ALBERT FALK, deceased, was born in Prussia, Germany, in the year 1806, a son of Johannas Falk. He was reared in his native country to the avocation of a weaver, remaining with his parents until he came to America. He left his native country in the spring of 1834, and after a voyage of fifty-two days landed at Baltimore, Maryland. He went directly to Richmond County, Ohio, and purchased eighty acres of land and engaged in farming. He was married in the fall of 1834 to Miss Catherine Pfaff, who was a native of the same place as our subject, coming to America in 1834. In 1849 they left Richland County for Indiana, where Mr. Falk purchased 160 acres of heavily timbered land in Wells County, of which only a few acres were partially improved. Shortly afterward he bought 100 acres, and later bought fifty acres more in the same township. He cleared and improved his land, and here he followed farming until his death, and by hard work, frugality and persevering energy he accumulated a large property, and by his fair and honorable dealings he gained the confidence and respect of all who knew him. He died April 28, 1879. His wife died March 6, 1858. They were the parents of nine children: Jacob, Joseph, Catherine (wife of John Davis), Susan (died, aged twenty-four years), Mary (wife of John M. Campbell, of Sedgwick County, Kansas), John, William (living in Kansas), Peter and Henry.

Their oldest son, Jacob Falk, who is one of the enterprising and progressive farmers of Rock Creek Township, is a native of Richland County, Ohio, the date of his birth being June 26, 1835. He lived on the home farm in Richland County until fourteen years of age, when he accompanied his parents to Wells County, Indiana. He lived with his parents until his marriage, in March, 1862, to Miss Rachel Jones, who was born in Rock Creek Township, Wells County, her father, Misheck Jones, being also born in the State of Indiana. Eight children have been born to this union, of whom one son, Isaac, died at the age of fourteen years. Those living are: Mary, wife of Edward Brown, of Fort Wayne; Eli, Jonathan, William, Clara, Jacob and Benjamin. In 1857 Jacob Falk purchased eighty acres of unimproved land on section 26, Rock Creek Township, which he began clearing and making improvements on the place. After his marriage he settled on his land where he has since made his home, where he has 110 acres of highly cultivated land, and his improvements are among the best in the county. In his political views he affiliates with the Democratic party.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 921-922.

JOHN FALK, an enterprising and progressive farmer of Rock Creek Township, was born in Prussia, Germany, the date of his birth being February 28, 1835. He is a son of Bernard and Theresa (Pfaff) Falk, who were natives of the same province, the father living there until his death, which occurred in 1883, at the advanced age ot eighty-three years. His widow is still living in Germany, aged eighty-two years. John Falk spent his youth in his native land, where he was reared to the occupation of a weaver. He remained in Germany until nineteen years of age, when, September 15, 1854, he set sail from Bremen, and after a voyage of thirty-five days landed at Baltimore, Maryland. Thirty-one of the passengers during that voyage were buried at sea. On arriving in Baltimore Mr. Falk was taken sick and lay in hospital for three weeks. When he came to America he was $90 in debt, and the first year spent in this country he worked to pay this money. His second year’s earnings were sent to his brother in Germany to pay his passage to America, but his brother changed his mind and remained in his native land. John remained in Baltimore until January 8, 1855, when he came to Wells County, Indiana, arriving at his destination January 16.

He was married November 29, 1860, to Miss Helen Dewitt, a daughter of Moses Dewitt, who came to Wells County from New York when Mrs. Falk was two years old. They are the parents of four children: Rosa Belle, David T., Francis L. and Edward. Mr. Falk worked out by the month until his marriage, when he settled in Markle, Huntington County, Indiana, where he was engaged in weaving for two years. He then removed to Lancaster Township, Wells County, and rented his father-in-law’s farm for one and a half years. He farmed rented land until 1867, when he removed to his present farm on section 35, Rock Creek Township, which he had purchased in 1865. His land at that time was a dense forest, entirely unimproved, but by hard work and persevering energy he has cleared and improved it, making it one of the best farms in his neighborhood. His farm is well drained and contains eighty acres of well cultivated land. In politics Mr. Falk casts his suffrage with the Democratic party.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 930.

The story of the life of Jacob Fatscher is an illustration of what may be accomplished in America by a man of German birth and parentage. After all, the great majority of us are creatures of our surroundings and environment. Had Jacob Fatscher been taught early in life that money was made only to be spent, that industry was something to be practiced only when forced upon him by necessity, and that economy was something intended solely for the mean, parsimonious and miserly, the story of his life would be far different. Fortunate in the possession of parents conversant with the value of money, the necessity of close application in all business undertakings, and the essential truth that without industry success is doubtful, the lessons taught him were in themselves a most valuable capital with which to start out in life.

Jacob Fatscher was born July 8, 1850. When he was two years old his parents emigrated to America, landing in New York city and taking up their abode in Brooklyn. His father was a skilled merchant tailor, and so was not long in procuring employment at remunerative wages. Fully cognizant of the value of an education, he took particular care to see that his children attended school regularly. He was also energetic in fortifying himself with a knowledge of the language, habits, ways, customs and tastes of the people in the midst of whom he was destined to spend the remainder of his life. In 1865 he had accumulated sufficient capital, educational as well financial, to justify him in branching out in business for himself. His business steadily grew and before many years he was gratified to number among his patrons some of the very best people. Meanwhile the youthful Jacob had acquired a knowledge of the business. He entered his father's establishment, first as an apprentice, next as a workman and, disclosing such keen business foresight and thorough knowledge of the requirements of the calling, his father soon offered him a partnership, which was readily accepted. In this way the business was conducted successfully until the parents died. Both parents were members and workers in the German Reform church and died in the faith of its teachings. The father was a man of many sterling qualities, provident and thrifty, who husbanded his means, was prudent in his investments and at his death left an estate valued at fifteen thousand dollars. They were the parents of three children, one of whom, Minnie, is dead. The others are Jacob and Maggie, who is the wife of George Schoener, of Brooklyn.

Remaining in Brooklyn after the death of his father in 1887 only long enough to wind up the affairs, Mr. Fatscher in 1889 emigrated westward with his family, taking up his residence at Ossian. He is the pioneer tailor, being the first to locate and conduct that business there. His business is most satisfactory and constantly growing. He has invested in property in the town and identified himself with all its various interests. In 1873 he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Bauman, and they are the parents of four children: Henry, who is associated with his father in business; Mamie, who is the wife of Adam Turner; George, a blacksmith in Bluffton, and Augusta M., at home.

Mr. Fatscher is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the endowment rank of the same order; he is past chancellor and has been a representative to the grand lodge. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the encampment at Bluffton, and represented the subordinate lodge in the grand lodge. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a straight Republican and at the present time holds the office of clerk of the town of Ossian. While fixed in his political convictions, he does not aspire to official distinction. Personally he is a genial, affable, whole-souled man, a faithful husband, an indulgent father, kind friend, good neighbor and a liberal, patriotic citizen.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 464-466.

Elizabeth Faust residing in Liberty Township is a daughter of Daniel and Frances (Stroop) Faust. She was married in 1862, in Liberty Township to Abraham Gray. Her children are George W. Gray, born March 4, 1866; William T., August 3, 1868; Jasper N., April 3, 1879. She was born in Ohio, July 31, 1840; is engaged in farming; settled in Wells County in ----. 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, p. 214.

George Faylor, a resident of Harrison Township, was born in Wells County, Indiana, April 5, 1855. His father, Solomon Faylor, was born April 6, 1814. His mother, Mary Ann Faylor, was born October 18, 1821. His wife, Margaret Alice (Boden) Faylor, was born, January 21, 1853, and died December 15, 1879. Her father, Thomas Boden, was born February 12, 1816; her mother Sarah Jane, was born February 6, 1817, died October 12, 1879. George Faylor's brothers and sisters were named, respectively: William, born January 4, 1841, died August 20, 1863; Elizabeth, September 27, 1843; Solomon, November 10, 1845, died August 22, 1855; Peter, September 30, 1849; John, December 2, 1852; Thomas Henry, May 22, 1858; Alice Josephine, May 13, 1861, died September 3, 1863; The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Faylor are: William, born January 1, 1838; Mary Ann, December 7, 1839; Emily, March 4, 1842; Thomas, May 7, 1844, died December 30, 1875; Josephine, August 22, 1846, died August 14, 1849; Sarah Jane, August 13, 1850; James Buchanan, May 16, 1856. 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, p. 208.

JOHN H. FERGUSON, of Ossian, is among the oldest residents of Wells County, having been born in this county in the year 1840. His parents, James and Eliza (Hume) Ferguson, were born in Scotland, the father in the northern part, and the mother in Edinburgh. His paternal grandfather, George Ferguson, was a millwright by trade, and was at one time very wealthy. When twenty years of age James Ferguson immigrated from Scotland to Canada, and on the same vessel was the little girl who afterward became his wife. Her parents both died before her third year. They arrived in Canada in 1820, where the girl grew to womanhood. James worked at the baker's trade some and also purchased a farm. He had two brothers, Thomas and John, who came to Canada, and resided near James. John was a sailor for many years, but finally gave up the sea and settled upon land. James Ferguson married Eliza Hume, April 9, 1833, the same little girl who crossed the ocean in 1820. Rev. McCauley performed the marriage ceremony. Mrs. Ferguson was born March 3, 1809. Three children were born in Canada -Charlotte, George H. and Agnes H. After his marriage James decided to change his locality, and February 1, 1834, he started on horseback and traveled across the country to Vermont and New Jersey, and February 22, arrived home at Hopefield, Canada. He kept a diary of his travels, now in possession of his son, John H., who has in his possession a slate and some carpenter tools which belonged to his grandfather George. Not being pleased with that country, he returned to his home in Hopefield, Canada, on February 22, being gone twenty-two days, and his brother Thomas having been in the vicinity of Fort Wayne, and writing encouraging letters, he decided to sell his farm in Canada and locate in Indiana. The family arrived in Allen County in the fall of 1838, having made most of the journey from Quebec via the lakes. Here James worked at various occupations for a few months, and in the fall of 1838 purchased 123 acres of land, which is now owned by his son James W., in Jefferson Township. In February of the year 1840 the family moved into their new cabin in the wild woods, and for the first time felt the joy of living on free soil that was purchased and owned in a free county. James early became a naturalized citizen, and as he had at least $600 cash to begin life in the new country, his family fared well. He was a typical Scotchman, and was one of the most earnest workers of the day. The first corn planted was devoured by squirrels and blackbirds, and the land was then sown in buckwheat. This proved a fair crop, and supplied his family through the winter. He was not one of the noted hunters of early times, but his persistent labor brought far larger returns. He was a great reader, a profound thinker and reasoner, and a devout Presbyterian. He was one of the first members of the first Presbyterian organized church in the county, and was one of the trustees appointed by the General Assembly of the State, approved January 13, 1845, Isaac Summers being his confrere. The church was known as the First Presbyterian Church of Elhanan. Near this church he donated an acre of ground for a public cemetery, in care of the trustees of the church. Mr. Ferguson was earnest in his endeavor to inculcate principles of morality and social virtues among the people, and the character of this neighborhood may now be largely attributed to these influences, which gave an impetus in the right direction. Five children were born in Jefferson Township-John H., Ellen M., James W., Charles and Nettle I. The father was an earnest Whig, and one of the founders of the Republican party in this county. He was a leader among men, and his counsels were largely sought. He was one of the trustees of the township for three years, and one of the first road supervisors. At his demise he had reached the age of seventy-five years. His wife's death occurred in 1881, at the age of seventy-two years. She was a lady of more than ordinary intelligence, a great reader, and took a deep interest in politics. Their children are all married except the youngest daughter. Charlotte married Christian Drage, a wagon-maker, residing in Allen County, near Middletown. George H. was a teacher for many years, and died January 20, 1859, aged twenty-three years. Agnes H. became the wife of Lewis Myers, a farmer and carpenter of Jefferson Township. Ellen M. married Frederick Drage, and resides with her three sons in Marion Township, Allen County. James W., who resides on the old homestead, married Mary Wagner. Charles married Isabella White, and resides near his brother James.

John H., our subject, is now a trustee of the Presbyterian church in his father's stead, while his brothers, James W. and Charles, are elders of the same church. He was a soldier during the war of the Rebellion, enlisting in August, 1862, a member of Company F, Eighty-eighth Indiana Infantry. He rose from the [illegible] to the office of Corporal, was promoted to Sergeant, in which position he served until the close of the Rebellion. He participated in the noted battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, the Atlanta campaign, with Sherman on his march to the sea, tramped through the Carolinas, and finally engaged in the battle of Bentonville. He was wounded at the battle of Stone River, and was also injured at Missionary Ridge on July 8, 1863, after crossing Elk River, but was off duty only a few days.

After his return from the war, April 26, 1866, he was married to Miss Maggie Clark, daughter of Abram and Catherine Clark, of Ossian. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson had four children-Jennie E., Marion J., and Albert B. are living; the oldest, a son, died unnamed. All the comforts that wealth could procure were lavished upon Mrs. Ferguson, but her health declined day by day, and her demise occurred May 2, 1885. The remains were buried in Oaklawn cemetery, at Ossian. His sister Nettie I. and daughter Jennie E. have since acted as housekeepers for the family. He is now engaged to marry an amiable lady by name of Mrs. Nancy Richie, in the near future. Mr. Ferguson lives in a style befitting a man of education and wealth, and such as one deserves who risked his life that the nation might live. In the year 1884 Mr. Ferguson composed quite a lengthy poem on the War of the Rebellion, which has never come out in print.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 815-817.

JOHN LEONIDAS H. FETTERS, of Harrison Township, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, December 13, 1849, the fourth son and seventh child of Thomas and Sarah (Bright) Fetters, who were natives of Ohio, grandparents of Pennsylvania, and of German ancestry. He was reared on a farm and received his education in the common schools. He remained with his parents until his marriage, which occurred December 15, 1870, with Miss Eliza Huber, daughter of Jacob and Barbara (Fisher) Huber. She was born in Fairfield County, Ohio. Her mother was from Ohio, and her father from Pennsylvania, and of German descent.

After his marriage Mr. Fetters settled upon the farm of his mother-in-law, and lived there until the fall of 1874, when, November 6, he came to Wells County and settled upon a tract of timber land on section 28, Harrison Township, which was entered from the Government by a man named Weekly, and was then transferred to the father of Mr. Fetters. He has since lived on this farm, and has improved it until it now contains ninety acres of land under cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Fetters have five children: Walter, Cora, Daisy, Carrie and Ethel. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. March 20, 1886, a cyclone passed over the eastern part of the place causing great destruction.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 845-846.

ZACHARIAH T. FETTERS, farmer, Harrison Township, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, May 8, 1847, the third son and sixth child of Thomas and Sarah (Bright) Fetters, natives of the same county. The father was a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Fetters. Our subject was reared to farm life and attended the common schools until he was sixteen years of age, then began working out by the month, which he continued until he was twenty-five years old. In 1863 he went to Tama County, Iowa, where he remained six months, thence to Shelby County, Illinois, remaining several months, then returned to his native county. In 1866 he drove a team to Independence, Missouri, where he remained a little over one year, thence to Leavenworth, Kansas, for a short time, then back to his home in Ohio. He started for California, but being unable to go through, went to Hancock County, Ohio, where he was married August 5, 1874, to Miss Catherine Ramsey, daughter of ________ [sic] and Louisa Ramsey, the former a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, of Irish descent, and the latter a native of Canada.

Six weeks later they arrived in Wells County and settled upon land his father had entered from the Government in 1844. He immediately began clearing and improving the land, and now has forty-seven acres cleared and underdrained. It is conceded to be one of the best farms in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Fetters have had four children-William A., born June 30, 1875; Benjamin F., born November 16, 1878; Charles De Forest, born August 6, 1880, and died September 26, 1881, and Sarah J., born August 16, 1882. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Fetters is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity, Lodge 114, at Bluffton, and of the Bluffton Encampment, 141. Politically he is a Republican. His farm contains eighty acres of land and it is well cultivated.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 974-975.

ISAAC FISHBAUGH, an active and public-spirited citizen of Rock Creek Township, where he is engaged in farming and stock-raising, is a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, the date of his birth being February 1, 1835, a son of Mordecai and Isabel (McDonald) Fishbaugh. The father was a native of Maryland and of German descent, removing from his native State to Ohio in the year 1812. The mother was a daughter of Alexander McDonald, who left his native country, Ireland, for America, and settled in Pennsylvania, where she was born.

Isaac Fishbaugh, the subject of this sketch, was reared to agricultural pursuits, which he has made the principal avocation of his life, and in his youth received a common-school education by attending the schools of his neighborhood. He lived with his parents until his marriage, March 24, 1860, to Miss Lucinda E. Decker, a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Decker. Mrs. Fishbaugh was born in Jay County, Indiana, but when an infant was taken to Ohio, in which State she was reared.

Mr. and Mrs. Fishbaugh are the parents of five children-Leonidas, Rufus H., Charles S., Francis B. and Madella. Mr. Fishbaugh continued to reside on the old homestead of his father until he removed to Wells County, Indiana, in the spring of 1871, when he settled on his present farm on section 20, Rock Creek Township. He then purchased 200 acres of land which was par tially improved, and by hard work and persevering energy he has added to his original purchase until he now has 480 acres of choice land which he has improved and brought under fine cultivation. He has been very successful in his chosen avocation, and from a small beginning he has become one of the well-to-do citizens of his township, and has surrounded his wife and family with all the necessary comforts of life. In politics Mr. Fishbaugh is a Democrat. In 1876 he was elected township trustee, serving as such four years. He has served as county commissioner three years, having been elected to that office in the fall of 1883. He has also held other local offices, in all of which he has given satisfaction. He and his family are active and consistent members of the German Reformed church.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 861.

Probably there cannot be found in Union township a more venerable man and venerated and respected citizen than Daniel Fisher, a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Crites) Fisher, of Pennsylvania birth and German extraction. Daniel Fisher, however, was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and the date of his nativity was June 14, 1826. His paternal grandfather was the founder of the family in America, having landed in New York when a young man. Henry Fisher married a Miss Crites in Tuscarawas county. The lady was also of German parentage and bore her husband ten children, viz: John, Daniel, Joseph, George, Henry, Solomon, Anna, Elizabeth, Lydia and one that died in infancy. Of the three members of this family who still survive, Daniel is the only one living in Wells county, Indiana. Although his father was a poor man when he settled in Ohio, he was a man of indomitable will and untiring industry, and at his death, which took place in the Buckeye state, he was worth at least twenty thousand dollars.

Daniel Fisher was reared to farm life and was educated in the common schools; being an apt scholar and possessing a retentive memory, he succeeded in securing a good education and at the age of twenty-one years, on quitting school, he began learning the cooper's trade, at which he worked one year, when, having saved sufficient funds, he came to Wells county and entered eighty acres of wooded land on the site now occupied by Jesse Crites. He returned to Ohio and remained at his trade two years longer.

Mr. Fisher was united in marriage in 1850, with Miss Sophia A. Myers and the young couple lived on the farm alluded to for seven years, when Mrs. Fisher was called to rest July 17, 1857, leaving three children, named Henry, Elizabeth and Margaret A. At the death of this, his first helpmate, Mr. Fisher returned to the home of his father in Ohio and remained on the old homestead, until his second marriage, which took place March 25, 1859, to Miss Sarah J. Shull. In April, 1859, he returned with his wife to Wells county, Indiana, and resumed the occupancy of his original farm, on which he resided until 1862, when he sold it and bought one hundred and twenty acres of his present farm, to which he has since added forty acres, having now a compact farm of one hundred and sixty acres of as good land as can be found in Wells county.

To the second marriage of Mr. Fisher have been born nine children, eight of whom are living: Emmett, Matilda, Clara C., George A., Rachel, Elmer, Ellsworth, Daniel B. and Della M. Mr. Fisher and all the members of his family, save one, belong to the church of God, in which he has officiated as deacon and elder for several years. Mrs. Fisher died August 25, 1890, after being an invalid, confined to her bed for twenty-four years, and an almost constant sufferer from rheumatism.

In politics Mr. Fisher is a stalwart Republican and has been a zealous supporter of the party ever since its foundation, having probably cast more presidential votes than any other man in Wells county, at least in Union township, including candidates nominated by both Whigs and Republicans. Mr. Fisher thinks for himself and is possessed of strong convictions, but is not obtrusive and is a kindly neighbor, and has lived to witness Union township developed from a genuine wilderness into a blooming garden. His only neighbor, in fact, when he first settled here, was Jesse Crites, each owning a horse and wagon, and when necessary to go to mill, the two would hitch the animals together, thus making a double team, and while one of them carried an ax with which to hew a road through the woods, the other would drive the horses.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 549-550.

WASHINGTON IRVING FITCH, of the Bluffton Manufacturing Company, was born in Wayne County, New York, May 25, 1841, a son of John Otis and Sarah (Hill) Fitch, natives of Wayne County, New York, the father born February 8, 1812, of Scotch descent, and the mother born October 6, 1814, of English descent. The father died May 27, 1886, and the mother March 26, 1887, on the homestead in Cayuga County.

When our subject was fifteen years old his parents moved to Cayuga County. He remained on the farm with them until 1863, when he came to Indiana and worked at the carpenter's trade at Kendallville until the spring of 1884, when he enlisted in the 100-day service and was assigned to Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Indiana Infantry. He served 120 days at Munfordville and Louisville, Kentucky. After being discharged at Indianapolis he returned to Kendallville and for a short time worked at the carpenter's trade, when he moved to Barry County, Michigan, eight miles south of Hastings, and in 1868 went to South Orange, New Jersey, and thence to Old Stockbridge, Massachusetts, where he remained until the fall of 1870, when he came to Bluffton, where he was soon after employed as workman in the corn-planter factory of T. Horton & Co. In 1883 he, with Lee S. Kapp and W. W. Weisell, organized the Bluffton Manufacturing Company, and he was by common consent made superintendent of the shop.

March 25, 1863, he was married in Wayne County, New York, to Miss Sarah Elizabeth McCaughan, who was born in Newburg, Orange County, New York, November 12, 1844, a daughter of John and Mary (Stewart) McCaughan. Her father was born in County Perry, Ireland, July 18, 1806, and remembers well the time when in 1836, 1837 and 1838 the Protestants carried their guns to church to prevent the Catholics from molesting them. Mr. and Mrs. Fitch have three children-Ida May, born April 2, 1867, in Barry County, Michigan; Anna C., born July 19, 1871, and Freddie G., born March 6, 1876, in Bluffton, Indiana. Mr. Fitch is a member of Bluifton Lodge, No. 114, and of Bluifton Encampment, No. 141, I. O. O. F., and has passed all the chairs and has been representative to the Grand Lodge in both the subordinate lodge and encampment, and has served as treasurer of the lodge five years. He and his wife and eldest daughter are members of the Baptist church.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 824-825.

J. D. FITZPATRICK, physician and surgeon, Vera Cruz, was born in Delaware County, Indiana, August 13, 1829, a son of William and Catherine (Hock) Fitzpatrick, the former a native of Kentucky and of Irish-English ancestry, the latter a native of Pennsylvania, and of German ancestry. His youth was passed in attending school. In 1853 he began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. Jelleff, of Vera Cruz, remained with him three years, then formed a partnership with him for two years.

In 1856 he was married to Miss Mary A. Bennett, daughter of Joshua Bennett, of this county, and they had one child, who died at the age of one year. Mrs. Fitzpatrick died soon after the birth of her child. The doctor then went to Camden, Jay County, where he followed his profession three years. His second marriage was with Miss Catherine S. Peirce, of Randolph County, this State, who was a native of Pennsylvania. Soon after this occurred he came to Vera Cruz, and had a successful practice for a period of twenty-six years.

For the past four years he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1883 he embarked in the mercantile trade with A. B. Shoemaker, his interests being represented by his son James F. Two years later he and his son purchased his partner's interest. He has sixty-five acres of well cultivated and well improved land. Mr. and Mrs. Fitzpatrick have had six children, three of whom are living:— James F., born May 20, 1864; Edward V., horn May 18, 1866, and Charles P., born April 27, 1873. Mrs. Fitzpatrick has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church ever since her childhood. Politically the doctor affiliates with the Republican party.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 889-890.

AARON FLEMING, one of the pioneers of Wells County, and a prosperous agriculturist of Lancaster Township, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, July 4, 1817, a son of Absalom and Sarah (Wright) Fleming, who were among the early settlers of that county. They were natives of Delaware and Virginia, respectively, and were married in Jefferson County, Ohio. Of the children born to them Aaron was the eldest child and only son. The eldest daughter, Mrs. Diana Cotton, lives in Bluffton; another daughter, Jane, lives in Michigan; and Rachel, Mrs. Lydia Stroup and Mrs. Mary Sides are deceased. Aaron Fleming was quite young when his parents settled in Wayne County, Ohio, and there he was reared to manhood, his youth being spent in farm labor.

In October, 1838, he started in life for himself, coming to Wells County, Indiana, where he worked as a hired hand for Adam Hatfield for two years for $200, receiving in payment a deed of 100 acres of land on section 2 of Rock Creek Township. One year later he returned to Ohio, and was married in his native State September 15, 1842, to Sarah Bell Kirkpatrick, who was born November 29, 1821, a daughter of Daniel and. Mary (Johnston) Kirkpatrick. Eleven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fleming, of whom six died in early childhood. Those yet living are-Mary Jane, wife of Albert Wilson, living in Lancaster Township; Sarah Ann, wife of Jeremiah Sowl, of Union Township; Lydia Bell, wife of James Wilson, of Harrison Township; Drusilla E., wife of Donaldson Wilson, of Union Township; Martha J., wife of David T. Wasson, of Union Township.

About two weeks after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Fleming settled on his land in Rock Creek Township, in a log cabin, where the following season they had three acres cleared and planted in corn and potatoes. They lived on this land nine years, opening about fifty acres, when they sold out and established their home where they now reside, on section 6, Lancaster Township, in 1852, and again commenced the laborious work of clearing the forest and building a home. He is now the owner of 479 acres of valuable land, which is all managed by himself, and has 250 acres under cultivation and well improved.

The parents of Mr. Fleming came to Wells County in 1844 and made their home with him in Rock Creek Township until he removed to Lancaster Township, when they lived on part of his farm in a separate house. Both lived to an advanced age, the father dying first. Some years after his death the mother, a remarkably active woman, considering her age, started out one morning to look for her cows. Not returning, search was made for her by the neighbors, when she was found dead, having been murdered, by whom or for what motive was a mystery which never has been solved, as it was not known that she had an enemy in the world.

Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Fleming are Presbyterians in their religious faith, Mrs. Fleming having joined the Presbyterian church in 1839, and Mr. Fleming becoming a member of the same denomination in 1846. In politics Mr. Fleming was formerly a Whig, but has been a Republican since the organization of that party.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 823-824.

Robert D. Fornshell, general merchant, Dillman, and one of the self-made men of Jackson Township, was born in East Waterford, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, December 26, 1818. His parents, Joseph and Margery (Douglass) Fornshell, were also natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. They were reared and married in their native state, and about the year 1823 emigrated to Preble County, Ohio. The mother died in Highland County, Ohio, and the father''s death occurred in Jay Count, Indiana. They had a family of three children who grew to maturity. The father was a wheelwright by occupation, which he followed until his death. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. The mother was a member of the Presbyterian church.

Robert D. Fornshell, the subject of this sketch, lived with his grandparents in Pennsylvania until fourteen years of age. After their death his father took him to his home in Preble County, Ohio, where he remained about five years, and then went to live with an uncle in Highland County, Ohio, with whom he lived until reaching his majority, when he began working on the farm as a farm laborer. In 1842, being anxious to improve his mind and fit himself for business, he attended the common schools of his neighborhood, and later spent two terms at the academy in Hillsborough, Ohio. October 5, 1844, he arrived in Van Buren Township, Grant County, Indiana, where he engaged in teaching school.

He was married August 18, 1846, to Mary A. Pitcher, who was born in Morgan County, Pennsylvania, October 29, 1829. Eleven children were born to this union, whose names are--Amanda M., William O. (deceased), Arthur N., Franklin P., Mary M., James B., Joshua P., Edward M., Robert D., Ida A. and Lavannee C. Mr. Fornshell taught altogether twenty-three terms of school, mostly in Van Buren Township, following that avocation during the winter months, and in the summer season followed farming. He bought a heavily-timbered farm in Van Buren Township, which he cleared and improved. For two years he was employed as clerk in the store of Robert Gilbert. In 1880 he engaged in the general mercantile business in the village of Van Buren, Grant County, Indiana, and in 1883 bought the store of Henry Templeton at Dillman, Jackson Township, Wells County, where he still remains.

Mr. Fornshell is a man of good business ability, and is meeting with success in his present enterprise, doing an annual business of several thousand dollars. While a resident of Van Buren Township, Grant County, Mr. Fornshell held the office of justice of the peace for twenty years. Mr. Fornshell began life in Van Buren entirely without means, having but $1.37, and from this small beginning he has by persevering industry and good management become one of the prosperous citizens of Jackson Township, being now the owner of a good business, a comfortable home, and forty acres of choice land. Mr. Fornshell in his political views affiliates with the Democratic party, and has held several local offices. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1857, in which year he united with Grant Lodge at Marion, Grant County. He is now a member of King Lodge, No. 246, A. F. & A. M., at Warren, Huntington County, Indiana. He and his wife were formerly members of the Christian church.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 875-876.

ANDREW J. FOUST, an active and enterprising citizen of Jackson Township, where he resides on section 11, was born in Salamonie Township, Huntington County, Indiana, May 15, 1860, a son of Jonathan and Sarah (Neff) Foust. Jonathan Foust was born in Highland County, Ohio, of German-English descent. When he was eight or nine years old he was brought by his parents to Salamonie Township, Huntington County, they being among the first settlers of that county, and are yet living on the original homestead, the father eighty-six and the mother eighty-four years of age. Jonathan Foust was reared on the old homestead amid scenes of pioneer life, assisting in making a farm out of the forest, living with his parents until after his marriage. He then removed to a forty-acre tract of timber land which he owned in Salamonie Township, where his wife died in January, 1864. Some two or three years afterward he sold his land and bought eighty acres one mile north, which he owned about four years, when he bought 235 acres along the Salamonie River in Jackson Township, Wells County, where he lived until November, 1885. He then disposed of this land and went to Washington County, Arkansas, where he now has a farm of 170 acres, and is still engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, being a member of Company I, Seventy-fifth Indiana Infantry, and was in the Fourteenth Army Corps. He was in all the engagements of the Atlanta campaign, and was with Sherman on his march from Atlanta to the sea and through the Carolinas to Washington, where he participated in the grand review at the close of the war.

Andrew J. Foust, the subject of this sketch, was reared in Huntington and Wells counties, the last half of his life to this time being spent in Jackson Township. He received his education in the schools of Jackson Township, completing his studies at Bluffton, and at the age of nineteen taught his first school. Since that time he has devoted every winter to that profession, and has taught in all forty seven months, becoming a popular and successful teacher. February 24, 1883, he was married to Miss Mary Batson, who was born in Wells County July 8, 1860, a daughter of Samuel J. and Catherine (Huffman) Batson. They are the parents of two children-Ada M. and Delmar. Mr. Foust is a member of the Protestant Methodist church, and his wife belongs to the United Brethren church. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of Salamonie Lodge, No. 392, I. O. O. F., at Warren.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 809-810.

SAMUEL FOUST is a native of Indiana, born in Salamonie Township, Huntington County, May 17, 1841, a son of Jonathan and Nancy (Shaffer) Foust. He was reared on the old homestead in his native county, where he was early in life inured to hard work, helping his father to clear and cultivate the farm, but the lessons of persevering industry learned in those days have been of lasting benefit to him. He was married May 17, 1861, to Miss Margery King, a native of Wells County, and daughter of Gabriel and Susan King, old settlers of Liberty Township. Mr. and Mrs. Foust have had six children, of whom four are living-William, Ella May, Benjamin Alvadore and Charles Arthur. Jonathan Adam and Jacob Sylvester are deceased. Mr. Foust lived with his parents until about two years after his marriage, when he bought forty acres of partially cleared land, adjoining the old homestead, on which he lived until coming to his present farm on section 1, Jackson Township, in September, 1875. His home farm consists of ninety-six acres, of which about seventy-six acres have been cleared, and most of this has been done by himself. Besides this land he owns another tract of fifty-nine acres, where he has thirty acres cleared.

In politics he affiliates with the Republican party, and has held the office of supervisor since becoming a resident of Jackson Township. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist church at Salem, of which he is trustee. Three of Mr. Foust''s brothers were soldiers in the war of the Rebellion, Jonathan and Adam being members of the Seventy-fifth Indiana Infantry, and Jacob belonging to the Thirty-fourth Indiana Infantry.

Jonathan Foust, the father of our subject, was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and when a young man removed with his parents to Highland County, Ohio, where they lived until their death. He was married in Highland County to Miss Nancy Shaffer, who was a native of Maryland. In 1839 Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Foust came by team to Indiana and located on the old Foust farm in Salamonie Township, Huntington County, across the line from Jackson Township, Wells County. The father had entered there 160 acres of heavily timbered land on which not a tree had been cut, and he immediately began clearing a space on which to build his cabin. He was a great worker, and before many years had his farm cleared and improved, and he and his wife lived to enjoy the fruits of their years of toil, and after passing through all the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life are now surrounded with all the necessary comforts of life, yet living on the old homestead in Salamonie Township, the father aged eighty-five years, and the mother eighty-three years of age. In politics Jonathan Foust was formerly a Democrat, but has affiliated with the Republican party since its organization.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 886-890.

CHARLES MELVIN FRANCE, an active and enterprising citizen of Bluffton, and senior member of the law firm of France & Lee, was born in Windsor County, Vermont, June 8, 1833. His parents, Frederick and Alice (Stoughton) France, were born in the State of Vermont, the father of Welsh-German descent and the mother of Puritan ancestors. Twelve children were born to them, of whom only five survive-Charles M., our subject; William H. H., superintendent of the Adams County Infirmary; Martha P., of Willshire, Ohio, widow of George W. Place; Mary, also living in Willshire, is the widow of Seth Watkins, who was killed at the battle of Shiloh while in the Union service, and Philemon, living in Van Wert, Ohio. The father was a farmer by occupation. In 1846 he came West with his family and located in Licking County, Ohio. In May, 1853, he removed to Adams County, Indiana, locating on a farm in St. Mary''s Township, where he died the following September. He was a Universalist in his religious belief, and while living in Vermont was a member of the Universalist church. The mother is still living at the advanced age of eighty-seven years, making her home with her son in Adams County. She is a member of the Baptist church at Pleasant Mills.

Our subject, Charles M. France, was reared from his thirteenth year in Licking County, Ohio. In his youth he attended the district schools, and completed his education at the high school at Hartford, Ohio, where he spent eighteen months. On becoming of age he engaged in farming in Mercer County, Ohio, and for ten winters, until 1865, he taught school in Mercer County, Ohio, and in Adams County, Indiana. He settled in Adams County in 1865, where he followed farming until 1869. He then began reading law in the office of James R. Bobo, of Decatur, with whom he subsequently became associated in the practice of law under the firm name of Bobo & France. This partnership was dissolved in 1876. Mr. France continued to practice his chosen professor at Decatur until 1879, being at different times associated with others, and in November of that year he came to Bluffton, Wells County, where he has since been in constant practice. He was associated with Jay G. French as France & French until 1884, when he formed a partnership with M. W. Lee, thus forming the present law firm of France & Lee.

Mr. France has been twice married. He was first married to Miss Miranda Thomas in Delaware County, Ohio, December 24, 1853. She died while on a visit in Whitley County in 1857. She left one son, John T., who is now an attorney at law at Decatur, Indiana. For his second wife Mr. France married Miss Elizabeth Santhrin, of Adams County, Indiana, the date of this marriage being October 20, 1870. In politics Mr. France is a Democrat. While living in Adams County he served as justice of the peace for twelve years. He is a Master Mason and is a member of the Masonic lodge at Decatur, and is also a member of the Knights ot Pythias lodge at Bluffton. Mrs. France is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 760-761.

Among the older families of Adams County, those who have been here since pioneer times and developed the country in its material aspects, have built homes, have aided community growth and development, one of the best known is represented by Mr. Andrew J. French, a practical farmer who lives one mile south of Linn Grove.

He was born in French Township, Adams County, November 15, 1866, a son of William and Sarah (Johns) French, and a grandson of that Joseph French for whom this township was named. Joseph French was the first man to locate permanently in the township, and he became a natural leader in the community affairs. William French was born in Dearborn County, Indiana, February 16, 1823, and was twelve years of age when in 1835 the family settled in Adams County. There he grew to manhood, and in Wells County he married Sarah Johns. She was born in Virginia, October 26, 1828, and was ten years of age when in 1838 her parents moved from Virginia to Wells County, Indiana, locating about a mile west of Newville. There her father entered land from the Government, and in the midst of the heavy woods built a log cabin home. He lived there the rest of his life, dying in 1870, and had seen his efforts rewarded by extensive clearings and the development of a good farm. There were seven children in the Johns family, all of whom are now deceased but Mrs. William French. Her sister, Sarah Frances, married George Sheldon. Mary married William Mayo. Virginia became the wife of Andrew Linn. Charlotte's first husband was Lou Sheldon and her second husband, George Sinomison [sic]. John S. married Trissie Horton. James never married. Mrs. William French is a member of the First Baptist Church at Bluffton, and at the organization of that church her parents were charter members.

After their marriage William French and wife settled on a farm in Hartford Township and some years later moved to Arkansas, where he died one year later. Mrs. French then returned to Hartford Township and has lived there for thirty-four years. She is the mother of five children: Charlotte, wife of William Miller of Muncie, Indiana; Joseph, deceased; Melissa, unmarried and now a teacher in the Linn Grove schools; J. D. French, a teacher in the Petroleum schools of Wells County; and Andrew J.

Andrew J. French grew up in Hartford Township and received his education at Linn Grove. At the age of seventeen he gave up his books and studies to busy himself with farming, and for some years he was also engaged in the operation of a sawmill. His activities are now confined to the operation of a good forty-acre farm, where he is handling the staple crops of this section and raises considerable stock. Mr. French is a past noble grand of Linn Grove Lodge No. 683 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in politics is a democrat.

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, p. 739.

There are not many families entitled to honorable mention in this history because of earlier settlement in Wells County than the French family, for its founder came in 1835 and it has increased and prospered here ever since. The present head of the family still living on the old homestead is Eli French, one of Nottingham Townshjp's most highly respected citizens. He was born in his parents' cabin, on the banks of Six Mile Creek, in Harrison Township, February 12, 1854, and is a son of John G. and Lydia (Wiest) French.

John G. French was born in Dearborn County, Indiana, November 27, 1824, and was a son of Joseph and Eliza (Beach) French. They were natives of Massachusetts who came to Wells County, Indiana, in 1835, when John G. was eleven years old. Here he grew to manhood and his first marriage took place on February 22, 1849, to Mary Ann Heller, who died December 25, 1849, leaving one child, Mary, who became the wife of George Mowery. On March 18, 1851, John G. French was married to Lydia Wiest and the following children were born to them: Amos, Eli, Henry, William; Elizabeth, who became the wife of John Gentis; John who lives in Michigan; Hattie, who became the wife of Jethro Potter. John G. French died November 27, 1897, his wife having died October 18, 1895. Before his death Mr. French divided his land among his children, retaining only the homestead for himself. At one time he owned 500 acres or more. In many ways he was a remarkable man. He was endowed with stupendous physical strength and at the same time was gifted with a brilliant mind. For his own satisfaction he completed a course in law and was admitted to practice in the Wells Circuit Court. His retentive memory and his thorough good fellowship rendered him a delightful companion, even in advanced years, and his reminiscences of pioneer days in this section were as interesting as any romance ever written. He had many friends for he never forgot a kindness and never failed to repay many fold. It is a privilege to thus recall one of the sturdy men of other days who was so long identified with Wells County and helped make its history.

Eli French assisted his father in boyhood and youth and attended school at Morris Chapel and remained at home until twenty-three years old, when he married. At that time Mr. French had but small capital but he bought eighty acres of land and in the course of time purchased an adjoining eighty acres, and also owns a part of the old John G. French farm. He carries on general farming and has always been considered a farmer of good judgment and practical ideas.

Mr. French was married March 25, 1877, to Miss Eliza Risley, who was born in Harrison Township, Wells County, Indiana, and was reared and educated there. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. French, as follows: Jennie, who is the wife of Leroy Jacob, of Harrison Township; Carrie, who is the wife of Fred Bowman, of Nottingham; Myrtle, who is the wife of Wilson Dunbar of Linn Grove, Adams County, Indiana; Emma, who is the wife of Levi Brown, of Fort Wayne; Harriet, who is the wife of Edward Coffman, living in California; Anna, who is the wife of Guy Kindell, of Nottingham Township; Ica, who is the wife of William Grandlienard, of Adams County; Grace, who lives at home is a high school graduate; and Hazel, who is deceased.

Mr. French and family are active members of the Christian Church at Linn Grove. He is identified with the Lodge of Odd Fellows at Linn Grove, and is past noble grand of the lodge. He is a stanch democrat and a hearty supporter of party policies and candidates, but he has never been willing to serve in any public office although exceedingly well qualified because of his sound judgment and his high personal character.

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, p. 563-564.

A well known educator of Wells County is J. D. French, for the past nine years a teacher in the Petroleum public schools, and additionally one of the county's enterprising and successful agriculturists. He was born in Hartford Township, Adams County, Indiana, November 25, 1863, and is a son of William and Sarah (Johns) French, the latter of whom was born in 1828, in Virginia, and is still surviving and bearing well the weight of years.

William French was born in Dearborn County, Indiana, the second son of Joseph French, an early settler in this state. Joseph French reared the following children: Joel, William, John G., Minerva, Sylvia, Mary and Melissa, the eldest being an early teacher in Adams County. William French grew to manhood on his father's farm and then arrived Sarah Johns, who was an educated woman and a school teacher in Wells county. After marriage William French and wife took possession of the log cabin in which all their children were subsequently born, and they lived on the Adams County farm until 1882, when Mr. French sold that property and purchased a farm in Arkansas. He died shortly after taking possession. His widow remained in Arkansas for one year and then returned to Indiana and bought a farm near Linn Grove. There were five children in the family, namely: Charlotte, who is the wife of William Miller, of Muncie, Indiana; Joseph, who died at the age of thirty years; Melissa, who has been a teacher for twenty-five years; J. D.; and Andrew, who resides with his mother.

J. D. French was reared in Adams County and attended the county schools and was one of the first two graduates. This was in 1882 and he then taught school in Adams County until 1886, when he entered Valparaiso University, from which he was graduated with the degrees of B. S. and A. B., having completed the scientific course in 1890, and the elocutionary in 1891 and the classical course in 1894. Mr. French was then elected superintendent of the Linn Grove schools and remained there two years. Subsequently he taught at Whiting, Indiana, for four years, and at Lisbon, Illinois, for four years, and then took a post graduate course in science in the Illinois Normal University. Mr. French has life certificates in both Illinois and Indiana.

In 1901 Mr. French bought his present farm in Nottingham Township, Wells County, and is paying quite a good deal of attention to breeding high grade stock. In the meanwhile Mr. French has continued in the educational field and, as stated above, has been identified for almost a decade with the Petroleum schools, having taught in every department.

Mr. French was married August 18, 1894, to Miss Sarah McEhinary, who was born in Henderson County, Illinois. Like Professor French, she is a B. S. graduate of Valparaiso University, and prior to her marriage was a popular teacher in her native state. They have three children, namely: Fleming, who is a graduate of the Petroleum High School, later attended the Muncie Normal School and subsequently was graduate from an automobile school in Chicago, is one of the patriotic young men worthy of all honor, now a member of an engineer corps of the United States on duty in France; Helen, who is a graduate of the Petroleum High School, was a student for two years in the State Normal School and taught one term prior to her marriage to Christian Egly; and Winnifred, who is a student in the Petroleum High School.

Mr. French is a member of Linn Grove Lodge, Odd Fellows, of which he is past noble grand, and Mrs. French belongs to the order of the Eastern Star and to the Royal Neighbors. In his views on public questions Mr. French has firm convictions, and in the belief that many of the country's ills are caused by intemperance, he has identified himself with the prohibition party and is an active worker for the cause. The family belongs to the Evangelical 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, p. 462-463.
Contributed by Nola Rains

DAVID FRITZ, one of the self-made men of Wells County, engaged in farming and blacksmithing in Rock Creek Township, is a native of Germany, born in Rettersburg, Oberamt, Waiblinger, Konigreich, Wurtemberg, January 19, 1818, the eldest son and second child of George and Catherine (Greiner) Fritz. Our subject was reared on his father's farm until fifteen years of age, when he began learning the blacksmith's trade, and after serving an apprenticeship of two years he worked as a journeyman blacksmith in various places in his native land until he emigrated to America. He left Amsterdam for the United States April 22, 1848, and landed at New York June 12 following. He immediately went to Pottsville, Pennsylvania, where he was variously employed for one year, after which he worked at his trade in that city for five years.

March 26, 1850, he was married to Miss Lydia Freeze, a daughter of Peter Freeze, of Berks County, Pennsylvania. To this union nine children were born -- John, Cordelia, wife of Thomas White, of Bluffton; Daniel, deceased, Lovina; Eliza, wife of William Wysong; David; Mary, wife of Charles Metz, Henry J. and Charles F. In 1854 Mr. Fritz removed from Pennsylvania to Fairfield County [OH] with his family, which then consisted of his wife and two children. He was engaged in blacksmithing at Stoutsville, Fairfield County, when he came to Indiana, and November 7, 1858, he purchased eighty acres of unimproved land where he now resides. By hard work and perseverance he cleared his land and converted it to a good farm, and was successful in his agricultural pursuits. He erected a blacksmith shop on his land, and has since followed blacksmithing in connection with his farming operations. Besides his home farm he had a tract of seventy-six acres in Union Township, which he sold in 1887. Mr. Fritz was bereaved by the death of his wife July [not readable] 1886. She was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Fritz is also a [not readable] and active member of the same church and is a much respected citizen of Rock Creek Township, having by his fair and honest dealings gained the confidence and esteem of all who know him. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 908-909.

J. E. Fry served one year as Trustee of Benton Township. He was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, March 23, 1840, and married in Pike County, Ohio, November 21, 1869, to Catherine E., daughter of Henry and Susan (Lay) East, born in Virginia, September 21, 1851. Mr Fry is a son of Jesse P. and Christina (Snapp) Fry; is a resident of Liberty Township, and engaged as a farmer and merchant. He settled in Wells County in 1876. Both himself and wife are members of the M. E. Church. His brother, Joseph A., served nineteen months in the 17th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His father was a soldier of 1812. Mrs Fry's grandfathers were both in the War of 1812. 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, p. 214.

James H. Fry born in Hampshire County, Virginia, October 5, 1834, was a soldier of the war of the Rebellion, a member of the 5th Regiment; was a colour-bearer until October 30, 1865. He was married in Fairfield County, Ohio, August 2, 1856, to Mary E., daughter of Henry and Sarah (Emerond) Berger, residents of Fairfield County, Ohio. His children are: Clay, born March 16, 1858; Emma, February 21, 1860; Henry H., February 16, 1862; Elmer E., September 10, 1865, died October 19, 1865; Lucy, February 16, 1871; Joseph, April 20, 1873; Ada, May 2, 1878, died May 11, 1878; Huldah, December 7, 1871; Della, October 12, 1879. Mrs. Fry was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, May 13, 1839. James H. is a son of James H. and Nancy J. (----) Fry, settlers of Wells county in November 1873. He is a resident of Liberty township; settled in Wells county March 16, 1871. He was born in Hampshire County, Virginia, October 5, 1834. Business, farming. 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, p. 214.

In the daily laborious struggle for an honorable competence and a solid career on the part of a business or professional man there is little to attract the casual reader in search of a sensational chapter; but to a mind thoroughly awake to the reality and meaning of human existence there are noble and imperishable lessons in the career of an individual who, without other means than a clear head, strong arm and true heart, directed and controlled by correct principles and unerring judgment, conquers adversity and, toiling on, finally wins, not only pecuniary independence but, what is far greater and higher, the deserved respect and confidence of those with whom his active years have been passed.

Back in the early 'fifties there came to this country a sturdy Frenchman, Albert Fry by name, who was convinced of the possibilities and opportunities awaiting the man of ambition, pluck and energy, in this land of freedom. He located in Wayne county, Ohio, and about 1856 was united in marriage with Susan Ashbaucher, the daughter of Peter Ashbaucher, a prominent farmer of Wayne county and a native of Switzerland. To this union there was born, on the 31st of March, 1858, a son, Joel, the immediate subject of this sketch. While the latter was yet a babe, the war of the Rebellion was precipitated and Albert Fry was among the first of the brave volunteers from his county to offer their services, and lives if need be, that the integrity of the national government might be maintained. In 1864, after several years of active and arduous service, he was granted a furlough and started for home, but, like many others, was stricken with sickness and died before reaching his loved ones.

Shortly after her husband's death Mrs. Fry and her son came to Indiana, locating in Adams county where, in 1869, Mrs. Fry was married to John Yost. Joel Fry remained with his mother until attaining manhood, in the meantime attending the district schools of the neighborhood and acquiring a fair education. Until he was eighteen years of age he worked on his step-father's farm and acquired a thorough knowledge of agriculture. At the age mentioned he started out to earn his own living, possessing no capital other than a determination to succeed and an energy and capability for work which was bound to result in his favor. For a year he struggled, doing any work he could find to do, turning his back upon nothing that promised him an opportunity to earn an honest dollar By strenuous endeavor and rigid economy he was at length enabled to purchase a threshing machine in partnership with his uncle, Albert Yeager, and continued in the operation of this machine until he was twenty-one years of age, when he sold his interest in the business to his partner. The following year he moved to Wells county and purchased a portable saw-mill and followed the lumber business for two years with a fair degree of profit. He had acquired a good working knowledge of business methods and had won for himself a reputation for honesty and fair dealing which assisted him materially in his future operations. Feeling that the pursuit of agriculture offered the most independent life and the surest returns, if properly managed, he, in the fall of 1882, purchased the farm in section 31, Lancaster township, upon which he now resides. This farm comprises one hundred and five acres and has been developed and improved by the subject until it now ranks with the best farms of the township. Mr. Fry continued to operate the saw-mill in connection with his farm until the spring of 1902, when he ceased the operation of the former and has since devoted his entire attention to his farm. He bestows great care upon his fields and by closely studying the adaptability of the soil to the different crops has brought his place up to its highest producing capacity, never failing to realize abundant returns for the time and labor devoted to his chosen calling.

On the 22d of February, 1880, Mr. Fry was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Stauffer, the daughter of Christian Stauffer, of Adams county. This union has been a most congenial one and Mrs. Fry has in many ways proven herself a helpmate in the truest sense of the word. They are the parents of six children, briefly mentioned as follows: Della Belle, born April 7, 1881; Arley Hiram, born December 26, 1882; Meadie, born April 4, 1887; Ada Pearl, born February 18, 1890; Homer Franklin, born August 4, 1893, and Walter Edward, born March 23, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Fry are endeavoring to give their children good educations and rear them in such a manner as will result in the highest standard of manhood and womanhood.

From the attainment of his majority Mr. Fry has been actively identified with the Democratic party and has always taken a keen interest in the advancement of his party's interests. In the fall of 1900 he was nominated for the office of township trustee and at the ensuing election was successful at the polls and is now serving in this responsible position. He is giving to the duties of this office the same careful attention to details as characterized his conduct of his own affairs and the wise discrimination and sound judgment evinced by him have already won for him the hearty commendation of all people, regardless of party. Fraternally Mr. Fry is a member of the Knights of Pythias, having joined the order in the fall of 1902, in Bluffton Lodge No. 92. In 1897 the subject united with the First Reformed church of Bluffton and has since been a faithful and devoted member of that congregation. He gives liberally of his means to all worthy objects and all movements having for their object the betterment of his fellow men receive his earnest support. He is a man of quiet, gentlemanly demeanor, highly esteemed by his neighbors and fellow citizens of the community and no one occupies a more conspicuous place in the minds and hearts of the people by whom he is known. His private character is above criticism and he has always aimed to keep his name and reputation unspotted. His has been an earnest life, fraught with much that tends to benefit his kind and his career in the humble sphere of private citizenship, as well as in public position, has added to the character and stability of the community in which he lives.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 421-423.

GEORGE FRYBACK, of Ossian, was born near Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio, son of George and Susannah (Deam) Fryback. They were of German ancestry, the Deam family being natives of Virginia, and the Frybacks of Maryland. The parents were married in Ohio, and in September, 1839, they came to Indiana with eight children, Sarah, who married Joshua A. Duer, and Roselda, who married Norman Clark, remaining in Ohio. They made a home in Rock Creek Township. The name of the children coming to this county were-Massy, Caty Ann, Charlotte, Polly, Lewis, John, George, and William. The first cabin was soon erected in the wild woods. Their goods were transported with teams, one being an ox team and the other one a horse team. The children were old enough to lend great assistance in clearing the land. The father was not a healthy man and spent much of his time in the woods with his rifle. The larder was always filled with venison, although the family were sometimes scarce of bread. The father was a noted bee hunter and wild bees were very plenty. The honey tasted strongly of "richweed," which grew in great abundance, and in some places the pea vine upon which the stock fattened was at that time plentiful in the woods. The father had but little money left after his half section of land was paid for. Most of the clearing was done by his sons, who grew up strong and robust.

Our subject was fond of the chase, and many a fine buck was carried to his father's cabin. Wild turkey and raccoon were also plenty, and most of the money the early settlers had was derived from the sale of deer skins, furs, etc., which were captured during the winter and spring months. One of the first hunts taken by our subject was after a yoke of steers that had strayed away. Armed with a flint-lock gun, he started, in August to look them up, and perchance kill a deer. He had not proceeded far up the river when he sighted a deer standing in the river some distance away. Hoping to get a shot, he peered cautiously about, and as the water was low, waded out a considerable distance from shore. Sighting his game, he crossed the river and came out almost opposite the deer, concealing himself in a tree top. The deer turned his head toward him and within good shooting distance. George had a severe attack of buck fever, but after taking aim several times, pulled the trigger and the deer fell. He reloaded his gun and waded in for his game, which was carried home in great triumph.

The parents lived to a ripe old age. Their home, during the last few years of their life, was made with our subject, the children being all married and settled in life. The father was eighty-three years old at his death, which occurred July 30, 1875. The mother died in February, 1877. Eight of the children are now living-Charlotte and George being all that are living in this county. George married Eve Schwartz, in 1849, daughter of George and Sarah Schwartz, also early settlers of this county. The Schwartz family came from Montgomery County, Ohio, and settled in Rock Creek Township in 1841-'42. For several years the young couple lived on the father's farm, George having built a hewed log cabin, and in 1854 he purchased the land upon which he still resides. His first improvement was a cabin, and he began clearing and digging up the stumps. In a short time he had a nice little farm. Children were born to them in the cabin where their domestic life was begun, and while their advent increased their joys they also added to their cares. Oliver D. and Levi T. were born on the old homestead. James, Frank, Mary M. and Sarah S. were born on the land now owned by the father. After a small field was cleared and planted to corn, our subject moved to the Schwartz farm, where he remained two years, renting his own land. All the improvements his tenant made during his absence was to burn up a lot of rails that he had made before renting, and when he returned, his farm was not in a much better condition for tilling than when he left it.

Mr. Fryback has attended many of the log-rollings and cabin and barn raisings in this neighborhood, and muscle was used to its greatest extent. As the years rolled by, improvements became more marked. Frame residences took the place of the old log cabins with their mud-and-stick chimneys. The children grew to maturity, and four of them are happily married. Oliver was the first one married; he became the husband of Emma Shelly, whose parents were German. They resided in Bluffton when the marriage took place. They had three children, but the wife is now deceased. Levi married Samantha, daughter of Abram Woodard, who now resides in Ossian; the young couple now reside in Jefferson Township on a farm; they have had five children. Mary became the wife of William Karn, a farmer of Union Township, and they have three children. James married Jennie Ferguson, whose parents came to this county from Kansas. Only one daughter is married; she resides at Uniondale, where James does carpenter work. Mr. Fryback has not sought office, but he has filled several official positions in his township. Their daughter Mary secured a good education, and obtained a certificate for teaching, but never engaged in the profession. Frank remains with his parents and helps to work the farm. The old log cabin has been replaced by modern buildings, and the pioneer of 1840 can hardly recognize the beauty and wealth of the country through whose trackless woods the bounding deer and thrumming turkey were so often pursued.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 827-828.

ALLISON FULTON, farmer and stockraiser, Harrison Township, was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, March 15, 1820, son of Robert and Letitia (Kenning) Fulton, also natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a son of James Fulton, who came from Ireland and settled in western Pennsylvania, forty miles east of Pittsburg, when the inhabitants were principally Indians. The mother was a daughter of Charles Kenning, of Indiana, who was born in Ireland, immigrated to America and settled in Pennsylvania.

Our subject was reared on a farm and remained at home until he was of age, after which he went to Maryland and took charge of a plantation for five years. He then returned to his native county, where he was married October 17, 1850, to Miss Mary Catherine McQuade, daughter of Andrew and Sarah McQuade, who were natives of Pennsylvania and of Irish descent. In the fall of 1853 our subject removed to Indiana, accompanied by his parents, driving through with teams. Mr. Fulton purchased 155 acres of heavily-timbered land, which they at once began to clear and improve. They have lived on this farm thirty-four years. He afterward added eighty acres to his original purchase, but has disposed of it.

Mr. and Mrs. Fulton have three children-James M., a postal clerk on the Wabash Railway, living at Huntington, Indiana, was married March 15, 1872, to Mary Powell, daughter of David and Catharine Powell; John M., a real estate dealer in Kansas City, Missouri, was married March 23, 1880, to Mary Daily, a daughter of Samuel and Lucinda Daily, and has one child--Harry; Frank O., living on the old homestead, was married August 19, 1886, to Rose Eaton, daughter of Thomas and Mary Eaton, and has one child-Allison. The parents are active members of the Presbyterian church, and in politics Mr. Fulton is a Republican. Mr. Fulton is a self-made man. By industry and economy he has acquired a good property that will make his life comfortable in his old age.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 757.

The family of which the subject of this review is an honorable representative has long been identified with the history of northeastern Indiana and in each succeeding generation it has furnished the business and professional world with men of eminent ability and sterling worth. Prominent among these is Hon. George E. Fulton, whose position as a distinguished physician and surgeon rests upon an assured foundation and whose career as a legislator is creditable alike to himself and to the county honored by his citizenship. The Doctor is proud to claim the county of Wells as his native home, having spent the greater part of his life and achieved his professional success within its borders. His father, John Fulton, and his mother, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Egbert, were born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, the former a son of James Fulton, of whose family history a more complete account will be found elsewhere in these pages.

The subject was born in the town of Ossian on the 8th day of October, 1855, and at the age of three years lost his father, the mother dying when he was a lad of eight. The severing of family ties by the ruthless hand of death caused the youth to find a home with relatives who took him to Illinois and later to Iowa, in which state his early educational discipline was acquired. After completing the common school course he pursued his studies for some time in the Sioux City high school, after which he spent several years steamboating on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, finally stopping at the city of New Orleans, where for a period of three years he served in the capacity of hotel clerk. After these varied experiences it became necessary for him to make choice of some profession or vocation for a life work. His tastes and inclinations leading him to decide upon medicine, he took a preliminary course of reading under the direction of competent instructors and then entered Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he graduated with an honorable record in the year 1878. Receiving his degree, Dr. Fulton returned to his native city and entering the office of his brother, J. C. Fulton, at Murray, was soon in the enjoyment of a lucrative practice, which continued unabated until his removal to a large and more inviting field at Bluffton four years later. During the last twenty years he has maintained an office in the latter place, building up an extensive business, second to that of no other medical man in this part of the state, and continually adding to his reputation as an eminent physician and surgeon. Dr. Fulton stands admittedly in the front ranks of Wells county's distinguished professional men, possessing a thoroughly disciplined mind and keeping in close touch with the trend of modern thought relating to the noble calling to which his life and energies have been devoted. He has ever maintained his high standing, never descending beneath the dignity of his profession nor compromising his usefulness by countenancing any but noble and legitimate practice. The apparent ease with which he has mounted to his present a commanding position in the healing art marks him as the possessor of talents beyond the majority of his professional brethren and, being a close and critical student, he experiences no difficulty in sustaining the high reputation which his professional abilities and marked success have earned for him.

While primarily interested in his life work, Dr. Fulton has not been unmindful of the duties which every citizen owes to the public. He has ever taken an active part in promoting the material welfare of his city and county, aiding with his influence and means ail enterprises with that object in view. In politics he is pronounced in his allegiance to the Democratic party and for a number of years has been one of its recognized leaders in this section of the state. He has never been an aspirant for official honors, but in 1888, at the earnest solicitation of many friends he permitted his name to be placed on the ticket as a candidate for representative to the lower house of the general assembly. He was easily elected and his career as a lawmaker proved eminently satisfactory to his constituency regardless of party affiliation, resulting in his re-election in 1890. While a member of the legislature he served on some of the most important committees, took not only an active but influential part in the general deliberations of the body his ability as a public speaker always commanding the most respectful attention from both sides of the house. He introduced a number of bills which became laws, beside being instrumental in bringing about much important legislation which has had a beneficial influence upon the state in many ways. Dr. Fulton is an accomplished campaigner, contributing greatly to the success of the cause on the dustings as well as by judicious advice in party councils. While deeply interested in public matters in general, he does not let these things interfere with the successful prosecution of his professional duties. He holds himself in readiness to answer the numerous calls for services at all hours and rarely does he permit the matter of remuneration to prevent him from alleviating suffering, be the patient ever so poor or humble. Some years ago he served as health officer to Wells county and for the city of Bluffton for six years. He is a member of the county and state medical societies, having served as president and secretary of the former, and not infrequently has he read before these bodies carefully prepared papers evincing ripe scholarship, critical analysis and original and profound investigation. For a period of twelve years he has been holding the position of surgeon for the Clover Leaf Railroad, during which time he has performed many delicate operations and saved lives which but for his skill would have been lost. Fraternally the Doctor is a member of the Pythian order and religiously subscribes to the Presbyterian creed. Believing that religion is largely a matter of the conscience, he is tolerant in his opinion, believing all churches to be great moral and spiritual forces calculated to save men from their sins and win them to a high life here and an infinitely better and grander state of existence hereafter.

Dr. Fulton was married in 1881 to Miss Mary Mosy, who departed this life on the 20th day of June, 1892, the mother of two children, Anna and Jane, the latter dying January 16, 1892. The Doctor's present wife, whom he married in 1894, was formerly Miss Elizabeth Muth.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 104-105.

The native Hoosier is as proud of the commonwealth of his birth as any man on earth. He has many and very substantial reasons for being so. It is a productive state; it is inhabited by progressive people; it has kept pace with its neighbors in the matter of material advancement; politically it is the most liberal state in the Union, never being chained to the triumphal car of either political party; its climate is healthful; its air is salubrious, and the opportunities for individual advancement in Indiana are at least equal to those of ally other The only person who need not be ambitious to be a native Hoosier is the one who can lay claim to that distinguished honor as his birth-right.

C. B Funk, the subject of this article, is a native of the Hoosier state. He was born in Chester township, Wabash county, Indiana, on the 26th day of January, 1857. He is the son of Samuel D. Funk and wife, Catherine (Burk) Funk, the latter a native of Ohio. The grandparents of the subject were natives of Germany; they were prosperous and thrifty, and coming to America at an early period, possessed of considerable money, they located in Huntington county, where a tract of nine hundred and sixty acres of land was purchased, out of which they carved enough land for each of their sons and daughters to make a good farm. Here his son, Samuel, the father of C. B. Funk, was married to Catherine Burk, daughter of Abraham Burk, and took up his abode upon the land granted him by his father. Finding a piece of land located in Wabash and Whitley counties quite to his fancy, he took occasion to dispose of his place in Huntington county, purchased the Wabash county land and moved his family thereto. A part of the tract extended over into Whitley county, but the house, barn and outbuildings were located in Wabash county. This was the birth place of C. B. Funk, and on this place Samuel Funk resided until his death, which occurred January 2, 1892. His good wife, Catherine, is still living; she owns the old home place, but does not live upon it, preferring to make her home with her children.

Samuel and Catherine Funk were the parents of ten children. Only one of the interesting group has passed into eternity, Delila, who died when four years of age. The others are J. B., Sarah A., George M., Oliver W., Mary J., C. B., Elizabeth, Elenora and Ora. J. B., Oliver and Elenora are still residents of Wabash county, the latter the wife of H. T. Tillman; Sarah is the wife of James Roadarmey and lives in Illinois; George and Elizabeth live in Kosciusko county, the latter the wife of G. M. Rice; Mary is the wife of Rev. Samuels, of Eaton, Ohio, and Ora is Mrs. Warren Robbins, of Kosciusko county.

C. B. Funk grew to manhood in Wabash county and attended the public schools until he was twenty years of age. So well did he improve his time that after passing a very creditable examination he was granted a license to teach. That calling, however, was not wholly to his taste. One term sufficed to convince him that imparting knowledge to the youths of the land was a calling in which others might excel. He ceased to have any ambition whatever for the acquisition of fame in that direction, as farming and stock raising were more to his taste. For seven years he assiduously devoted himself to this labor, renting the old home place on the shares, thereby greatly improving his financial condition.

On August 28, 1881, C. B. Funk was united in marriage to Catherine Swank, a native of Wabash county, Indiana, having been born there March 17, 1861. She is the daughter of John and Fannie Swank, both natives of Ohio, but early settlers of Wabash county, Indiana. Fannie died in 1872, but John is still living, residing in California. They are the parents of ten children, all of whom are living. Sarah is Mrs. William Heeler; Susan is Mrs. Mike Snydeman; Emma is Mrs. Mahlon Harmon; Mariah is Mrs. S. W. Heeter; these and their brother James all reside in Wabash county; Zacharia and Ambrose live in Miami county; Dayton lives in Huntington county; Catherine is Mrs. C. B. Funk and Frances is Mrs. Mort Kenard, of Kosciusko county. All are worthy citizens, highly respected in the various communities in which they reside.

Four years after his marriage C. B. Funk moved to Adams county, Indiana, where he purchased eighty acres of land, chiefly on credit. It was nearly all cleared and fairly well improved. After twelve years of unremitting toil and commendable economy he found himself wholly out of debt, with a farm so splendidly productive and under such thorough cultivation as to excite the envy of many of his less industrious neighbors. The receipts from the products of this place alone were sufficient, not only to pay for the land, but to leave its owner with a comfortable bank account. In addition to his labors on the farm he devoted much of his time, during the season, to threshing and to the manufacture of lumber and shingles. In 1898 he disposed of this land and secured a farm of one hundred and twenty-one acres in Nottingham township, Wells county, on which he now lives. Of this tract one hundred and five acres are cleared and under cultivation. He is still interested in threshing, owning one of the best threshing rigs to be found in that section of the state. At this time he is discharging the duties of trustee of the estate of his father over in Wabash county. He is also an extensive breeder of shorthorn cattle, Poland China hogs and Shropshire sheep.

Mr. and Mrs. Funk are the parents of three children, two of whom are living: Artie B. was born February 15, 1886, died October 23, 1886; Flossie M. was born February 5, 1887, resides with her parents and has finished the regular course in the district schools of Nottingham township; Losier was born August 30, 1897.

Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Funk do not belong to the same denomination. He is a member of the Evangelical church, while she belongs to the Christian church. This, however, does not interfere in the least with the Christian zeal or work of either. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Lyn Grove and of the encampment at Bluffton, and both are members of the Rebekahs at Liberty Mills. He is a lifelong Republican in national and state affairs, but in local matters believes in supporting the man whom he considers most worthy and capable. As a man, a citizen, a husband and father, the story of the life of C. B. Funk conclusively proves that he is and has been all that he should be in each and all of these capacities.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 221-223.

This popular young druggist at Liberty Center, Wells county, Indiana, is a native of Wayne county, Ohio, where he was born June 11, 1862, a son of Absalom and Anna (Bower) Funk, the former of whom was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and a son of Benjamin Funk, and the latter, also a native of the Keystone state, a daughter of Jacob Bower. From Pennsylvania Absalom Funk was taken to Ohio, where he grew to manhood and married Miss Bower. He there followed farming and milling until November, 1866, when he came to Liberty township, Wells county, Indiana, and purchased three hundred and twenty acres of woodland, on which, in 1867, he erected a saw-mill, which, in 1868, was destroyed by fire. Within two years, however Mr. Funk had another mill running, and continued to operate it until 1874, when he removed to Lancaster township, Wells county, and engaged in farming and the nursery business. His death, which occurred July 9, 1875, was caused by exposure while at work in his nursery, the shock of the fatality being a severe one to his family and numerous friends. The children born to Absalom and Anna Funk were eight in number, and in order of birth were named as follows: Mary, who died in infancy, in Ohio; W. H., now in Bluffton, Wells county; Martin, a miller in Liberty Center; Benjamin F., a farmer in Wayne county, Ohio; Jacob A., a resident of Rock Creek township, Wells county, Indiana; Susan M., wife of Dr. Garrett, of Liberty Center; John B., whose name opens this biographical sketch, and Rachel M., wife of William Bowman. Absalom Funk was a Republican in politics and while living in Ohio served as a justice of the peace under the auspices of his party; his widow is now seventy-seven years old and is still quite active.

John B. Funk attended the public schools of Liberty township until twelve years of age and then entered the Bluffton city schools, in which his education was completed in its literary elements, and he next attended the normal school one term, to be the better prepared for the profession of teaching. The winter following his graduation from this institution Mr. Funk taught school, and the following July (1883) he was engaged by Dr. F. W. Garrett and Dr. Morrison as a clerk in their drug store. Within a short time thereafter Mr. Funk purchased Dr. Morrison's interest in the stock, later bought one-half of the building, and finally, in 1888, purchased Dr. Garrett's interest and for a short time conducted the business alone. Mr. Funk's next partner in business was J. W. Rinear, father-in-law of Mr. Funk, who bought a one-half interest. This partnership was maintained for two years, when Mr. Rinear sold out to Dr. Edwin Rinear in 1892, but a year later Mr. Funk bought out the Doctor and has since had sole control of the business, of which he has made a thorough success. In 1895 Mr. Funk purchased a forty-acre tract of land in section 16, Liberty township, Wells county, to which, in 1901, he added thirty-two acres adjoining, and also purchased a one-and-three-quarter-acre lot, on which stood a barn. He rents out this land, but reserves the right of raising some stock for his own use.

John B. Funk's marriage was solemnized April 2, 1885, with Miss Hannah S. Rinear, who was born December 28, 1866, and is a daughter of Senator J. W. and Sarah Rinear, Mrs. Funk being the first white child born in Liberty Center. At their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Funk went to housekeeping in their present handsome dwelling in Liberty Center and here they have been blessed with three children, namely John A. J., born May 22, 1886, now in his second year in the high school, having attended one term at the Marion Normal School; Mabel, born December 13, 1888, and now in her eighth year at school; and Charles Rinear, born February 2, 1892, in the fifth grade at school.

Mrs. Funk is an active worker in the Baptist church and Mr. Funk is a member of Liberty Center Lodge No. 747, I. O. O. F.; he is also a member of the Bluffton Encampment No. 141. He has passed the chairs in the camp, to attend which ceremony he was compelled to travel eight miles. It may also be added that Mr. and Mrs. Funk are members of Rebekah Lodge No. 83 of Bluffton, in which lodge Mrs. Funk is particularly active.

In politics Mr. Funk is a warm Republican, and in 1889 was appointed postmaster of Liberty Center, a position he held for four years and two months to the entire satisfaction of the people and the postoffice department, the result being that he was retained by his successor, H. J. Johnson, as deputy, for another term of four years; he was then again commissioned postmaster of Liberty Center and still holds that responsible office, a continuous term of fourteen years in all, as either principal or deputy. It was through his strenuous efforts that the office at Liberty Center has been made a money order office, Mr. Funk has also been successful in his efforts to establish the rural postal route connected with Liberty Center. He has held a notary public's commission for four years, and in serving the interests of his party has been a delegate to numerous county and congressional conventions, in which his voice was always heard in the best interests of his party.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 366-368.