wells County. A sister, Samantha, came the next year after the eldest brother made a location. Of the children living besides the three mentioned are - Milo, Andrew, Benjamin, Franklin A. and George W. Three unmarried daughters died in Ohio. Andrew J. was sixteen years of age when he first became a resident of Huntington County, and he remained with his father until he reached his majority.

When twenty years old he was married to Miss Sarah E. Haflich, daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Baney) Haflich. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, and married in Ohio. They settled near Crestline, Richland County, where six children were born - Adaline, Caroline, Catherine, Hannah, Louisa and Sarah. The family removed to this State, settling in Rock Creek Township, Wells County, on a farm now owned by William Cover. Here the parents remained until their decease. The children were all married previous to the death of their parents - Adaline became the wife of William Maddox; Caroline married John A. Dilley; Catherine is now Mrs. John W. Brickley; Hannah is the wife of Solomon Brown; Louisa married William Cover, and Sarah became the wife of our subject January 16, 1868.

Mr. and Mrs. Brickley commenced housekeeping on the farm of Mr. Brickley's father in Huntington County, and four years later Andrew purchased a farm in Union Township, this county. After clearing away the trees he built a small frame barn, into which they moved. The land was still in its original condition. The same fall a frame house was built, which they at once proceeded to occupy. Two children, Liberta E. and Clement A., were born in Huntington County, and Minnie M. was born in this county. They lived on this farm until the new town of Banner was surveyed and platted. Levi Waikel had already engaged in the mercantile business, and our subject in the spring of 1883 purchased the stock and fixtures, taking possession of the goods, and in the autumn of that year erected a handsome residence. Two years later he sold out to John Taylor and purchased a grist-mill at Kelseyville, Allen County, intending to remove it to Banner City. Later he brought the machinery to the village, placed it in position, and now operates with his machinery the handle and ball bat factory of the Miller Bros. In connection with this his machinery furnishes the motive power for the saw-mill of Levi Waikel, which began to operate in 1886. A mill has been erected for grinding feed, and he has all the machinery for making flour. Although a young man he is a pioneer in this branch of business in the new town. During the late war Milo was drafted in Ohio, but his father procured a substitute. John W. and Martin V. were drafted after their removal to Indiana. John was disabled and rejected; Martin served during the remainder of the war, was discharged, was taken sick on the way home and died in ten days after his return.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 769-770.

GEORGE BRICKLEY, deceased, was a native of the State of Pennsylvania, and when a young man removed to Trumbull County, Ohio, where he made his home for many years. He was married in Trumbull County, to Miss Belinda Wolfcale, a native of that county. To them were born ten children, all of whom came with them to Wells County, Indiana, in 1851. Their eldest daughter, Mary, is the wife of Abram Woodward and now lives in Ossian, Wells County; Peter is a prosperous farmer of Lancaster Township; Alfred resides in Rock Creek Township; Elizabeth married Harrison Taylor, and both died in Rock Creek Township; Mrs. Nancy Jane Ogden resides in Bluffton; John died in early manhood; Lewis is a prominent business man of Bluffton; Wesley resides at Markle, in Huntington County; Mrs. Isabella Zink lives in Union Township, and Mrs. Laura Allen lives at Markle. On coming to Wells County with his family Mr. Brickley located on section 1, Rock Creek Township, where he improved a farm on which he resided about fifteen years. He then sold his homestead and bought land near Markle, Huntington County, where he lived until his death, which occurred in 1878 at the age of sixty-seven years. His widow still survives, and is making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Allen, at Markle.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 795-796.

J. A. BRICKLEY, member of an old and prominent family of Wells County, resident here since the early '50s, has contributed not a little to the prestige of the family name by his individual career as a successful teacher and latterly as a banker at Uniondale.

Mr. Brickley was born in Rock Creek Township of Wells County October 8, 1870, a son of Alfred and Barbara (Haflich) Brickley. His grandfather was George Brickley, who was born in the State of Pennsylvania and when a young man removed to Trumbull County, Ohio. He married there Miss Belinda Wolfcale and they became the parents of ten children. In 1851 the family came to Wells County, locating in section 1 of Rock Creek Township, where George Brickley improved a farm and made it his home for about fifteen years. After that he moved to Huntington County, bought another farm, and died there in 1878 at the age of sixty-seven. Several of his children became well known citizens of Wells County.

Alfred Brickley was born in Ohio, as was his wife, but grew up in Wells County and spent an active and prosperous career as a farmer in Rock Creek Township. He died July 19, 1907, and his wife on April 25, 1916. Their children were: William, deceased; Sarah, deceased; Katherine, who married John Ditzler; Anna, deceased; John Milo; Lewis, who married Alice Nash; Andrew, who married Mary Lang; Mary, who became the wife of John Gardenour; Joshua; Cora; Nettie, deceased; George, who married Alice Crum; and Joshua A.

J. A. Brickley grew up on his father's farm and obtained the larger part of his education in the public schools of Sugar Grove, Rock Creek Township. At the age of twenty he qualified as a teacher, and was actively engaged in educational work in different parts of his native county from 1890 until 1908. He left the schoolroom to take a place in the State Bank of Uniondale, of which he is now cashier. He has been cashier of that institution since it was organized and is also one of its directors. Mr. Brickley is affiliated with Uniondale Lodge No. 259, Knights of Pythias, and Ossanippa Tribe No. 357 of the Improved Order of Red Men at Uniondale. He is a democrat in politics and a member of the Lutheran Church.

On November 11, 1911, Mr. Brickley married Miss Cecile Lesh, daughter of James and Sarah (Staver) Lesh of Union Township. The Lesh family have been residents of Wells County for several generations. Mrs. Brickley's brothers and sisters are: O. E. Lesh, who married Margaret Stine; Ada, wife of Ray Bumphrey of Huntington, Indiana; Grace, unmarried; Ella, wife of Amber Orr of Warren, Ohio; and Edna, wife of Charles Kleinknight of Fort Wayne. Mr. And Mrs. Brickley have three children, Darrell K., Ola Irene, and Brooks Franklin.

Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties Indiana. John W Tyndall for Adams Co and O. E. Lesh for Wells County. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1918, pp. 693-694.

LEWIS A. BRICKLEY, senior member of the hardware firm of L. A. Brickley & Sons, of Bluffton, was born near Warren, in Trumbull County, Ohio, April 29, 1842, a son of George and Belinda (Wolfcale) Brickley, the father being of German ancestry and the latter of English descent. The father is now deceased. L. A. Brickley, our subject, was brought by his parents to Wells County, Indiana, in June, 1851. He was reared to the avocation of a farmer; remaining on the home farm till he grew to manhood. He was united in marriage July 28, 1864, to Miss Catherine Lesh, a daughter of John and Harriet (McAfee) Lesh. She died at Bluffton, March 27, 1879, leaving five children: George Mervin, Thomas Jefferson, Cora A., Peter Francis and Jennie Etta. At her death Mrs. Brickley was a member of the Rock Creek Lutheran Church. Mr. Brickley was again married January 4, 1881, to Miss Flora A. Stonebrook, of Bluffton.

Mr. Brickley was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting as a private in 1864, in Company D, Fifty-first Indiana Infantry. He was engaged in the two days' fight in front of Nashville and also participated in several skirmishes. May 21, 1865, he was discharged for disability caused by a wound received in front of Nashville, December 16, 1864. After his discharge he returned to Wells County, where he was engaged in farming in Rock Creek Township until 1876. He then removed to Bluffton and became associated within Samuel Lesh in the hardware business, under the firm name of Lesh & Brickley. In 1883 John E. Beil succeeded Mr. Lesh, when the firm name was changed to Brickley & Beil. In November, 1885, Mr. Beil was succeeded by Mr. Brickley's sons, George M. and Thomas J., when the present firm of L. A. Brickley & Sons was formed. Mr. Brickley is a member of the Lutheran and his wife a member of the Baptist church.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 796.

The subject of this sketch is among the oldest living settlers of Wells county, his residence of over a half a century covering the most important period in the history of this part of the state. He is a native of Ohio and the son of George and Belinda (Wolfecall) Brickley, both parents born in Pennsylvania and descendants of old pioneer families of that commonwealth. In an early day George Brickley moved to Ohio, where he lived a number of years, subsequently selling his possessions there and migrating to Wells county, Indiana, where he purchased a partially improved farm which he made his home for a considerable period. This place is situated in the township of Rock Creek and is now one of the oldest and best farms in that section of the country. Late in life Mr. Brickley changed his residence to a farm a short distance south of Markle and it was there that he spent the remainder of his days, dying at a good old age, honored and respected by the people of his own and other communities. He is remembered as a man of enterprise and untiring energy, progressive in his ideas and successful in the accumulation of land and other property. Of his family of eleven children the following are still living in the county of Wells: Peter, Alfred, Lewis, Nancy Jane, Ogden and Laura.

Peter is the second in order of birth and first saw the light of day at Lordstown, Ohio, August 1, 1832. He was reared in his native state, received such educational discipline as the indifferent subscription schools of those times could impart and, while still a mere lad, was obliged to assist his father with the varied labors of the farm. He was early taught lessons of industry and economy and grew to manhood strong and healthy in body and with a fixed purpose of making the most of such opportunities as came his way. He remained on the home place until his twenty-second year and then began life's struggle for himself, choosing the time honored vocation of an agriculturist as the pursuit most suited to his tastes and inclinations. Mr. Brickley lived in Ohio until 1851, after which he removed to Wells county with his parents, August 24, 1854, Mr. Brickley married Mary Ann Smith, of Rock Creek township. At this time he was given a farm of sixty acres by his father which he afterwards sold and with the proceeds purchased a farm in Lancaster township. Addressing himself to the task of improving his land, he was rewarded in due time with a finely developed farm, to which additions were made at intervals when favorable opportunities presented themselves.

Mr. Brickley's career in Wells county was signally successful from the beginning. He continued to increase his holdings until his real estate amounted to three hundred and twenty-five acres, all admirably situated for agricultural purposes, and with the passing years and corresponding growth of the county these lands advanced in value until they now represent a fortune of no small magnitude. As a farmer he was enterprising in all the term implies and soon earned the reputation of one of the county's most successful and progressive agriculturists. In addition to tilling the soil he added much to his capital by buying and shipping live stock, also made considerable money raising cattle of his own, a business in which his success was most encouraging. He has always been a far-sighted business man and everything in which he engages seems to prosper. After acquiring a sufficiency of this world's goods to make him independent, Mr. Brickley, in 1896, left the farm and moved to Bluffton where he has since lived in honorable retirement. Blessed with an abundance of everything calculated to minister to his material comfort, he is now passing his declining years in the midst of friends and companions cheered by the thought that his competence was accumulated by honorable means and that his friendships were won by conduct above reproach.

Mr. Brickley was early led to take an active interest in political matters and ever since old enough to vote he has been an earnest and uncompromising supporter of the Democratic party. He never missed an election when able to go to the polls and his activity and leadership have contributed much to the strength and success of Democratic principles in Wells county during the fifty-two years of his residence therein. Early in the '70s he was elected justice of the peace of his township and continued to hold the office by successive elections until positively declining longer to serve, having held the position for a period of eight years. In 1890 he was nominated and elected a member of the board of county commissioners, the most important office within the gift of the people, and discharged the duties incident thereto for six years, having been chosen his own successor in 1894. It was during Mr. Brickley's incumbency as a member of the commissioner's court that many of the most important public improvements were inaugurated and carried to successful completion. Among these were the purchase of one hundred and twenty acres for a county farm, and the erection of the necessary buildings thereon, the construction of two large bridges across the Wabash, besides a general improvement of the public highways and other work of much importance to the people. Mr. Brickley's record as a public servant proved eminently satisfactory to the people, as well as affording him inward consciousness of having well and faithfully performed his duty. His judgment with respect to public matters was seldom if ever at fault, and his county is largely indebted to him for much of the prosperity which it now shares with its sister counties of the state.

Personally Mr. Brickley is a quiet and unassuming gentleman and his relations with his fellow citizens have always been of the most pleasant and agreeable character. He is not much given to speech making, but makes his presence felt by his actions, which have always been correct, and by his influence, which has ever been on the right side of all great moral questions and issues. His popularity with all classes of people is only bounded by the limits beyond which his name is not known and it is a compliment nobly earned and fittingly bestowed to class him with the best and most enterprising of the county's representative citizens.

In the year 1900 Mr. Brickley suffered a sad bereavement in the death of his faithful and devoted wife, since which time he has made his home with a daughter living in Bluffton. Mrs. Brickley was a lady of beautiful moral character, a sincere member of the Presbyterian church and, with a Christian's faith to cheer her, she entered into rest on April 19 of the above year. She bore her husband twelve children, namely: Andrew J., for a number of years one of the county's successful teachers; James; Louisa M.; Mary C.; John Z., formerly a teacher in the public schools; Elzy M., Cora J., Maggie, Frank, Arlie A. and Artha, all married except Artha and Maggie.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. BF Bowen, Publisher, Logansport, Ind. 1903, pp. 158-160.

He who devotes his life to the education of others has a work that is generally thankless and always poorly paid. This is one of the many reasons why so few enter the profession of educators with a view of making it their life work. It will do for the time being, it will tide over a period in life for the student or graduate, fresh from school, who knows nothing of any other calling. But the man or woman who takes it up, cognizant of all that must be encountered in it, and determined to stay by it in every emergency, has in him or her a good deal of the material out of which philanthropists are made. One of this very class is Clement S. Brineman, the subject of this sketch. He is a teacher of acknowledged ability, one of the very few who has not broken the birch or cast the ferule aside with a view of bidding farewell to the calling forever.

Clement S. Brineman is the son of Malachi and Sarah (Malotte) Brineman and was born in Chester township, Wells county, Indiana, July 12, 1866. His grandfather was John Brineman, a native of Germany, who, when a young man, to better his condition in life emigrated to America, settled in Pennsylvania and began life in this country as a common laborer. Here he met his future wife, married her and within a short time changed his habitation to Ohio, which was then supposed to possess many advantages over the older and more densely populated parts of the country. Not finding his home in the Buckeye state wholly to his liking, after residing there a number of years, he effected a second removal, this time settling in Liberty township, Wells county, Indiana. This was in 1852. In those days the purchase price of land, per acre, was not nearly so great as it is today. The poor German emigrant was financially able to invest in an eighty-acre tract of land and although little schooled in the art of chopping trees, sawing logs or making rails, he set about clearing his land with an earnestness of purpose and an unflagging industry that was soon productive of results. Here he lived, maintained, reared and educated his children, and here he finally died, commended and extolled for the many good qualities he was known to possess. He was the father of a large family, his son Malachi, father of the subject hereof, being the second child.

Malachi Brineman was born and educated in Ohio. When he arrived at man's estate he was married and became the father of a number of children. While he was still a comparatively young man his wife died and about the time his father moved to Indiana he determined to try his fortune in the same locality. But before moving to Indiana he formed the acquaintance and later secured the friendship of Miss Sarah Malotte. This developed into a stronger passion, so that before many months elapsed, in 1852, Malachi Brineman and Sarah Malotte were husband and wife. Mrs. Malotte (sic) was the daughter of A. J. and Elizabeth (Baldwin) Malotte. Her father, who was of French descent, was born October 14, 1816; and died February 26, 1862; his wife, of German descent, was born in 1818, and died January 31, 1850. They were married in 1835, and their daughter Sarah was born March 23, 1857, her death occurring during the winter of 1873. With the slender means in his possession, Malachi Brineman purchased eighty acres of land, upon which he erected an (sic) humble home and proceeded to improve it. Mr. Brineman was a hard worker, a man of fair education, shrewd and sagacious, and took quite an active part in local politics even at that early date. He was a member of the Christian church and prominently identified himself with the work of that denomination. He died in 1877, loved, admired and respected by all his friends and acquaintances. They were the parents of nine children, of whom five are dead and four are still living. The dead are Caroline, Fielden, Dora, Mary and Elizabeth. The living are Clement S., the subject of this sketch; Commodore, who is a resident of Chester township; Uriah, whose home is in Jackson township; Rosa, wife of Carl Smith, a resident of Mount Zion.

Clement S. Brineman was the sixth child of the family and at his father's death he was a boy of only eleven years. The family was poor, each member being left dependent upon his own resources and at this tender age the lad was obliged to look in the face of the world and solve for himself the problem of life. He went to work by the month for such neighbors as would give him employment, and at whatever work he was capable of performing. For five months he worked for one man and received the munificent sum of seven dollars per month. In this way, not always, however, for such meager wages, he continued to work, embracing every opportunity to obtain an education. No days were too cold or inclement to keep him out of the school-room when school was in session. He applied himself with a zest and earnestness to his books, which zeal threatened to undermine his constitution. His eager thirst for knowledge won the sympathy of his teachers and they were only too ready to impart to him every morsel of instruction his youthful mind could grasp. When he was seventeen years of age, with much timidity and some misgivings, he applied for a license to teach. He took the examination and in fear and trembling awaited the result. It was favorable and a license of six months was granted him. He secured a school and taught it most successfully. The bow of promise was now far up in the heavens. He felt that learning was indeed the key. From that time up to the present he has labored steadily in the school-room and is regarded as one of the best educators in this part of the state. When we consider the obstacles he had to surmount, the efforts he had to put forth to reach te goal, we need not be surprised that he decided to make teaching his life work. For two years he has been principal of the schools at Vera Cruz. His first certificate was for a period of six months, but the one he now holds is in duration six times that.

On July 18, 1888, Mr. Brineman was united in marriage to Miss Zeffa Hower, who was born in Coldwater, Michigan, August 8, 1866, the daughter of John Y. and Ethelinda (Chalfant) Hower. She received her education in Bluffton, graduating from the high school of that city in the class of 1884, and was a teacher, previous to her marriage, for three years. One son has been born to this marriage, John H., the date of whose birth is November 7, 1889. He also has a thirst for learning, which is without doubt inherited. Although only in his thirteenth year, he is in the second year of high school. Mr. and Mrs. Brineman are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Lodge No. 114 of Bluffton, and is a past grand. Politically he is a Democrat, and at the last Democratic county convention held in Wells county he was a candidate for the office of auditor. He was regularly selected by the voice of his party as its nominee and at the regular election held November 4, 1902, was elected to hold the office for the term of four years beginning January 1, 1904. He is honest, capable and most deserving. Although he was before the people many months as a candidate, not a blot nor blemist has been found to tarnish his fair name.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. BF Bowen, Publisher, Logansport, Ind. 1903, pp. 236-238.

Jefferson Brineman was born in Highland County, Ohio, April 2, 1834, died March 6, 1881. He was married March 3, 1861, in Wells County, to Susan Glass. Their children are: Philipp E., born December 20, 1861; Solomon W., August 16, 1863; Marietta, August 6, 1865; Ida E., October 2, 1867; Rachel, September 22, 1869; Mathias M. and Jefferson D., September 8, 1871; Margaret C., and Edwin M., September 20, 1873; Eliza A., January 13, 1877; Augustus M. and Oscar H., January 13, 1879. J. Brineman is a son of Daniel, deceased, and Rebecca (Shaufer) Brineman, the latter residing in Huntington County, Indiana. Mrs. Brineman was born in Portage County, Ohio, January 25, 1840. She is a daughter of Mathias and Mary (Kesner) Glass, the former of whom died in Bluffton, Indiana, the latter in Ohio. J. Brineman's brother Medora served in the late war. Mrs. Brineman's brother Jacob enlisted in Ohio; her brothers John and Solomon Glass, enlisted at Bluffton. George and Daniel Glass were also in the service. John died in Tennessee. Mr. Brineman is a resident of Liberty Township; settled in Wells County in 1861. Business, farming. Adress, Bluffton, Wells County, Indiana.

Historical Hand-Atlas, With Complete Reference Map of the World, History of Wells Co., IN, Chicago & Toledo: H. H. Hardesty & Co., 1881.

There are turning points in every man's life called opportunity. Taken advantage of they mean ultimate success. The career of Daniel T. Brinneman is a striking illustration of the latter statement. Diligent and ever alert for his chance of advancement, he has progressed steadily until he is recognized today as one of the prominent citizens of Bluffton, where he is president and treasurer of the Bluffton Improvement Company and the present efficient incumbent of the office of county recorder of Wells County. He is held in high esteem by his fellow men, who honor him for his native ability and for his fair and straightforward career.

The founder of the Brinneman family in Wells County, Indiana, was Melakiah Brinneman, a native of the State of Pennsylvania, whence he emigrated to the Hoosier state. His son, Cornelius, was born in section 16 Chester Township, Wells County, and there grew to maturity and was educated. He married Maria A. Bruce and to them were born five children, two of whom died in infancy; the others, living in 1917, are: Charles W. A., a resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Bertha M., now a resident of California; and Daniel T., of this review. Mrs. Maria A. Brinneman passed away July 20, 1916.

Daniel Theron Brinneman was born on a farm in Chester Township, Wells County, the date of his nativity being October 10, 1876. He lived in the vicinity of his birth until 1887, in which year the family home was established in the City of Indianapolis, where he attended school until he was twelve years old. At that tender age he began to make his own living, working at different things for several years. He also provided for his widowed mother and among other things he learned in the capital city was the barber's trade. In 1895 he returned to Wells County and located in Bluffton, where he worked in different barber shops until 1906, in which year he purchased a shop and operated the same for about one year. Disposing of his shop in 1907, he went to Michigan for the improvement of his health and remained in that state for four months. He then returned to Bluffton, bought another barber shop and conducted it for nearly a year. In 1909 he engaged in the real estate business, in partnership with the late John W. Tribolet and after the latter's death took over the entire business. Three years from that time he purchased the Wandell Barber Shop, which he conducted for six months, eventually selling the same. In the spring of 1914 he was nominated on the democratic ticket for the office of county recorder. He was nominated by 1,259 votes, and he assumed office January 1, 1916. He is a conscientious worker and has proved himself well fitted for the responsible position he holds. In 1917 he organized the Bluffton Improvement Company for the purpose of buying, improving and selling real estate, and of this concern he is president and treasurer. Mrs. Brinneman is vice president and Mary Crum secretary.

September 12, 1911, Mr. Brinneman married Miss Elva Randall, a daughter of Franklin Randall, a prominent farmer in Lancaster Township, Wells County. Mrs. Brinneman is a graduate of the Craigville High School and of the Bluffton Business College. Two children are the result of this union: Helen, aged six, and Franklin, aged three.

Mr. Brinneman is a member of Bluffton Lodge No. 92, Knights of Pythias and of Minnetonka Tribe No. 82, Improved Order of Red Men. His interest in political questions is deep and sincere and he gives an earnest support to democratic principles, believing that the platform of that party contains the best elements of good government. Mrs. Brinneman is absolutely a self-made man and for that reason his success in life is the more gratifying to contemplate.

Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties Indiana. John W Tyndall for Adams Co and O. E. Lesh for Wells County. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1918, pp. 660-661.

A practical and prosperous young farmer of Adams County, full of push and energy, Julius J. Brite is successfully engaged in his free and independent occupation in Root Township, where he has a most pleasant and attractive home. A native of Adams County, he was born, July 19, 1889, in Washington Township of German ancestry.

John Brite, Mr. Brite's father, was born in Germany, and as a child was brought by his parents to the United States. After attaining his majority he embarked in agricultural pursuits on his own account, for a few years renting land in Washington Township. In 1891 he bought a farm of eighty acres in the same township, and managed it successfully until 1893, when he sold it at an advantage. He married, in 1886, Margaret Koenig, who was born in Germany, and at the age of four years came with her parents to Indiana. She died August 18, 1895.

Brought up on the home farm, Julius J. Brite received a good common school education, and being an extensive and intelligent reader keeps himself well informed on the topics of the day. He was well drilled in the agricultural branches as a boy and youth, and soon after his marriage settled in Boot Township on the farm which he now owns and occupies, assuming its possession on November 29, 1914. It consists of forty acres of highly productive land, advantageously located in the southwest corner of Root Township, and is amply supplied with all the necessary buildings and equipments for carrying on his work successfully.

Mr. Brite married, September 23, 1914, Miss Gertrude Geels, a daughter of George and Anna Geels, who reared three other children, namely: Joseph H.; John F.; and Mary, who is in St. Agnes Convent, in Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Brite have two children, John G. and Roman J. Religiously Mr. Brite and his wife are members of the Roman Catholic Church.

Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties Indiana. John W Tyndall for Adams Co and O. E. Lesh for Wells County. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1918, pp. 900-901.

Widely known and highly respected, not only as a representative agriculturist of Wells County, but as a veteran of the Civil war, James A. Brotherton, of Liberty Township, owns and occupies an attractive and well-cultivated farm lying one mile south and one mile east of Liberty Center. A son of John Brotherton, he was born in Chester Township, Wells County, Indiana, October 23, 1842.

John Brotherton, a native of North Carolina, was taken by his parents to Ohio when young, and there grew up and was educated. Soon after his marriage he bought land in Darke County, that state, and for several seasons was employed as a tiller of the soil. Disposing of his Ohio property, he came to Indiana and bought 180 acres of land in Chester Township, Wells County, where he lived for fifteen years. Selling out then, he went to Wisconsin on a prospecting trip, and on the way home died, his death occurring at Fort Wayne, Indiana. He married, in Ohio, Mary West, who was born in Kentucky. She accompanied him to Wisconsin, and after his death she returned to Wells County and spent her last years in this locality.

In early manhood, James A. Brotherton, inspired by patriotic ardor, enlisted in Company I, Thirty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which he served bravely for four years, five months and twenty days. Taking part in many battles, he was twice slightly wounded, first at Port Gibson and later at Champion Hill. On February 3, 1866, at Brownsville, Texas, he was mustered out of service, Returning home, Mr. Brotherton began his career as an agriculturist, and is now the owner of a well-tilled and productive farm of ninety-nine acres, well located in Liberty Township, as previously mentioned.

On December 27, 1868, Mr. Brotherton married Elizabeth Penrod, a native of Wells County, Indiana, and of the three children born of their union, none is now living. Politically Mr. Brotherton is a republican, and socially he is a member of Lew Daily Post No. 33, Grand Army of the Republic, an organization in which he is much interested.

Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties Indiana. John W Tyndall for Adams Co and O. E. Lesh for Wells County. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1918, pp. 528-529.

Prominent among the highly respected families of Wells county, Indiana, is that of Mrs. Sarah E. Brown. She is a daughter of John and Sarah (Dickerhoof) Werking, who early came from Ohio, and settled in Rock Creek township, where they afterwards resided until their deaths. Mrs. Brown was born on the homestead, where she still resides, July 16, 1858, her father having entered and settled on this tract of land in an early day, it then comprising eighty acres, unimproved. They were the parents of five children, of whom three still survive, namely: Mary E., who is the wife of Scott Bricker, of Bluffton; Emanuel, and Mrs. Brown. The latter was united in marriage, December 23, 1877, in Wells county, with David F. Brown. Mr. Brown was born in Pennsylvania, where his father, David Brown, was also born and where he died when David F. was a small child. Immediately after this bereavement the widow moved her family to Indiana and settled in Rock Creek township, Wells county, on a small farm, where David F. was reared to manhood. He was well educated and became one of the leading politicians of Wells county, and at one time was a candidate for sheriff on the Democratic ticket.

After marriage David F. Brown and wife went to housekeeping on her father's farm, on which they lived about three years and then rented the Deam farm, one-half mile east of Bluffton, where they lived fifteen years, then moved on the farm on which Mrs. Brown now resides. There Mr. Brown died April 11, 1899. David F. and Sarah E. Brown were the parents of three children, namely: John H., born June 25, 1878, who is an exemplary young man, well educated and is managing the farm for his mother; George F., born August 28, 1880, is married to Bertha Allen, and Jennie C., who was born January 10, 1883, has a good common school education and still makes her home with her mother. Mrs. Sarah E. Brown is a lady of refinement and gentility and stands high in the best circles of Wells county.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. BF Bowen, Publisher, Logansport, Ind. 1903, p. 593.

This prominent manufacturer and head of one of one of Bluffton’s leading industrial enterprises is a native of Indiana, born at Alexandria, Madison county, on the 2d day of June, 1853. His father, Henry Buck, formerly a land owner and farmer of the above county, was of German descent, and the mother, whose maiden name was Jemima Chamness, comes from a long line of Quaker ancestors. For many years Henry Buck was not only one of the leading agriculturists of Madison county, but also achieved prominence as a local politician of the Republican party, having been one of the first men in his part of the state openly to avow and defend what was then the political heresy of abolitionism. He acquired some property, was twice married, and departed this life in the year 1867. His second wife, the mother of the subject of this sketch is still living.

John M. Buck was the oldest of the children born to his father’s second marriage. He was reared to maturity in close touch with nature and as a farm hand early learned by experience the true meaning of honest toil. His means for acquiring an education were such as a few months’ attendance each year at the public schools afforded, consequently, he was not a learned man in the sense of the term as generally understood, although possessing a fund of valuable practical knowledge such as schools and colleges do not impart. Young Buck assisted in cultivating the home farm until his twenty-fourth year, when he started into the world for himself, first directing his attention to buying and selling lumber and later taking up the trade of wood turning. He started, in 1890, a small establishment of his own in the town of Geneva. He spent about five years at the above place, when he found it necessary to secure a more favorable location, consequently he moved his establishment to the city of Bluffton.

Since moving to the latter place in 1895, Mr. Buck has built up an extensive business and, as stated in the initial paragraph, the enterprise has become on of the largest and most important of the city’s industries. In addition to the plant at Bluffton, which gives employment to about twenty-five men and from three to five teams every working day of the year, he operates a branch factory at Auburn, this state, which, under his direction, has steadily increased its output and grown in public favor. Mr. Buck manufactures wooden tool handles. His weekly payroll at Bluffton alone will average about two hundred and fifty dollars, in addition to which he pays every week to the farmers in the vicinity who furnish him, very satisfactorily, with raw material the sum of four hundred dollars.

Mr. Buck began manufacturing in a very small way and the large measure of success which has attended him is due entirely to his own energy, superior management and wise business foresight. At the outset, he encountered many difficulties and numerous obstacles calculated to impede and discourage, but with an inborn determination which hesitated at none of these impediments to his progress, he persevered, gradually removing everything in his pathway and gaining favor until he found himself upon a well established basis which made ultimate success a certainty. That he has achieved his aim is abundantly attested by the place his plant occupies among the industries of Bluffton, in the business circles of the city and throughout the state. The constantly increasing demands for his products necessitates the running of his several establishments at their full capacity, and , judging by present prospects, their enlargement or the building of additional plants is only a matter of time.

Few men in Wells county stand higher in the esteem of their fellow citizens than Mr. Buck and none have better records for energy, honesty and sterling integrity. He is a man of actions rather than words, attends strictly to his own affairs, at the same time being not unmindful of the duty which every citizen owes to the public. He is essentially a business man and as such ranks with the most enterprising and progressive of his contemporaries, deserving of great credit for what he has done for this city in the way of giving employment to labor and providing a good market for the farmers with timber to dispose of. Mr. Buck supports the Republican party, but aside from voting for the regular nominees, takes little interest in political matters, having no ambition to gratify in the way of public distinction or official honors. He owns a beautiful and attractive home on the corner of Wabash and Market streets, where he welcomes and entertains his friends with a genuine hospitality.

Mr. Buck was married in 1880 to Miss Caroline Pugh of Alexandria, Madison county, this state, a union blessed with three children: Roland C., the eldest, was born on the 20th day of June 1881, served with Company M, Twenty-eighth Regiment, United States Infantry, in the Philippines, and was shot and killed from ambush by native robbers on July 13, 1902; Clyde, the second of the family, was born December 7, 1883; Alline, the youngest, is a student in the Bluffton high school. Mrs. Buck is a member of the Methodist church and well known in the best social circles of the city. While not identified with any religious organization himself, Mr. Buck believes in the church as a great moral force among men and is liberal in his contributions to its support.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. BF Bowen, Publisher, Logansport, Ind. 1903, pp. 334-335.

Francis Marion Buckner has for a number of years carried heavy business responsibilities, as a banker, stockman, farmer, and his own career and that of his family deserve special mention in any history of Wells County. Mr. Buckner was born in Liberty Township, this county, October 9, 1867, and is a son of William N. and Amelia M. (Yelton) Buckner. Both parents are now deceased.

The late William N. Buckner was born in Bracken County, Kentucky, September 13, 1827, a son of Thomas and Matilda (Hanson) Buckner, also natives of Kentucky. Thomas Buckner was a son of Philip and Tabitha Buckner, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Maryland. William N. Buckner spent his early life on a farm, attended a log cabin subscription school, and on January 15, 1851, married Miss Amelia M. Yelton, also a native of Kentucky and daughter of Charles and Amelia (Gosney) Yelton, the former a native of Virginia. William N. Buckner came to Wells County from Kentucky in 1855 and bought forty acres of heavily timbered land in section 16 of Liberty Township. Later he bought eighty acres in section 18, and cleared and improved this and from the fruits of his prosperity built up a fine estate comprising over half a section of land. He was an active democrat and he and his wife were members of the Disciples Church. They had nine children: John T.; Charles N.; Millie J., widow of Joseph Thrailkill; Missouri E., who has never married; Martha Ann, now deceased, who married Byron H. Prible; George W., who graduated from a veterinary college of New York City and is now deceased; Francis Marion; and Benjamin F. a resident of Liberty Township.

Francis M. Buckner has had a very busy and strenuous career. He spent his early life on his father's farm, attended the district schools and also spent some time in Purdue University studying veterinary surgery and taking the agricultural course. For ten terms he was a successful teacher in the district schools of Liberty, Rock Creek and Harrison townships.

Mr. Buckner married Miss Stella Doster, the only living daughter of the late Dr. Hezekiah Doster. Mrs. Buckner is a graduate of the Bluffton High School and is a woman of many talents and more than ordinary abilities, and with all her duties at home has cultivated those interests and studious occupations which keep a woman in close touch with the social life around her. She was also a teacher for ten terms. Mr. and Mrs. Buckner have three children. George D., born April 7, 1892, graduated from the Bluffton High School, took the degree A.B. from the University of Indiana in 1916, and is now a student in the Indiana Medical College of Indianapolis, and a member of the Bluffton Lodge No. 145, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Dale, the second child, born September 21, 1895, is a graduate of Bluffton High School, now teaching at Poneto, and married February 13, 1918, Arch S. Davis. Joy F. is a graduate of the Bluffton High School and is now a student in the State University.

Dr. Hezekiah Doster, father of Mrs. Buckner, was born in Somersetshire, England, July 6, 1843, and died May 10, 1910. He came to the United States with his parents in July, 1848, and became a resident of Wells County, Indiana, in August 1852. In addition to his advantages in the common schools he attended a high school known as Liber College near Portland in Jay County, Indiana, from 1860 to 1865, and taught in the intervals of his student career. In 1865 he began the study of medicine at Bluffton and in 1867 entered the medical department of the University of Michigan and in 1868 received his MD degree from the Western Reserve Medical College of Ohio. In that year he began his country practice in the southern part of Wells county. In 1871 he received a diploma from the Bellevue Hospital Medical College of New York. For many years he was successfully engaged in looking after a large country practice in and around Poneto and at the same time managed a large farm. This farm comprised over five hundred acres, and an unusual feature of it in early times was a large artificial lake well stocked with fish. Doctor Doster married September 27, 1866, Sarepta Tewksbury, who was born October 2, 1846, a daughter of Simeon Tewksbury. The two daughters of this union were Stella, born October 19, 1867, now the wife of Mr. Buckner, and Victoria, born November 19, 1883, and now deceased.

Mr. Buckner and family have the responsibility of cultivating and managing seven hundred acres of land in Nottingham and Harrison townships. The Doster farms have long been noted for their fine livestock. Mr. Buckner breeds and raises the standard Percheron horses, the Shorthorn cattle, the Oxford Down sheep, and handles the better grades of hogs. He has laid out a race track for the training of his harness horses. Mr. Buckner was one of the active organizers of the Bank of Poneto in 1912. He has always been vice president and active head of the institution. Mr. and Mrs. Buckner are members of Chesterfield Camp of the Spiritualists in Madison County.

Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties Indiana. John W Tyndall for Adams Co and O. E. Lesh for Wells County. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1918, pp. 515-517.

WILLIAM N. BUCKNER, farmer and stock-raiser, Liberty Township, was born in Bracken County, Kentucky, September 15, 1827, son of Thomas and Matilda (Hanson) Buckner, also natives of Kentucky. Thomas Buckner was a son of Philip and Tabitha Buckner, the former a native of Virginia and of German ancestry, the latter a native of Maryland and of German-Irish ancestry; her father was John Hanson, a native of Maryland. Our subject passed his early life on the farm and attended the early subscription schools in the primitive log cabin. He was married January 16, 1851, to Miss Amelia M. Yelton, daughter of Charles and Amelia (Gosney) Yelton, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of German descent. After his marriage Mr. Buckner followed farming until 1855, when he came to this county and purchased forty acres of heavily timbered land on section 10, Liberty Township. He sold this land and purchased eighty acres on section 18, this being also heavy-timbered. He cleared and improved his last purchase, and has added to it from time to time until he now has 320 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Buckner have had nine children:—John T., Charles N., Millie J., wife of Joseph Tharlkill, Missouri E., Martha Ann, wife of Byron H. Prible, George W., Miami M., Francis Marion and Benjamin F. Mr. Buckner is a self-made man. By his own industry and good management he has acquired a good property, and his family is surrounded with all the comforts of life. Himself and wife and four children are members of the Disciple church. Politically Mr. Buckner affiliates with the Democratic party.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 872-873.

WILLIAM BUMGARNER, of Harrison Township, was born in Mason County, West Virginia, July 12, 1837. His father, Samuel Bumgarner, was born in Shenandoah County, Virginia, son of David Bumgarner, who was probably born in Germany, and when a boy his parents emigrated to Mason County, where he was reared on a farm, and married Rebecca Oliver, a daughter of Thomas Oliver, who came from Greenbrier County, Virginia, to Mason County, when quite young. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his father served in the Revolutionary war and also in the war of 1812. After his marriage he settled upon a farm in Mason County, and followed farming during the remainder of his days. His eleven children all lived to be grown and married. He died in 1850, aged fifty-six years, and his wife died in 1884, aged eighty-nine years.

Our subject was reared on a farm in Mason County and lived with his mother until the breaking out of the civil war. He was one of the first to go forth in defense of union and liberty. He and one brother were the only ones in their precinct who had the courage to vote for Abraham Lincoln, this being his first presidential vote. He enlisted June 5, 1861, in Company A, Fourth Virginia Infantry, but did not need to get far from home to find war, as he was in the midst of continual skirmishing. He participated in the battle of Charleston and siege of Vicksburg. When a call was made for a storming party, he was the only one of his company who volunteered. He carried a board in front of him, which was pierced with fifteen bullets. He was one of a few that returned to his command. His regiment was one that crossed the river on pontoon boats to capture the pickets, and met with a very narrow escape. He was the third man who reached the summit of Mission Ridge. During this winter his health was very poor and he obtained a furlough. He served three years and one month, and was honorably discharged July 4, 1864, having never been under arrest, or in the guard-house except when on duty. He contracted diseases from exposure and hardships, from which he never recovered.

After the war he returned to his home in West Virginia, where he followed the carpenter's trade until June, 1872. He was married August 31, 1862, to A. L. Armitage, daughter of George and Maria Armitage. In June, 1872, he came West with his wife and fomir children, coming with a two-horse team. His father-in-law accompanied them to Southern Kansas, remaining in Emporia for a time, then returned and settled near Bluffton, this county, where he has since followed the carpenter's trade in connection with farming. Mr. and Mrs. Bumgarner have had nine children, seven of whom are living: Frances A., wife of Charles Cole; Marion W., John C., Reazin H., Hattie E., Clara E. and Ira E. Mary and Maudie (twins) died in infancy. Mrs. Bumgarner is a member of the Christian church, and in politics Mr. Bumgarner is an uncompromising Republican.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 789-790.

MRS. SARAH A. BUNN is the widow of Jacob Bunn, and both were born in Pennsylvania. The husband was born near Mercersburg, Franklin County, in 1804, and our subject at Newberg, Cumberland County. Jacob was a son of Nicholas and Rosanna Bunn, and when thirty years of age he left Pennsylvania and settled at Manchester, Stark County, Ohio. The mother of our subject, Barbara Wheeler, died in Pennsylvania, and her father, Daniel Wheeler, with five children, John, Jacob, Lena, Thomas and Sarah A., emigrated in 1825 to Stark County, Ohio, where our subject formed the acquaintance of and married Jacob Bunn in 1836. Three years later they removed to this county, settling upon the land that Mrs. Bunn yet owns. Jacob had entered the land the year previous, and engaged some of the residents to build a cabin, that his family might have suitable shelter when they arrived. Two children, James and Dennis, were born in Stark County, and were small children when their parents settled in their western home. They were the eighth family to settle in Jefferson Township. A wagon drawn by one horse, containing necessary bedding, with wife and babies, completed the load. Mrs. Bunn drove the horse while her husband attended to the two cows that were driven through. Two young men accompanied them, but they remained only a short time. When they arrived in 1839 not a stick had been cut except where the cabin stood; but that autumn found two acres cleared and sown to wheat. During the winter several acres more were cleared for corn, and the coming spring found the enterprising farmer ready to plant his crop. The malarial atmosphere brought the ague, which prevailed extensively; yet the heroic pair held bravely on, until by their united exertions the heavy forests had melted away and a nice farm was opened up in the wildwood. The rude log cabin was replaced by a neat hewed log house, which in turn gave way to the substantial frame building. Their first barn was built of hewed logs, and still stands a monument to the memory of pioneer days, and its builder, Jacob Bunn. Other children came to grace their home: Harriet, David, Jennette, Caroline, Lewis, Isabella, Sabina, Mary and Harrison. Jacob Bunn was for a number of years a member of the Dunkard church, and died firm in that faith. His death occurred in the autumn of 1877, having lived long enough to see a large family well settled in life. Harriet married Dr. A. H. Metts, and is now deceased; Jennette married Henry Gailhouse, a resident of Ohio; Caroline is the wife of Samuel Hughes, who lives on the Bunn homestead; Isabella became the wife of Elza Justus, now in the lumber trade in Mississippi; Sabina married Clarence Carr, and they live in Ossian; Mary E. married Cyrus Weaver, a carpenter and joiner, of Decatur, Indiana; James, deceased, was a farmer, and married Susan Trenary, and they had three children; David married Almira Springer, of Ohio, and has since resided in that State; Lewis and Harrison are unmarried. David was a soldier during the late war, serving in an Ohio regiment, and went through the entire war, except when confined in a rebel prison. Jacob Bunn was a large-hearted man, and the pioneers still speak of his death with regret, as it took from their midst one of the most prosperous and exemplary men. Mrs. Bunn is in her seventieth year, and is still hale and vigorous. She has a pleasant home in Ossian, and is surrounded by her children, two of whom make their home with her. Her lot in life is such as befits one who has lived well and truly.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 892-893.

Rising above the heads of the masses there have always been in every community individuals who by reason of pronounced ability and force of character have commanded the unbounded esteem of their fellowmen. Characterized by the two respendant virtues that never fail, perseverance and a directing spirit, such men always make their presence felt, and the vigor of their strong personality serves as a stimulus and a strong intentive to the young and rising generation. To this energetic and enterprising class the subject of this sketch very properly belongs. Enjoying distinctive prestige as a farmer and business man, he is also widely and favorably know as a director of enterprises and to a marked degree he has achieved repute as a moulder of public sentiment in the community of his residence. JOSEPH BURNS, although of foreign birth, is a striking example of strong, virile American citizenship. He is in the true sense of the term a self-made man and his rise from very humble circumstances to his present position as a successful farmer and a progressive man of affairs forcibly illustrates what can be accomplished by a well defined purpose in life when that purpose is directed and fostered by correct principles and manly conduct. Mr. Burns was born of Irish parentage, but first saw the light of day in England, to which country his father, MICHAEL BURNS, moved when a young man. The subject's birth occurred in the city of Manchester on the 14th day of February, 1847, and about three years later he was brought to the United States, the family settling in Jay county, Indiana, in 1851. Poor in this world's goods and without the aid of influential friends, Michael Burns found no rosy pathway to fortune in the new world. Purchasing a small tract of wild land, he labored hard to improve the same, meanwhile earning a little money by ditching for other parties. He was a man of great industry, knew not the meaning of idleness and enjoyed but little leisure while preparing a home and laboring for the support of those dependent upon him. Intelligent beyond the average, he devoted his evenings to reading and study and in this way became quite well informed on many subjects, especially those questions relating to politics and national legislature. By persevering effort he eventually succeeded in rising superior to unfavorable environment and in the course of years, found himself the possessor of a comfortable competence. He developed a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he subsequently sold for five thousand five hundred dollars, and purchased, in October, 1866, an estate in Chester township, Wells county, where he made his home the remainder of his life. Michael Burns became an influential man in his neighborhood and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was a local politician of considerable note and for many years his favor was courted by candidates of the Democratic party, as he exerted great influence among the voters of his township. A devout Catholic in religion, he expended his means liberally for the support of the church, he and JAMES McCAFFREY building the first house of worship in the town of Montpelier. Four children were born to Mr. Burns, the oldest of whom, JOHN, a sergeant in compant F, One Hundred and Fortieth Infantry, in the Civil war, was wounded at the battle of Stone River and died from the effects of his injuries on the 8th day of January, 1865. MARY, the second in order of birth, died while the family was enroute to the United States and was buried at sea; EMILY died at Manchester, England, when an infant; JOSEPH, the subject of this sketch, being the youngest of the family.

The early life of Joseph Burns was spent on the farm in Jay county and it is needless to state that fortune cast into his pathway no glittering crown. He grew up with a proper appreciation of the true nobility of honest toil and from youth to manhood knew what it meant to earn his bread by the sweat of his brow. Amid the bracing air and vigorous outdoor exercises, he aquired strength of limb and independence of mind which served him well when he began the struggle of life in later years. Young Burns was born with a thirst for knowledge and at an early age mastered the mysteries of the fundamental branches by attending a school taught in a little log building, which stood fully three miles from his home. The wyt to this backwoods college led through a deep forest, and in order to reach it in time for the morning lessons, the lad was obliged to get out of bed in the wee small hours and start on the long tramp before daylight. Not infrequently, the deep snows proved a decided hindrance, to wade through which taxed the physical powers of the byt to the utmost capacity. Notwithstanding the daily walk of six miles and the indifferent character of the teaching, young Burns made rapid advancement and before his eighteenth year he had gone as far as his instructor could take him, mastering all of the common branches, in several of which he became unusually proficient. He has always been a great reader and today his knowledge takes in a wide range of subjects, those bearing upon the political and industrial history of our country being among the ones in which he is especially well informed. Like a dutiful son, he remained at home assisting with the labors of the farm until his twenty-second year when he left the parental roof to make his own way in the world. Although penniless at this time, he looked forward with hope, and began laying plans for future action.

Thinking that a companion on life's journey would result to his advantage, Mr. Burns, on the 10th day of April, 1871, was united in marriage to Miss ANN McCAFFREY, of Wells county, daughter of JAMES McCAFFREY, and shortly thereafter moved to a small tract of woodland, which he purchased with the prospect of paying for the same at some future date. Poor in purse, but rich in love and devotion for each other and determined to make the most of their opportunities, the young couple set up their humble establishment and resolutely addressed themselves to the task of making a home and clearing it of debt. To narrate in detail how this was eventually accomplished, how they worked hard, denied themselves many privileges and made sacrifices which tried their souls as well as their bodies, would far transcend the limits of this article. Suffice it to say, however, that by long continued toil and patience, persevering effort, the forest growth gradually disappeared before the sturdy strokes of Mr. Burns' ax until at length one of the finest and most valuable farms in Chester township rewarded the labors so heroically put forth. Mr. Burns cleared and developed with his own hands fully one hundred acres of land. His place is highly improved and well cultivated, containing substantial buildings, fine fences and other accessories bespeaking the home of the intelligent and enterprising husbandman. Situated in the richest of the Indiana oil fields, it would command a very high price if put on the market, and for agricultural purposes alone the place has been conservatively estimated at one hundred dollars per acre. In addition to general farming and stock raising, Mr. Burns has made considerable money contracting for the construction of gravel roads and like work in this and other counties. He has already made over thirteen miles of public highway in the county of Wells alone, besides doing much street work in the city of Bluffton, realizing liberal returns from his contracts. For many years, he has been a public auctioneer, his services in the capacity being in great demand throughout several northeastern counties.

In politics, Mr. Burns is a Democrat of the old school and as such has rendered his party great service in every campaign in the last quarter century. Not only is he an active worker in the ranks, but as a public speaker he possesses a power surpassed by few. Logical in presenting facts, he impresses them by strong, well-put arguments and, rising at times to the heights of true eloquence, he seldom fails in convincing and always pleases and entertains his audiences. He is the soul of large hearted fellowship. Endowed with the natural wit and humor for which his nationality is especially distinguished, he is the life of every social gathering graced by his presence and numbers his warm freinds by the score among all classes of people. As a neighbor he is accomodating at all times, generous to a fault and no worthy person or legitimate enterprise ever appealed to him in vain. His hand is ever open to help the poor and distressed and his home is the abode of a generous hospitality which many of his freinds delight to share. He was born within the pale of the Catholic church and has always been loyal to its precepts and liberal in the expenditure of his means for its support. His wife and children have also been trained according to its teachings and are now amony its zealous members in the county of Wells.

Mr. and Mrs. Burns are the parents of nine children: JOHN, the oldest, born April 10, 1872, was graduated from the Bluffton high school, began teaching at the early age of sixteen years and followed educational work for a number of years in Wells county. Later he studied law, rose rapidly in the profession and at this time is prosecuting attorney for the twenty-eighth judicial district, comprising the counties of Wells and Blackford; WILLIAM, the second child, died when five years old, JAMES was born and reared in Chester township, this county, and is now a resident of Montpelier; TILDEN, the next in order of birth, lives at home and manages the farm; JOSEPH H. is a tool-dresser in the oil fields of Indiana and has prospered in that kind of work; the other members of the family, MILLIE, ELIZABETH, PATRICK G., ANNA, and FELIX, are still with their parents."

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. BF Bowen, Publisher, Logansport, Ind. 1903, p. 593.
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The specific and distinctive office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave the perpetual record of the verdict establishing his character by the concensus (sic) of opinion on the part of his fellow men. That great factor, the public, is a discriminating factor, and takes congnizance (sic) not of objective exaltation nor yet objective modesty, but delves deeper into the intrinsic essence of character, strikes the keynote of individuality, and pronounces judicially and unequivocally upon the true worth of the man, invariably distinguishing the clear resonance of the true metal from the jarring dissonance of the baser. Thus in touching upon the life history of the subject of this review the biographist would aim to give utterance to no fulsome encomium, to indulge in no extravagant praise, yet would he wish to hold up for consideration those points which have shown the distinction of a true, pure and useful life, -- one characterized by indomitable perseverance, broad charity, marked ability, high accomplishments and well earned honors. To do this will be but to reiterate the dictum pronounced upon the man by his fellow men.

There is another element of particular interest and consistency entering into a review of the career of him whose name initiates this review, for his ancestral history has been one of consecutive identification with that of Indiana since the early period when it secured admission to the sisterhood of States. Elwood Burris, the father of our subject, was born in Indiana on the 27th of June, 1836. He has devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits, and is a man of high principles and unquestionable honor. He retains his residence at Maple Valley, this State, and is held in the highest esteem in the community. His father, Jacob Burris, was a native of Ohio, where he was born in the year 1801, the son of Daniel Burris, who came to Indiana and located near Maple Valley about the time the Territory assumed the dignity of a State. Daniel Burris espoused in marriage Mary Horton, and to them were born sixteen children, namely: Rachel, Stephen, John, Jacob (grandfather of our subject), Martha, Daniel and Mary (twins), Bowater, Abraham, Moses, Horton, Miles, Andy, Lewis, Elias and Rebecca. All except the twins, Daniel and Mary, lived to attain venerable age.

Jacob Burris, grandfather of our subject, was the fourth in order of birth of this large family of children, and upon attaining mature years he was united in marriage to Mary Hiatt. They became the parents of eight children, by name as follows: Lucinda, Rachel, Elwood (father of our subject), Elias, John, Oliver, Arthur, and Henry. In 1860 Elwood Burris was united in marriage to Ruth A. Paxton, whose family name is perpetuated in the middle name of her son, our subject. Ruth Paxton was born in Greensboro, Henry county, Indiana, on the 4th of January, 1844, being the daughter of Rev. James Paxton, M. D., a clergyman of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, a man of strong individuality and ability, and prominent and active as an anti-slavery advocate during the period leading up to and marking the late war of the Rebellion. Ruth (Paxton) Burris entered into eternal rest on the 15th of April, 1882. By her marriage she became the mother of six children, of whom we make brief record, as follows: Tabitha, wife of John C. Overman, of Indianapolis; W. Paxton, the immediate subject of this review; Nora, wife of John C. Hill, of Willow; Jacob, a resident of Maple Valley; Mossie, wife of Ulysses Armstrong, of Maple Valley; and Stella.

W. Paxton Burris was born in Maple Valley, Indiana, on the 15th of November, 1863, and until he had attained the age of fifteen years he devoted his attention to attending the common schools, where he applied himself so earnestly and with such signal power of assimilation, that at the early age mentioned he was able to secure a teacher's license. He did not at once turn his attention to this line of effort, along which he has attained to so distinguished success and honor through his later endeavors, but until he was nineteen years of age he assisted his father in the cultivation of the homestead farm and in clerking in the general store which his father owned in Maple Valley. After this he put his theoretical knowledge to practical test by teaching for three years in the district schools. In these preliminary pedagogic labors he gave distinctive evidence of that strong, native capacity which he possessed in the way of imparting knowledge, and interesting his pupils in their work,-a talent which has been a potent factor in insuring his pronounced success in the educational field of broader province.

At the age of twenty-two pears Mr. Burris entered the Normal School at Danville, Indiana, where he continued his studies through a two years' course, graduating as a member of the class of 1888. Within the same year he was admitted into the Northwestern Indiana Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was stationed at Pittsboro, where he had assigned to him three different charges. He continued his efforts with success until March 1, 1889, when he resigned for the purpose of entering the College of Liberal Arts in DePauw University. In the autumn of the same year he received the appointment as principal of the graded school at Greensboro, Indiana, and at the expiration of the term he returned to the university and resumed his studies. While he was still a student at this institution he was elected instructor in sciences in the high school at Greencastle, Indiana, and to the duties thus implied he devoted his attention during the morning hours, while in the afternoon he pursued his individual study in the university. He completed the course of study at DePauw and graduated as a member of the class of 1891, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy.

In the meanwhile Professor Burris had been elected superintendent of the public schools of Bluffton, and to this city he came after his graduation, assuming the important and exacting duties of his position on the 6th of August, 1891. Possessed of marked executive ability, an indefatigable worker, alert and progressive in attitude, and thoroughly in love with his profession, it comes but in natural sequence that Professor Burris should have become an important factor not only in connection with the educational work in his prescribed province, but in a field far transcending local limitations. His distinctive intellectuality and high mental attainments give him a precedence and prestige among the foremost educators of the State, and his efficiency is shown in a most pronounced way through his work in bringing the schools of Bluffton up to the highest standard. He has instituted many improvements, has perfected the system of operation and has left undone nothing that would tend to conserve effective discipline. In his efforts he has had the ready co-operation of a board of education composed of men of ability and broad views, and in this way has been singularly favored, retaining the confidence and respect of these educators, who have a recognition of his capacity for managing affairs of breadth and for conducting all matters along wise and judicious lines. His annual reports have been documents which should command attention in any portion of the field where popular education is considered, arid his reviews of work accomplished and of improvements to be instituted would prove both lesson and incentive in many quarters outside of the city where he labors.

In November, 1894, Professor Burris was appointed a member of a committee to arrange a course of studies for the schools in the cities and towns of Indiana, with a view to making a more nearly uniform system and to thus simplify and further effective work. He was elected secretary of this committee, and the committee eventually adopted the Herbartian system of study, of which our subject has been a strong advocate. This system of Herbart has received so much attention and endorsement in educational circles within the past few years that there is scarcely a necessity for outlining the same in this connection, but it may be well to say that the system is one of utmost practicality, its aim being not only to conserve culture, but to make the knowledge gained of the practical nature which is so signally demanded when the youth go forth to take their places in the world, to identify themselves with its activities and to make themselves useful American citizens. The system is one of true worth and not of sentimentality, and is one whose ultimate adoption throughout the common schools of our nation is to be devoutly wished. Professor Burris is a member of the Indiana State Association of Superintendents of Schools, and in 1893 he was elected secretary, which office he still holds. He is a member of the National Herbart Club, and was on the program at the National Educational Associa-(sic) which met in Denver in July, 1895. He is a member of the American Institute of Christian Philosophy, and is an earnest worker in all that conserves the elevation of his fellowmen, mentally, spiritually and morally. His alma mater conferred the degree of Master of Arts on on him at the annual commencement in 1894, and he is a candidate in absentia for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Chicago University. In his fraternal relations he is identified with the Greek college fraternity of Beta Theta Pi and the Masonic order, in which last he has advanced to the Knights Templar degree. In connection with his work in the public schools of Bluffton there should not be failure to record the fact that through his efforts the accessories and appliances have been brought up to the most excellent standard, while there has also been established in connection with the high school a public library comprising fully fifteen hundred admirably selected volumes.

December 28, 1891, were solemnized the nuptials of Professor Burris and Miss Harriet Clearwaters. Mrs. Burris is the daughter of the Rev. James Clearwaters, who is now the incumbent pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at New Carlisle, Indiana. The only child of this union was born on the 8th of May, 1894, and its life was spared only until August 23d of the succeeding year. Both Professor and Mrs. Burris are zealous and active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and both are teachers in the Sunday school, maintaining a constant and lively interest in all phases of church work.

Memorial Record of Northeastern Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1896, pp. 62-67.

HON. NEWTON BURWELL, although contemplating a change of residence to some point in the far West, deserves none the less a notice in a work of this kind, as the traces of his work as a reformer in this county are too conspicuous to be ignored. He was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, August 1, 1836, son of James and Sarah (Norman) Burwell. His father, who was a cooper by trade, moved with the family to this county in 1847, arriving at Bluffton February 7. Here he followed his trade, and for a time was in the employ of the firm of Studabaker & Co. in the warehouse business. Young Newton attended the Bluffton schools; then, in 1856-'57, attended the State University at Bloomington, where, in March, 1858, he graduated in the law department. Returning home, he commenced, during the following month, the practice of law alone. About ten or eleven years afterward he admitted James S. Wisner as partner, but after two years this relation was dissolved, and Mr. Burwell conducted his business alone for a time. From 1872 to 1874 he had Mr. A. N. Martin as a partner. About this time the great tidal wave, known as the "temperance crusade" began to roll in every direction, until it struck Bluffton, bearing Mr. Burwell upon its crest. A temperance meeting was appointed at the Methodist church, which Mr. Burwell was persuaded to attend. Being known as a public speaker, and the occasion being such as to touch delicately upon personal habits and public relations, he trembled lest he be called upon to speak, and his wife also trembled for him. Sure enough he was called upon, and he took the pulpit, and he surprised the audience, as well as himself, by the inspiration with which he favored the temperance reform. Heart and soul he entered the movement, carrying out his convictions in an honest and earnest endeavor to secure temperance legislation, and "temperance execution" of the laws. Hence, of course, he had some political opposition. In April, 1876, Mr. Burwell moved to Fort Wayne, where for nearly two years he was engaged in the practice of his profession. He was then induced to enter the itineracy of the Methodist Episcopal church, where he served three years, from April, 1878, to April, 1881, on Huntertown circuit, Kendallville station and Ossian circuit, this county, in the North Indiana Conference. Returning to Bluffton he re-engaged, in 1883, in the practice of law, which he has since continued. In his public relations he has served the people of his county faithfully. In 1858, in his youngest days as a practitioner of law, he was elected prosecuting attorney of the common Pleas Court for the counties of Huntington and Wells, but resigned before the close of his first term; served one term as mayor of Bluffton; was trustee of the corporation of Bluffton, and member of the school board; was elected a member of the Legislature in 1804, as a Democrat, when his party was in a hopeless minority, representing the counties of Wells and Blackford. Afterward, while he was again a member of the school board, he was active in forwarding the erection of the present school building, and introduced the graded system. He also took an active interest in the building of the Fort Wayne, Cincinnati & Louisville Railroad, when the people of this county took $100,000 stock in the enterprise, by sustaining the commissioners in making the appropriation.

January 31, 1861, is the date of Mr. Burwell's marriage to Miss Josephine, daughter of Adnah and Abigail (Blatchley) Hall. (A sketch of her father is given elsewhere in this work.) The children of Mr. and Mrs. Burwell are: Anna, who died at the age of six or seven months; Rena, born January 25, 1864, now teaching school in Wichita, Kansas; Alfred Conwell, born February 11, 1866, now attorney at law in Wichita, Kansas, (was admitted to the bar before he was twenty-one years of age); James Burton, born October 14, 1868, now a teacher at Rapid City, among the Black Hills of Dakota; Louise, born December 23, 1872; Walter, who died when about ten months old; Norman Blatchley, born in Fort Wayne August 31, 1876, (their "Centennial boy"); Bessie, born also in Fort Wayne, in July, 1878, and Mary, born in Bluffton in September, 1881. Mrs. Burwell has also been a prominent worker in the temperance cause, and is an exemplary member of society.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 702-703.

JACOB BUSHEE, farmer, at Ossian, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, Novemher 22, 1822, son of John and Sarah (Derrick) Bushee. His father was born in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, of French parentage, but being reared among the Germans in that county he learned their language. Far back in the history of the religious wars in Europe and during the prosecution of the war between the Catholics and Protestants, the great-great-grandfather of our subject was one of those who dared to assert his belief in a Power above that of the Pope. The great massacres which followed, in which rivers of innocent blood flowed on the streets, will be well remembered by every reader of history. One of the three men that escaped the merciless sword was the remote ancestor of our subject. The trio separated and Bushee alone made his way to the seacoast where a vessel lay at anchor. Concealing himself among the rocks used for ballast, he lay for three days and nights before he allowed anyone to see him, the ship then being far away on the bosom of the sea. Search was made before the vessel sailed, and after she weighed anchor two other inspections were made, but his secure concealment baffled all discovery. He had been discovered by his to enraged avengers prior on board the vessel, but fortune favored him; and to this circumstance is due the fact that a race of men was begun in America, not prolific, but noted in many ways. The discovery of Bushee almost caused a mutiny on board the ship. The captain desired to put about and deliver him to the authorities; but between passengers and crew a reconciliation was effected, and money was raised to pay his fare, and he was landed in New York. It is supposed that he made his way to Perks County, Pennsylvania, married and reared three sons. One of these sons was John, who married and became the father of three sons, one of whom was Jacob, the grandfather of our subject, who married Christina Laudich, who also bore three sons. John, the second son, and father of our subject, married Sarah Derrick, who bore three sons Jacob, Richard and John W. The two latter died young. John had two brothers, Jacob and Isaac, who also married and had three sons. Each of Isaac's sons were married and in turn became fathers of three sons.

Jacob Bushee, our subject, was married in Laurel Township, Hocking County, Ohio, to Miss Olive Cave, August 1, 1847, by David Barnhill, J. P. Her father, Rev. Emanuel Cave, was born in Kentucky, and was one of the first settlers of Ohio, and when married to Elizabeth Mounce was unable to read or write. His wife taught him to read, and after his conversion he united with the Methodist Episcopal church. His aptitude qualified him to preach the gospel, and for sixty-six years he traveled and preached the Word to hundreds and thousands of people. His ministry closed with his death, but his last years were spent as a minister of the United Brethren church. In 1850 our subject came to this county, settling in Union Township. Twelve years later he purchased land in Jefferson Township. He cleared a seventy-acre farm in Ohio, and since coming to Indiana he has cleared enough land to amount to 300 acres, and at least fifty acres of this contained trees that were cut into logs, rolled and burned with his own hands. His location in Union Township was on the Indian Reserve, and his land was remote from roads. He cut his way to the tract, taking his wife and family into a rude log cabin near his land. Nearly all the men were young and robust fellows, and near his place was a settlement of Hocking County men, which he assisted in rolling logs and erecting their buildings, as well as the men in his immediate neighborhood. During the seven years following almost all the improvements were made. The clearings were divided into tracts, neighbors came in to help roll the logs, and were divided into squads under the leadership of a captain, and much rivalry was manifested among the different companies. Only a few men are now left who aided in the pioneer work of that day. It was then customary to take a "dram" while at work, as it seemed to stimulate to increased exertion among the men. Mr. Bushee, long used to clearing and rollings, was invariably chosen as a leader, and it is well known by men who were then participants that his squad was never second in the work. Perhaps no man now living has done more to aid the pioneers than Mr. Bushee, for his heart always had a kindly feeling for the sick or distressed. He aided in the building of almost all the early cabins. One of the most peculiar circumstances of his life was a presentiment which caused him to save the life of a neighbor. Charles Earle, now a resident of Union Township, was dangerously ill. Mr. Bushee had watched by his bedside until he was worn out with fatigue and loss of sleep. Leaving the sick man in care of three watchers, he left the house and was to return the next evening. At two o'clock at night the presentiment came that he must go back and see the sick man, he arose and half-dressed himself, but concluded that it was all a dream, and it would seem silly to go, as he was not to return that night. After breakfast he shouldered his ax and began cutting a tree about a quarter of a mile distant from his house. But when half done the impression came so strongly upon him that he must hasten to the sick man, that he left his ax buried in the tree, ran to the house and as quickly as possible was on his way. With his horse at its highest speed he made the three and a half miles and arrived to find Earle pulseless, cold, and, to all appearances, dying. Used to emergencies, he applied stimulants externally and internally, and later was rewarded by seeing his patient regain consciousness. Had he not acted with such promptness Earle's death would most probably have occurred a few moments later.

Mr. and Mrs. Bushee have eight children: Allen, Sarah E., William, Rhoda, James F., Matilda and Bethilda (twins), and Martha. The oldest son married Jane Woods, and she had three sons. Rhoda married William Amos Arnold. The other children are unmarried. This biography is one of the most remarkable on record, containing as it does the wonderful fact of several generations in which each father had three sons. Mr. Bushee has been one of the most active politicians in the northern part of Wells County, having frequently acted as delegate to the county conventions and has frequently been one of the county central committee.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 836-838.

ALEXANDER BYALL, an active and progressive farmer of Jackson Township, residing on section 30, is a son of John Byall, one of the old and respected pioneers of Wells County. Alexander was born on his father's homestead in Jackson Township, October 7, 1847, where he grew to manhood, his youth being spent in assisting on the farm and attending the common schools of his neighborhood. He completed his education at the Bluffton High School, which he attended three terms, and on attaining the age of twenty-one years he engaged in teaching school, which he followed eleven terms in connection with farming. April 24, 1878, he was united in marriage to Miss Christina Wallace, who was born in Rock Creek Township, Wells County, Indiana, February 17, 1852, a daughter of Thomas and Agnes Wallace, who settled in Wells County in the early days of the county. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Byall: Agnes M., John W., Maggie B., Henry V. and Victoria L. After their marriage they settled on the farm where they still reside, and by industry and good management have acquired their present fine property, their farm containing 112 acres under a good state of cultivation. Mrs. Byall received her education in the public schools of Bluffton, and taught several terms in Bluffton and vicinity before her marriage. She is a member of the Presbyterian church.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 937.

JOHN BYALL, who is now deceased, was one of the old and honored pioneers of Jackson Township. He came to Wells County in the fall of 1846, and settled on the northeast quarter of section 28, Jackson Township, this land having been entered by his father in 1840. Mr. Byall was born in Wayne County, Ohio, June 23, 1817, a son of James and Mary (Halfpruner) Byall, the father a native of Baltimore County, Maryland, born in 1788, and the mother born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, in December, 1799. They afterward settled in Wayne County, where they lived until their death, the father dying July 4, 1855, and the mother January 4, 1887. They were the parents of eleven children, six sons and five daughters. The father was a farmer by occupation. He was of French descent, his forefathers having left France for England. They were French Protestants and were persecuted for their religion. They subsequently came to America in a very early day, and settled in the State of Maryland. James Byall, the father of our subject, was a soldier during the war of 1812, and was in Hull's surrender. The mother drew a pension of $8 a month for this service until her death.

John Byall, whose name heads this sketch, grew to manhood in his native county, being reared to the avocation of a farmer, receiving his education in the common schools, and subsequently engaged in teaching school, which he followed both before and after coming to Wells County. He was married in Wayne County, Ohio, September 22, 1846, to Miss Magdalena Keagle, who was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, June 24, 1827. Nine children were born to this union: Alexander, Hamilton, Rosanna (deceased), Rachel (deceased), Oscar, Howard M., Henry S., Emma (deceased), and one who died in infancy unnamed. In his political views Mr. Byall was a Democrat. He served as justice of the peace several years, and also was township clerk and trustee, serving in all these official positions with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. When he came to Wells County, in 1846, the land was heavily covered with timber, and the surrounding country was in a state of nature. He lived in his pioneer log cabin arid cleared his land, and by industry and persevering energy he converted it into a well cultivated farm, erected a good residence and farm buildings, and by his honorable and upright dealings he gained the confidence and respect of the entire community. Mr. Byall died September 16, 1883, his wife preceding him two years, her death occurring January 25, 1881. The homestead is now occupied by his sons, Oscar and Henry S. Oscar Byall was united in marriage October 27, 1885, to Miss Martha E. McCoy, a native of Jackson Township, Wells County, born September 24, 1865, and to them have been born one child, William E. Mrs. Oscar Byall is a member of the Christian church.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 926-927.