GEORGE GAISER, an active and enterprising citizen of Chester Township, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, the date of his birth being August 6, 1835, and is a son of George and Anna (Pfengstag) Gaiser, his father dying when he was four years old. He passed his youth in his native country, remaining there until eighteen years of age, when with his brother David he immigrated to America, sailing from Havre, France, on the steamer Connecticut, and after a rather pleasant voyage of thirty-five days, they arrived in New York, having but 50 cents in money, without friends, and unable to speak the English language. David Gaiser went to Dayton, Ohio, while George remained in New York and bound himself out to a shoemaker named Demmler, with whom he worked about three months. He then went to another shoemaker named David Eldredge, with whom he served the rest of his apprenticeship, and after learning his trade he worked for Mr. Eldredge as a journeyman for some time. After leaving New York he went to Dayton, Ohio, where he again met his brother. He soon found employment with a man named Michael Neff, for whom he worked until 1861.

October 28, 1861, he was married to Martha A. Cloud, a native of Highland County, Ohio, and daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Sharp) Cloud, both now deceased, the father dying November 3, 1876, and the mother about the year 1850. Mr. Cloud was one of the earliest settlers of Grant County, Indiana, where he experienced many of the privations and hardships of pioneer life, living in that county until his death. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gaiser one son, David H., died in Kansas in the fall of 1886. Those yet living are- Daniel, married Eliza Liddle and is now living in Boehmer, Indiana; Melvin A., William A. and Sarah Anna. In October, 1861, Mr. Gaiser enlisted in the war of the Rebellion at Dayton, Ohio, and was assigned to Company A, Fifty-eighth Ohio Infantry. His regiment rendezvoused at Camp Chase, Columbus, and from there proceeded to Fort Donelson, participating in battle the same night. He next took part in the battle of Shiloh, participating in both days' fight, his immediate command being under General Lew. Wallace. He then went to Corinth, thence to Memphis, and from there to Helena, Arkansas, where he participated in the Vicksburg campaign. He was at Chickasaw Bayou, under General Frank Blair, and was there taken prisoner and brought into Vicksburg, where he was paroled the same night. At the end of thirty-five days he was taken to Jackson, Mississippi, and thirty-five days later was taken to New Orleans, and after remaining there a few months he was taken by ship to New York and finally to Camp Chase, where he was exchanged and returned home on a furlough. He rejoined his regiment at Vicksburg, which was stationed there on provost duty, and Mr. Gaiser was appointed Regimental Orderly, holding that position until January, 1864, when he received an honorable discharge after an honorable service of over three years. He participated in battles, campaigns, marches and sieges, and experienced many of the horrors of the Southern prison pens, and after the war returned to his family at Dayton, Ohio.

He then removed to Grant County, Indiana, where he bought twenty-three acres of land, for which he paid $300 down, when he went to Warren, Huntington County, to work at his trade to pay the balance on his farm. He worked at his trade for seven winters, when he settled on his farm, and after getting his land paid for he traded it for forty acres, paying the difference in money, and afterward obtained eighty acres in the same manner. After paying for this last tract of land and improving it he sold it and bought eighty acres of land in Chester Township, where he has since the spring of 1882 made his home. In politics Mr. Gaiser casts his suffrage with the Republician party. Both he and his wife are members of the United Brethren church, and during their residence in Chester Township have gained the respect of the entire community.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 826-927.

SAMUEL H. GALYEAN, a representative of one of the early families of Lancaster Township, is a native of Indiana, born in Henry County, May 13, 1832, a son of Thomas and Tabitha Galyean. Our subject is the only one of his father's family who made part of the family after coming to Wells County, they settling in Lancaster Township in 1842. He remained with his father until reaching the age of eighteen years, when he began life for himself. He has spent the greater part of his life in Wells County, and has become one of its most respected citizens. He lived two years in Wayne County, and during that time, November 14, 1852, he married Miss Edith Ellis, who was born in that county September 23, 1833, a daughter of Mordecai and Ruth Ellis. Eight children have been born to this union-Mrs. Mary Alice Grove, living in Nebraska; Thomas M. died in his fourth year; Mrs. Tabitha Olive Fox; John Lee married Della Grove, and lives in Nebraska; Ephraim M. died in his sixteenth year; Samuel H., living with his parents; Rachel C. died in her seventeenth year, and Martha E. at home.

Mr. Galyean settled on his present farm in 1853 and for a short time occupied a log cabin. He then built a hewed log house, which has since been replaced by a commodious two-story frame residence, which the family now occupy, and his other farm buildings are correspondingly good. The entire improvements on the land have been made by our subject and his wife. His farm is located on section 19, Lancaster Township, and consists of 120 acres of well cultivated land, all of which with the exception of five acres being cleared from the timber by Mr. Galyean. In politics Mr. Galyean is identified with the Republican party. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church. Mr. Galyean was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting in October, 1864, in Company B, Fifty-third Indiana Infantry, his regiment being part of the Seventeenth Army Corps. He served until the close of the war, and was in line at the grand review at Washington in June, 1865. and after the war returned to his family at Dayton, Ohio.

Thomas Galyean, the father of our subject, was born in North Carolina, February 22, 1787. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving a year, and after its close, in 1814, he came with his father, Thomas Galyean, to Wayne County, Indiana. Thomas Galyean, Sr., was one of the patriots of the Revolution, serving four years and six months. He died in Wayne County. Thomas Galyean, the father of our subject, married Tabitha Warren, a native of Tennessee, born in the year 1789. Some years after their marriage they became pioneers of Henry County, where they cleared a farm in the wilderness. They sold their farm in Henry County in 1837 and moved to La Porte, La Porte County, Indiana, where Mrs. Galyean died soon after, leaving five children-Elizabeth, deceased, wife of Joseph Richey; Nancy, Sophia, Jane, and Samuel H., our subject being the only one now living. In 1842 the father came to Lancaster Township, Wells County, and was here married to Mrs. Rachel (Pettit) Scott. He made his home on section 29 on a farm that had been opened up by James Scott, the former husband of Mrs. Galyean, and here he resided until his death, which occurred in 1861. His widow survived him about ten years.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 771-772.

ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS TO THE BIOGRAPHY OF SAMUEL GALYEAN (provided by Bill Galyean, wgalyean@access.mountain.net)
Tabitha Warren Galyean, mother of Samuel was actually born Jan 10, 1794 and not 1789. She was a Quaker prior to her marriage to Thomas. She was disowned for marriage contrary to displine. (Vol. 1, pg. 105, Whitewater Monthly Meeting).
Edith Ellis, Samuel's wife, was a Quaker prior to the marriage. She was disowned for marriage contrary to displine. (Vol 2, pg. 157, Springfield Monthly Meeting)

MRS. MARTHA GARDENOUR, of Uniondale, was born near Sharpsburg, Washington County, Maryland, in 1837 [death certificate states born 1830], daughter of Abram and Mary Griffin, who were the parents of eight children--Henry, Thomas, Mary A., Caroline, Elias, George, Abram and Martha. All are living and married except the eldest daughter, who is deceased. Our subject was married to Jacob Gardenour in 1850, and they settled in Maryland, where they lived until five children were born-Alice, John, Catherine, Sarah, and Ann. In 1864 they removed to Indiana, where Mr. Gardenour purchased the farm upon which his widow now resides, and which was then owned by his brother John. The latter made his home with them during his life-time, as he was unmarried. In the first place Jacob bought eighty acres, and in 1877 John made his brother a present of the other eighty.

When Mrs. Gardenour came to this county with her husband and family they moved into a log house, which is yet standing; but the wildness of the country, even at that late date, was almost sufficient inducement to make him wish to return to his native county had Mrs. Gardenour given her consent. They remained, however, and he became one of the most prosperous farmers. The land has been mostly cleared by himself, and one of the neatest country residences in the township was erected by him prior to his death. Little did they dream when a home was made in the leafy woods of Union Township, that a few years later a beautiful and thrifty village would stand upon a part of their land, and that a railroad would pass their door. Yet all of this has transpired, and Jacob Gardenour and his family have become well known throughout the county.

Mr. Gardenour was born in Washington County, Maryland, where he was reared and remained until his marriage. Of his ancestry but little is known. His brother Joseph married Ellen Dewitt, and resides in this county; George is a resident of Smithsburg, Maryland; Maria married Peter Havermale, and lives in Canton, Illinois. These are his brothers and sisters. He was a practical farmer and never held official positions of any kind, preferring to improve his farm and enjoy his home and family. His death occurred in March, 1885.

After their location in Wells County, three other children were born-William, Frank and Elvia [Elva]. Alice married John Crum, and has six children--Frank, Charles, Delbert, Effie, Attie M. and Ivy; John is the husband of Addie Brichley [Brickley], and they have one son--Earl T.; Ann wedded Wm. Scott, who resides on his father's farm in Union Twp. The other children live with their mother on the home farm in Uniondale.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 692-693.
Transcribed by Cathy Burnsed

GEORGE E. GARDINER, of Bluffton, Indiana, is truly a representative citizen of Wells county. He also represents that great host of patriotic men who in response to their country's call went out to battle for the union of the States in the great Civil war from 1861 to 1865. He is a native of Wayne county, Ohio, born April 4, 1835, and is the son of James and Jane (McCaughey) Gardiner. The father was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, but of Irish descent, and the mother of Columbiana county, Ohio. George Gardiner, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Ireland, and there married Elizabeth White, who also was a native of that country, and together they emigrated to America in the latter part of the eighteenth century, locating in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where they resided many years, and thence moved to Wayne county, Ohio. They were the parents of four sons and four daughters. James Gardiner, the father of our subject, was born June 5, 1800, and married October 9, 1827, to Miss Jane McCaughey, daughter of Joseph and Jennette McCaughey. Of their family of eight children, all of whom grew to be men and women, only two are now living -- George E. and Samuel. The deceased are Elizabeth, Jennette, Margaret, Sarah, Joseph and Wilson.

The early life of our subject was spent in his native State, and in 1849 he came with his parents to Wells county, Indiana, where he has since continued to reside. Soon after removing to Wells county, his father was seriously wounded in a wolf hunt and as a result was disabled from performing manual labor during the remainder of his life. George was the eldest son, and upon him fell the task of providing for the family. The country was then new, money was scarce, and it may well be imagined that the family had a hard time in making a respectable living. Our subject, however, was equal to the task imposed upon him, and continued faithfully to serve the family until his marriage. By that time the children were all grown and able to care for themselves. His educational advantages, it may be surmised, were very limited indeed, but while his school-days were few in number by constant reading and reflection he has become a well informed man.

When the war for the Union commenced, our subject was engaged in caring for the home farm. The desire to enlist he withstood for a time, but in August, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company E, Thirteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Col. S. S. Bass, of Fort Wayne, who was subsequently killed at the battle of Shiloh. With his regiment, our subject participated in all its battles, skirmishes, arid marches, including Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka, Florence, Decatur, Huntsville, Stevenson and Battle Creek. At the latter place he was prostrated with fever, removed to Nashville and placed in a hospital. After slightly recovering, on account of disabilities received from exposure and forced marches, he was discharged and returned to his home. On the restoration of his health he re-enlisted, in Company A, Forty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and participated in all the engagements in and around Mobile, Alabama. Notwithstanding the war closed in the spring of 1865, he was retained in the service until October 26 following, when he was mustered out and honorably discharged at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The patriotic fever in the family of our subject was not confined to him alone. His two elder brothers, Joseph and Samuel, enlisted at the breaking out of the Rebellion, and two years later the fourth brother, Wilson, also enlisted. Joseph and Wilson, in June, 1864, were both killed in battle near Dalton, Georgia. Samuel received a wound, and from the effects of the exposure still suffers from paralysis, which renders him entirely unfit for any duty, but he has the warm sympathy of all around him. Few families in the entire country gave more for the Union than that of James Gardiner.

On receiving his discharge, Mr. Gardiner at once returned to his home and engaged in teaching school, but in the meantime he purchased a tract of land in the woods of Wells county, which he improved and which he continued to cultivate until December, 1870, when he was appointed Deputy Treasurer of the county. For five years he served in that office, and in November, 1875, was elected County Auditor for a term of four years. No man that ever held the position discharged its duties more faithfully than our subject. He retired from the office at the expiration of his term broken in health, but with the good wishes of all who knew him. He was subsequently a member of the City School Board of Bluffton, and served several terms, -- in all fifteen years.

On the 24th day of September, 1863, Mr. Gardiner was united in marriage with Miss Mattie E. Ogden, by which union there was one son, John R., who was born November 16, 1870, and who is now married and assisting his father in the gas office at Bluffton. His wife died September 26, 1885, and he subsequently married Mrs. M. C. Thomas.

In politics Mr. Gardiner was formerly a Republican, but is now a strong Democrat. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, being a Knight Templar. He is also a member of Lew. Daily Post, No. 33, G. A. R. He was reared in the United Presbyterian Church, but has long since been identified with the Presbyterian Church of Bluffton, and is a Ruling Elder in the same. In the erection of the handsome church edifice of that denomination he took a very active part, giving almost his entire time to the superintendency of its construction, and contributing liberally from his means. In everything he is a man of principle, and in his private habits we may remark that he neither drinks intoxicating liquors nor uses tobacco.

Mr. Gardiner was one of the organizers of the Bluffton Light and Fuel Company in 1879, and for some years was one of the directors of the company and also its secretary. The enterprise was sold to the Fort Wayne Gas Company in 1894, but Mr. Gardiner was retained as secretary, and has held that position ever since. He is a stockholder in the Bluffton Manufacturing Company, and also in the Bluffton Boot and Shoe Company. In every position of trust he has been faithful, and no man stands higher in the estimation of the public. Commencing life a poor boy, without help from any one, he has toiled on, enduring hardships, and to-day is numbered among the well-to-do men of Wells county. While at all times a strong party man, he has ever enjoyed a confidence and esteem not alone of his political friends but also of his political opponents. Of a genial nature, he not only makes but retains friends, and upon no one are honors more worthily bestowed than the subject of this sketch.

Memorial Record of Northeastern Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1896, pp. 195-197.

Frank C. Garrett has long enjoyed a substantial position in the community of Liberty Township of Wells County, where he has spent practically all the years of his life, and in the last ten or fifteen years especially has become more than locally known as a successful breeder and raiser of the big type of Poland China hogs. He has a fine farm, well adapted for his special purposes of stock raising.

Mr. Garrett was born on a farm in Liberty Township July 11, 1866, a son of Noah and Leah (Funk) Garrett. His father was in many ways a distinguished citizen of Wells County. Born in Mahoning County, Ohio, December 17, 1839, oldest son of Joseph Garrett, he had only the advantages of the common schools and at the age of sixteen began learning the carpenter's trade. His apprenticeship consisted of six years, after which he became successful as a contractor and builder. In January, 1861, he removed to Indiana, and a year or so later brought his family to Wells County. On December 25, 1860, he married Miss Leah Funk, of Wayne County, Ohio, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Roach) Funk. On coming to Wells County Noah Garrett bought eighty acres of timber land for $800. He paid $300 in cash and employed himself at his trade to pay the balance. For a number of years he continued farming in connection with his mechanical industry, and as his resources and experience grew likewise his success seemed to multiply. He was a splendid judge of livestock, very capable in handling them, and in the course of time he had a farm of 330 acres, all highly improved. For a brief time he served in the Civil war, enlisting October 30, 1864, in Company A of the Fifty-third Indiana Infantry. He saw some of the hard fighting toward the close of Sherman's brilliant campaign through Georgia and the Carolinas, and was a participant in the battles of Kingston and Goldsboro, North Carolina. He remained with the army until the surrender of Johnston's army, and was honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, July 21, 1865. Noah Garrett was an active republican and he and his wife were members of the Baptist Church. For a number of years he was a member of the Shorthorn Association of Wells County. He and his wife had four children: I. V. Lester, deceased; Alice, wife of Alonzo F. Rittenhouse; Frank C., and Walter O., of Liberty Center, Indiana.

Frank C. Garrett grew up on a farm adjoining the one which he now owns, acquired his education in the local district schools, and since attaining manhood has found his energies fully employed with his business as a farmer and stockman. He followed the example of his father as a factor in the livestock industry, and for the past fifteen years has specialized with high grade Poland China hogs. Every year he has had a sale of his animals, and from these fifteen sales his stock has been distributed and served to raise the standard of good swine industry throughout this section of Indiana. Mr. Garrett is a stockholder in the Keystone Bank and is a director in the Farmers Insurance Company. His farm comprises 120 acres in Liberty Township. Mr. Garrett is a republican in politics, and he and his family are members of the Baptist Church in Liberty Center.

On January 31, 1888, he married Miss Elizabeth Boltin. She was born in Liberty Township of Wells County. Mrs. Garrett is the daughter of Wm. J. and Mary A. (Richardson) Boltin. The mother was born in Ohio and the father in Wells County, Indiana. Mr. Boltin died September, 1914, aged seventy-three years. His wife is living, being sixty-nine years of age, at Liberty Center, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Garrett have had five children, namely: Lola M., wife of H. H. Ellis; Alonzo B. who is married and living in Huntington County, Indiana; Flo, who died at the age of three and a half year, N. Mount, and Mary A.

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. 527-528.
Contributed by Nola Rains

FRANK W. GARRETT, physician and surgeon, Liberty Center, was born in Ashland County, Ohio, June 27, 1855, a son of Joseph Garrett. When six years of age his parents removed to this county, where he was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. At the age of twenty years he began teaching school, and taught three years. In 1878 he began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of John A. Morrison, of Liberty Center. While he was still pursuing his studies, he and his preceptor engaged in the drug business as partners. In December, 1879, he was appointed postmaster under President Hayes' administration, holding the office three years and ten mouths, then resigned. He took his first course of lectures during the winters of 1880-81, and the second in 1881-82, and graduated March 1, 1882, at Butler University, Indianapolis. He then began practice at Liberty Center, continuing the drug business at the same time. He also associated himself with his former preceptor in his practice, which he continued two years. He then succeeded him and is now the only practitioner in the place. He has a large and lucrative practice and is eminently successful. He was married April 5, 1882, to Miss Susie Funk, a daughter of Absalom Funk, and they have one child, Joseph P., born June 10, 1883. Himself and wife are members of the Baptist church, and politically Mr. Garrett affiliates with the Republican party.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 757-758.

Who he is, what he does and some measure of his influence hardly requires a statement in Wells County when the name of O. D. Garrett is mentioned. However, for the benefit of the few who are not personally acquainted with his achievements it may be said that he is a farm and stock buyer owning one of the best country homes near Liberty Center.

It was in April, 1862, when O. D. Garrett was six months old and a little too young to be conscious of his environment, that the Garrett family journeyed out of Ashland County, Ohio, into Wells County, Indiana, and made settlement in Liberty Township. Orin D. Garrett was born in the Ohio county named on October 22, 1861, being the youngest child of Joseph and Elizabeth (Ciphers) Garrett, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Pennsylvania. Joseph Garrett was born in 1814 and died in 1887, and his wife was born in 824 and died in 1896. Both were of German ancestry. They married in Ohio and when they removed to Wells County their oldest child, Frank W., now Dr. Frank W. of Liberty Center, was six years old, and the second in the family was Amanda, three years old. She is now the wife of Dr. Isaac A. Smith of Huntington County, Indiana.

Joseph Garrett and wife located on a farm a mile south of Liberty Center known as the Garrett Homestead. Both parents were devoted members of the Baptist Church. In this part of the country O. D. Garrett received his education and grew to manhood assisting his father on the farm until he was twenty-one. His early education was acquired in the Liberty Center public schools. About the time he reached his majority his parents removed to Liberty Center, and the complete responsibility for the management of the farm devolved upon him. That was no small responsibility for a man of his years, and while sacrificing his long cherished plans to secure an advanced education, his faithfulness to duty kept him constant, and there was no question in his own mind or of members of the family that he would ever fail. His progressive ideas, fidelity, coupled with a cheerful disposition and kind consideration for "the other fellows" were rapidly bringing him the practical knowledge that is always a credit to the self-made business man.

In February, 1883, Mr. Garrett married Miss Hattie Noe, daughter of David and Harriet Noe of Chester Township, Wells County. Before her marriage she was one of the county's successful school teachers. In 1904 the home of the husband and two daughters was broken by the mother's death resulting from creeping paralysis.

While Mr. Garrett has always placed farming first and owns 345 acres in Wells and Huntington counties, yet for thirty years he has been an active livestock shipper and is still engaged in the business with the firm of Garrett & Gordon of Liberty Center. Among other business interests he has been a road contractor, building extensively in Wells and Huntington counties. He is one of the directors of the Studabaker Grain & Seed Company of Bluffton, is president of the Garrett-Turpin Lumber Company of Mississippi, a company that manufactures lumber from its own tract of eighteen hundred acres of timber in the Yazoo Valley.

The capable handling of public affairs and offices also comes natural to Mr. Garrett. From 1886 to 1891 he was township assessor and in 1910 served as county chairman for the republican party. In 1906 he was elected county auditor, and thus far in the political history of Wells County has the unique distinction of being the only republican elected to this office.

On January 1, 1908, he took his office and the following June he married Miss Marguerite Arthelda Bixler, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. William Bixler of Akron, Ohio. Mrs. Garrett, with her two sisters, Eva, wife of Warren Jenks of North Manchester, Indiana, and Betty, wife of O. G. Schrop of Akron, Ohio, received her public school and early musical education in Stark County, Ohio, where all the daughters were born. Gifted in music, Mrs. Garrett was accorded special training in voice building from such teachers as the Italian master Ridge, and concert coaching from Hill. During their school days the sisters appeared in nearly 300 musical programs. After high school Marguerite entered Mount Morris College in Illinois, taking a course in elocution and physical culture, also graduating from the Art and Bible Department. At this institution she was a member of the college faculty for three years, and later for two years at North Manchester college in Wabash County, Indiana. These positions were both resigned for that of evangelistic song and musical institute work among the churches. In the interest of this department of Christian activity, sixteen states were visited and nearly a thousand special programs of sacred song and story given. Mrs. Garrett also went abroad as song evangelist for the School of Travel and Research, touring Europe, Asia and Africa. Some of her best known gospel songs were written while visiting the Holy Land. "Galilee" was composed while sailing across the Sea of Galilee, and "Dreams" shortly after a visit to Mount Tabor, overlooking the Plain of Esdraelon, 'the great battlefield of nations." Since residing in Wells County Mrs. Garrett has continued her interest and devoted much of her time of Christian and musical activities.

At the expiration of the auditor's official term of four years, Mr. And Mrs. Garrett moved from Bluffton to their country home one mile north of Liberty Center, situated on the banks of Lake Garrett, one of the largest artificial lakes in Indiana, and it is known as one of the most complete, artistic, picturesque and thoroughly adequate and self-sufficing country homes in the Hoosier State. For both Mr. and Mrs. Garrett no vacation or relaxation from home and business care is quite correct that does not include a big game hunt. Trophies from various hunting fields are found in their private collection,
"For, they listen to the pleading,
And they answer to the call
Of the whisper from the woodland
When the leaves of Autumn fall."

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. 532-534.
Contributed by Nola Rains

One of the prominent farmers of Lancaster township, Wells county, Indiana, is Henry J. Garton, who was born in New Jersey, January 28, 1835, a son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Souders) Garton, also natives of New Jersey and of Irish and Dutch descent. Jonathan and Elizabeth (Souders) Garton were married in New Jersey, and there made their home until 1837, when they removed to Franklin county, Indiana, and rented land for about five years, after which they came to Wells county, Indiana. He had come here the previous year and entered one hundred and sixty acres of government land in Lancaster township, from which he developed an excellent farm on which he and his wife died some years ago, in the Universalist faith. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Catherine, who died at the age of twelve years; Eliza, deceased wife of Lemuel Paynter; Louis, a resident of Lancaster township; Lydia, deceased wife of James Dailey; Oliver P., deceased; Andrew J., deceased; Henry J., to whose interests this sketch is principally devoted, and a daughter that died in infancy. Jonathan Garton, the father of the above named children, was judge of the common pleas court for four or five years, and also served for several years as county commissioner, and likewise for a long time as justice of the peace.

Henry J. Garton was but seven years of age when his parents settled in Lancaster township, Wells county. Here he attended school until twenty-one years of age and later supplemented the education thus acquired by study at home during the winters for some considerable time. At the age of nineteen he had begun to work for himself, and at the same time made an agreement with his father, under which there was fifty dollars a year to be turned over to that gentleman as long as this agreement remained mutually satisfactory. Under such circumstances, Henry J. worked out at farm work by the day, or month, for three years or longer, and then rented the homestead, paying for its use and occupancy one-half the products annually. This arrangement held good until 1864, but in the meantime, in 1861, Henry J. had purchased eighty acres of the farm on which he now lives, but bought it on credit; yet he worked at clearing it up during the winter months, and in 1864 had earned sufficient means from his labors on his father's place to pay for his own property. In 1864, Henry J. Garton moved upon his own place, eight acres of which he had cleared off. He at once erected his present dwelling and put up a shanty for his horses and cattle and the same year he built his first frame barn; subsequently he put up another barn, and has since kept adding to his improvements until at the present time he has as neat and tidy a place as there is in Lancaster township. Of his own eighty-acre tract, secured by purchase, Mr. Garton has cleared seventy-five acres and has placed it under cultivation and thoroughly ditched it. He also owns eighty acres of the old home place, seventy acres of which have been cleared, and thus has a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, all in one compact body.

H. J. Garton was united in marriage January 5, 1860, with Miss Anna M. Trullender, who was born in Lancaster township, this county, October 2, 1842, and was a daughter of Hiram and Ruth Trullender, who came from New Jersey and settled here in an early day. Mrs. Anna M. Garton was a most amiable lady and a true helpmate to her husband, but was called hence July 31, 1878, having borne her husband six children: Marion, Ida, Adella, Robert, Lucinda and Frank. Of these children Marion married Nancy Wilkins, who has borne him five children; Chloe, Emma, Hiram, Hazel and Fay. The father of these children, Marion Garton, lives on and cultivates the southern eighty acres of the old homestead. Ida, the second child, Della, the third child, and Robert, the fourth child of Henry J. Garton and wife, as mentioned above, are all deceased; Lucinda, the fifth child, is the wife of Harvey Diehl, of Marion, Indiana; Frank, the sixth child, is married to Margaret Wasson, who has borne him three children: Haldie, Harry and Donald, and all make their home on the old home place.

H. J. Garton is a Universalist in religion and in politics he is a Democrat. Socially he stands very high in the community, as he descends from one of the oldest families in the county, and his own personal merits have won for him an esteem which is seldom accorded spontaneously to any citizen.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 420-421.

This young agriculturist and stock raiser and one of the most enterprising residents of Lancaster township, Wells county, Indiana, was born November 22, 1860, on the farm his grandfather, Jonathan Garton, had entered many years ago in this township and which is now owned by the widow Bowman.

Marion Garton is a son of Henry J. and Anna Maria Garton. He was reared on the farm alluded to above until sixteen years of age, when he began clerking in a general store in Pugney, Indiana, where he passed some time, gaining a fair insight into mercantile affairs. He there married, December 11, 1878, Miss Nancy M. Wilkin, a daughter of William and Mary (Trenary) Wilkin, and a native of Lancaster township, born September 19, 1860. After marriage, Marion Garton and his bride went to live with his father, for whom they kept house and assisted in farming the place for about five years, after which he engaged in the manufacture of tile for about ten years. Later he for three years employed himself in farming in conjunction with tilemaking, having in the meanwhile, in 1883, taken possession of the farm on which he now makes his home. The farm comprises eighty acres, sixty acres of which he has cleared and well ditched and on which he has erected a substantial barn and other necessary outbuildings for the accommodation of his stock and other purposes. Mr. Garton devotes the greater part of his attention to the breeding of thoroughbred shorthorn cattle, Shropshire sheep and Chester White hogs, and is ready at all times to furnish buyers with thoroughbred breeding stock. To keep his graded animals well up to the mark, Mr. Garton purchased in 1902, a cow and calf for two hundred and twenty-five dollars, and with these it is his hope to keep his graded animals in good supply and fully up to the mark.

To Mr. and Mrs. Marion Garton have been born five children, in the following order: Chloe M., May 2, 1880; Emma D., January 26, 1882; Hiram F., July 19, 1884; Hazel A., April 25, 1891, and Anna Fay, August 8, 1894.

Fraternally Mr. Garton is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Tocsin, Indiana, and politically he is a Democrat of the most stalwart kind. He has served as delegate from his district to various conventions of his party and in 1899 was his party's candidate for sheriff of Wells county, but with the rest of the ticket was defeated by a small majority. He has also served as a grand juryman.

Mr. Garton, it will have been perceived from the foregoing, has always been an active man of business, ready to turn his hand to anything that promised to bring him satisfactory returns, and as a rule he has been very successful in all his undertakings. If he has not altogether made all he possesses, he has at least made good use of everything that has come into his hands and increased it in value. He has led a strictly upright life and has won the esteem of all who know him. He is honored not only for his industry and practical business methods, but for his many personal merits and in this general esteem his wife and children have a full share. In the social circles of Lancaster township the Garton family stand deservedly high, the name is duly respected wherever known, and no men of Mr. Garton's years can claim a higher standing among their fellow citizens.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 418-419.

Samuel Gaskill, a resident of Liberty township, settled in Wells County in November 1853. He was born in New Jersey, December 18, 1813; served as Road Master and School Director. His parents, Benjamin and Mary (Brown) Gaskill, died in Ohio. He was married in Deerfield Township, Ohio, November 11, 1848, to Catherine Glass. Their children are: Mary A., born April 8, 1850; Christina, January 8, 1852; Barbara A., October 12, 1853; Mathias J., March 11, 1856; Jonathan and John, May 8, 1858; Matilda, October 6, 1861; Edwin and Peter, January 15, 1863; Arena and Alvena, April 9, 1865; Margaret, June 8, 1867; Sarah, June 1, 1870. Catherine Gaskill's parents, Mathias and Polly ( Kissner) Glass, died in Ohio. Two brothers of Samuel Gaskill served in the war of 1861. They were Jacob and Elijah. Jacob died of small-pox while in Tennessee. Business, farming. 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. 215.

The man who makes the greatest success in life is not always he who starts with the greatest advantages and best opportunities. This is well exemplified in the case of J. B. Gavin, the subject of this sketch. He was born in the county of Galway, Ireland, August 10, 1845, but only the first two years of his life were spent in his native land. In 1848 his parents, with all their children, emigrated to America and located in Ross county, Ohio. They remained there six years, when, in 1854, they moved to Harrison township, Wells county, Indiana, where Mr. Gavin has since resided. The parents of J. B. Gavin were George and Mary (Benton) Gavin, natives of Ireland, as were their ancestors for many generations. In his early manhood, in his native land, George Gavin was a member of the Royal Irish constabulary, or government police force, and as such did duty in many of the cities of Ireland. On locating in America he devoted himself to farming. He was a man of good education and during the winter months found plenty of employment teaching. After moving to Wells county, for three years he rented land, but finding that unprofitable he determined to purchase a place of his own. A tract of eighty acres was bought in Liberty township and as soon as a home was prepared thereon the family moved and occupied it. It is the same land on which his grandson and namesake now lives, and a debt was incurred for the greater part of the purchase price. This land was cleared, improved and added to until it became a superb farm of two hundred and ten acres, all in one body. To George and Mary Gavin seven children were born, viz: Robert, now a resident of Liberty township; Mary was the wife of Joseph Cobbum, but is now deceased; Sarah is the wife of Harrison Snow and they live in Kansas; J. B. is the subject of this sketch and will be more particularly referred to hereafter; Delilah died at the age of ten years; Henry J. died at the age of eight years; Henrietta died on the voyage from Ireland. The father of this family served a number of terms as township trustee. He was a Democrat, took an active part in politics and made his influence widely felt. His death occurred December 12, 1882.

J. B. Gavin attended the public schools of Liberty township until he was eighteen years of age. The yearly term was seldom longer than three months during the winter. George, the father, and Robert, the elder brother of J. B. Gavin, were both teachers and their attendance at school being considered much more important than that of the latter, he was often required to remain at home working when he should have been at school. His advantages for securing an education, therefore, did not equal those of the other children of the family. He, however, was an apt pupil and when he did attend, it was to some purpose. When he reached the age of twenty his father accorded him a share of the crop raised on the farm, and this arrangement was continued until his marriage and for five years thereafter.

On March 31, 1870, James B. Gavin was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Hedges, who was born July 6, 1848, in Harrison township, Wells county, Indiana. She was the daughter of Robert and Sophia (Kirkwood) Hedges. The father of Robert was Elijah Hedges, a native of Virginia, but the progenitor of the family came from England. Robert Hedges was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, where he married Sophia Kirkwood, a native of Pennsylvania, and there he devoted himself to farming for a number of years. He moved his family to Harrison township, Wells county, in 1846, and there he still lives at the age of eighty-five years. Sophia died in August, 1870. Robert and Sophia Hedges were the parents of thirteen children, all of whom were living at the time of their mother's death, though three have died since. These were the children: Mary J., wife of Alex. Latimore; Luicinda was the wife of Daniel Tuttle, but is now dead; Jonas, deceased; Rebecca is the wife of J. B. Gavin, the subject; James married Eunice Neff; Elizabeth was the wife of Philip Ulmer, but is now dead; William resides in Whitley county, Indiana; Julia, wife of George Ulmer, superintendent of the Orphans' Home; Joseph; George resides in Kansas; Lewis resides in Pulaski county, Indiana; Samuel resides in Liberty township; John resides in Harrison township. Robert Hedges was three times married, a daughter, Alice, being born to him by his last marriage.

For five years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Gavin resided on the Gavin homestead, in the family of his parents, he operating the farm for his father. In 1875 he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres where he now resides. The place was only partially cleared when, purchased, and in buying it he incurred an indebtedness of one thousand six hundred dollars. Through his industry and good management he paid off the debt within a very short time and purchased eighty acres more, adjoining his farm on the north and unimproved. In 1881 he erected a barn seventy by forty feet, large, commodious and substantial. The following year he added another eighty acres to his already extensive farm, joining it on the west and later he purchased the interests of the other heirs in the old home place. He is now the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of superb farming land, in one body, all well ditched and under cultivation. His three sons have each a portion of this land, which they cultivate, each having a comfortable residence on his portion, with good, substantial barn and outbuildings. In 1889 Mr. Gavin erected for himself and family a beautiful, spacious home of nine rooms, artistically finished and richly furnished. It is such a home as one rarely meets with in the rural districts.

From boyhood J. B. Gavin has devoted his life to farming and stockraising and has clearly demonstrated that a comfortable fortune can be amassed in that business in a few years. When he and his wife began housekeeping for themselves, in 1875, their home was a little two-room structure which it would be a misnomer to term a cottage. They were rich in nothing but health, strength, industry and perseverance. By coupling prudence and economy with other good gifts which nature had bestowed upon them, they have accomplished results that many would believe impossible. The latest assessment rolls of the county show the valuation of their personal property alone to be two thousand one hundred dollars. Mr. Gavin is one of Liberty township's heaviest taxpayers and also the owner of considerable property in Bluffton, the county seat.

To Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Gavin eight children have been horn, viz: George M., born May 23, 1871, married Lucy Huffman, and they are the parents of one child, James Frederick; Charles B., born July 29, 1873, married Lydia Bays, resides on part of his father's farm and has four children, Harry, Cecil, George and Garrett; William J., born October 22, 1874, married Anna Howard, resides on part of his father's farm, and has two children, Victoria and Mary; Mary A., born November 25, 1876, is the wife of Benjamin Buckner and they have one child, William J.; Francis F., born June 27, 1879, resides at home with his parents; Minnie and Ninnie, born July 20, 1882; Minnie died July 25, 1882 and Ninnie died September 12, 1887; Theopolis, born April 13, 1888. Mrs. Gavin is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, an active worker in all religious and charitable work and contributes liberally to every worthy cause. Mr. Gavin is a member of Lodge No. 747, I. O. O. F., at Liberty Center, and is much interested in lodge work. In politics he is a Democrat, and takes a deep interest in the success of his party, wielding an influence which aspirants for office are exceedingly anxious to secure. He is still practically in the prime of life. The weight of the fifty-seven years that he has seen sets lightly on his shoulders and his physical condition would indicate that existence had yet nearly half a century in store for him. Humanity is benefited by such lives as his.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 384-386.

JAMES A. GAVIN, one of the progressive and enterprising farmers of Chester Township, is a native of Ireland, born in County Clare September 12, 1824, a son of James and Mary (Austin) Gavin, his father being a member of the constabulary in Ireland. James A. received good educational advantages in the schools of his native country and became a teacher, which profession he followed almost five years in the national schools. After abandoning his profession he engaged in farming, but after spending a couple of years in agricultural pursuits in his native land, he decided to come to America where his brothers had previously come. In 1851 he immigrated from Cloughgordon, County Tipperary, for the United States, and the same year he located in Ross County, Ohio, where he remained until 1854.

He was married in the year 1854 to Miss Amanda Bryant, a native of Ross County, and a daughter of George and Rhoda (Bragg) Bryant. To this union five children were born, and of this number four are yet living-Mary Elizabeth, wife of John Neal, of Poneto, Indiana; Jane, wife of T. S. Elder; Sarah Ellen, wife of Jeremiah Galvin, and Margaret. A daughter, Emily, is deceased.

Mr. Gavin removed from Ross to Wells County, Indiana, and located on a farm in Harrison Township, where he made his home from 1854 until 1865. He then removed to the farm in Chester Township, where he has since resided. His land when he settled on it was in a state of nature, entirely unimproved, but by persevering toil and industry he has cleared and improved eighty acres of his farm, which consists of 160 acres. In politics Mr. Gavin votes independent, but affiliates with the Democratic party. He has served Chester Township as trustee, and at one time was county surveyor of Wells County, he having learned surveying in Ireland. He is a public-spirited citizen, and is always interested in any enterprise for the advancement of his township or county.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 883-884.

A single statement will sometimes give a far better insight into the character, disposition and mental trend of a person than would the contents of a volume. In these days of party strife, when the political organization is supreme, to say of a man or to have a man say of himself that he "never voted a straight ticket in his life" is to say that he is a man of independence, a man with the courage of his convictions, a man of marked and pronounced individuality. Robert F. Gavin, of Liberty township, makes that assertion regarding himself, and in doing so inadvertently pays himself a very high compliment. It is such votes as his that "turn the rascals out" of office and keep them out. Whatever the partisan politician may say, there is no question but that the independent voter is the true patriot.

Robert F. Gavin was born in the city of Galway, Ireland, December 11, 1838. His parents were George and Mary (BENTON) Gavin, he of Kings county and she of Queens county, in the province of Leinster, Ireland. His parents were James and Mary Gavin, while her father was Henry BENTON, who for many years was connected with the customs department of the government in Ireland. February 23, 1838, George and Mary were united in marriage in the cathedral in the city of Galway, and for ten years thereafter he was connected with the royal Irish constabulary. The family emigrated to America in 1848, landing in the city of New York. They did not tarry long in New York, but came to Ross county, Ohio. There he engaged in farming until 1854, when they moved to Wells county, established themselves upon a rented farm in Harrison township. There they remained until 1857, when they moved to Liberty township, having bought eighty acres of land in the woods. When he arrived in America he possessed some five hundred or six hundred dollars, but by industry and economy he succeeded in accumulating a handsome property, so that at his death he was recognized as one of the most substantial farmers of the county, being the owner of two hundred and ten acres. He died December 11, 1882, being survived by his wife about three years.

To George and Mary Gavin eight children were born, viz: Robert F.; Mary A., deceased; Sarah, wife of Harrison SNOW resides in Marshall county, Kansas; Henretta died on the voyage across the Atlantic and was buried at sea; James B. is a resident of Liberty township, Wells county; Henry J., and Eliza, both deceased.

Even as a child Robert F. Gavin was imbued with ambition and thirst for knowledge, and although but ten years old when he arrived in America, he was by no means a novice in the common school branches. In mathematics he especially excelled, for it is a current belief in Ireland that a man who pretends to learning without a thorough knowledge of figures, is either an impostor or an ignoramus. Problems in the "voster," the Irish arithmetic, that were quite easy of solution to him, would puzzle many an older head. Here, he attended the district schools and had the benefit of one term in the seminary at Murray, Indiana. In 1859 he entered the school room as a teacher and continued that occupation each year during the winter months until 1871.

March 4, 1866, Mr. Gavin was united in marriage to Miss Martha McFARREN, daughter of Jacob and Rachael (FOUST) McFarren. Jacob McFarren was a native of Pennsylvania, the son of John and Elizabeth McFarren, also natives of that state. When Jacob was a small boy his parents emigrated to Highland county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and married Rachael FOUST, March 4, 1841. That same year the young couple moved to Huntington county, Indiana, and there Martha was born, February 27, 1842. In 1857 Jacob moved to Liberty township, Wells county, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their days. She died October 10, 1873, his own demise occurring August 24, 1895. To them were born ten children, viz: Martha A., George F., John, deceased, Andrew, Sarah, Jonathan, William, Mary, Emma and Joseph M. Soon after marriage the subject and his wife settled on the place now owned by M. JOHNSON. He had one horse, and his wife a cow, but he cleared some thirty acres and in 1871 sold to Absalom FUNK and purchased one hundred and fifty acres of the farm upon which he now lives. The land was wet, wild and wooded when he got it, but it is now a most desirable productive farm of three hundred acres. He also owns one hundred and sixty acres in section 24. In addition to managing his big farm and other interests, he has been interested in a grain elevator at Poneto for several years, his partners being H. A. MAN, Frank KIZER and William WALKER.

To Mr. and Mrs. Gavin eight children have been born, viz: George; Rachel A. married C. B. McADAM and they are the parents of two children, Arthur E. and an infant daughter, deceased; Mary J. married Charles P. EATON and died December 14, 1891; John F.; Winona married W. H. WEINLAND, May 22, 1895, and they have one child, Iantha Ann; William; Austin, and James H., who died at the age of five years. John and Austin have attended the Marion Normal School, the former teaching for a time. Mr. Gavin is a member of the Methodist Protestant church, holding membership at Blanch chapel, of which he is trustee. his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church at Poneto. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., being treasurer of Poneto Lodge No. 752. In politics he is as free and independent as the breezes of the plains, being bound by no party ties or hedged in by any organization. His vote is his own, not being influenced by any man, set of men, circles, clique or political party.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 526.
Transcribed by Colleen Rutledge

Wells county is characterized by her full share of the honest pioneer element who have done so much for the development of the county and the establishment of the institutions of civilization in this fertile and well-favored section. A great work was accomplished by the early settlers and it is granted by all that they builded wiser than they knew. Admit that as a rule, but few ever realized in the dimmest way the transcendant possibilities that rested upon their shoulders; grant it that their lives, in most instances, were somewhat narrow and that they realized but little the great results that ultimately crowned their efforts; yet there exists the supreme fact that they followed their restless impulses, took their lives in their own hands, as it were, penetrated the wilderness and with a patient energy, resolution and self-sacrifice that stands alone and unparalleled, they worked out their allotted tasks, acomplished their destinies and today their descendants and others enjoy undisturbed the fruitage of their labors. A few of these honored old pioneers are yet living in the midst of the scenes of some of heir former labors and are today enjoying the richly-merited honors and material rewards which have come to them as the result of their former endeavors. Among this class may be properly included the gentleman whose name forms the caption to these paragraphs.

Amos Gehrett is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Berks county, that state, in 1822. His father, Henry Gehrett, was also a native of the same state and was immediately descended from Revolutionary ancestry, the subject's paternal grandfather and two of the latter's brothers having given up their lives on the altar of their country's independence. Henry Gehrett grew to manhood in his native county and was there married to Miss Susan Feon. For some time after his marriage he remained there and pursued the occupation of farming. Subsequently he removed with his family to Fairfield county, Ohio, and there also engaged in the same occupation. He spent the most of his life there, but his last days were spent in Wells county, Indiana, where he made his home with his children, his wife having died during their residence in Ohio. They were the parents of thirteen children, briefly mentioned as follows: Benjamin, deceased; Lydia, deceased; Elizabeth, deceased; William, deceased; Peter, deceased; Samuel died while in the military service of his country; Amos, the subject; Sarah, the widow of Jacob Warner; Susan, the widow of William Kirkwood; Deborah, deceased; Henry and Rosetta, twins, of whom Henry is a resident of Ohio, and Rosetta is the wife of Reuben Stout, of Wells county; a son who died in infancy.

Amos Gehrett did not receive very liberal educational advantages in his youth, but attended the public schools whenever it was possible for him to do so and at length became fairly proficient in the common branches. As soon as he was old enough he commenced working for his father on the Ohio farm and remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-two years old, receiving for his labor his board, clothing, etc. About 1844 he came to Wells county, Indiana, and settled on eighty acres of land comprising part of the farm which he still occupies, his father having entered the land some time previously. His material resources at this time were quite limited, possessing very little besides a cow and a horse. He made his own bedstead and such other furniture as was absolutely necessary with which to engage in housekeeping. However he was not at all discouraged, but, filled with ambition and energy, he at once went to work to create for himself a home. He at first erected a small log cabin, sixteen by eighteen feet in size, and the same season planted five acres of ground to corn. He worked for others whenever he could find work to do in order to obtain money and was also employed in the construction of the first railroad surveyed through the county. Meantime his spare time was steadily occupied in the task of clearing his land, which was eventually accomplished, and then, as rapidly as opportunity offered and he had the means, he purchased other tracts. His first additional purchase was one hundred and sixty acres of timber land. He and his son cleared a part of this tract and he then disposed of it and bought another tract of one hundred and sixty acres which he gave to his son, Henry. Subsequently he bought one hundred and sixty acres of the John Warner estate and also eighty acres of the Jacob Warner estate and forty acres belonging to his son, Henry. He is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres in one body and also another tract of forty acres, all being considered fine farming land. With the exception of eight hundred dollars which he received from his father's estate, all his property has been acquired as the result of his own industry and unremitting toil. He has carried on a general line of farming, and has also been engaged largely in the raising and selling of live stock, which has been, under his able management, a profitable source of income. He breeds a general line of cattle, but gives special attention to Poland China hogs. He has been an indefatigable worker during all the years of his residence in this county, and his labor has been commensurately rewarded. He has, by a course of right living and strict attention to the ethics of life, won the warm esteem and high regard of his numerous acquaintances and few men in his locality have a larger circle of friends than he.

In 1844 Mr. Gehrett was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Hufford, the daughter of Daniel and Sarah Hufford, natives of Berks county, Pennsylvania. She was born in 1823, also in Berks county, and was brought by her parents to Fairfield county, Ohio, where she formed an acquaintance with the subject, an acquaintance which resulted in their marriage. They became the parents of one child, Henry S., who died on the 3rd of March, 1894, aged forty-seven years, seven months and five days. He married Elizabeth Keller and to their union were born three children, as follows: Sarah Alice died June 9, 1892; Hugh L. died March 17, 1894; Amos died March 16, 1873. The subject has now no children or grandchildren living.

Religiously the subject and his wife have been for a number of years earnest and faithful members of the German Baptist church. Politically Mr. Gehrett is affiliated with the Democratic party and votes that ticket on national elections, though in local elections he votes for the best man for the office, irrespective of party lines. He has never been an aspirant for office, though soon after he came to Wells county he served for three years in the position of trustee and has also served two terms as supervisor. All movements having for their object the advancement of the public welfare have always received his cordial endorsement and his influence has been potent for good in the community. A volume purporting to contain a record of the lives of the representative citizens of the county would be incomplete were there failure to mention Mr. Gehrett.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 219-221.

Among the more prominent, refined and noble ladies of Bluffton and Wells county, Indiana, is Mrs. Elizabeth Gehrett, who was born about fifty-two years ago in Medina county, Ohio, a daughter of David and Christina (Shaffer) Keller, natives of Germany. David and Christina Keller were both children when brought to America by their respective parents, who settled in Medina county, Ohio, in close proximity to each other, and there the two children grew to maturity together and in due time were united in marriage. David Keller engaged largely in farming and stock raising in Medina county, Ohio, was a quiet and unassuming gentleman, was held in the highest esteem by his neighbors, and passed the remainder of his life on his farm.

To David and Christina Keller were born eight children, of whom six are still living, two of the daughters being married to well-to-do farmers in Nottingham township, Wells county. Elizabeth, one of these six survivors, was reared on the home farm and in her girlhood days was familiar with the duties pertaining to a rural home. During the proper seasons of the year she was sent to the district school and, being bright and apt, easily acquired the knowledge with which her mind is so well stored today; later on she attended the normal school and was trained to the technicalities of teaching.

On coming from her native state to retells county, Indiana, to visit an elder sister in Nottingham township, Elizabeth Keller was employed for several terms as a school teacher and while thus engaged she formed the acquaintance of Henry S. Gehrett, a native of the township and a son of Amos Gehrett. This acquaintanceship ripened into a warmer feeling and September 20, 1868, Henry S. Gehrett and Elizabeth Keller were joined in the holy bonds of matrimony.

Henry S. Gehrett was born in 1846 and was reared to farming and stock raising, but in early life he was given ample opportunity to attend the district schools during the winter seasons and thus secured a very fair education. On reaching his majority he engaged in agriculture on his own account and farmed on a very extensive scale and also raised great numbers of cattle and other live stock. He was a man of true worth and honesty and was ever recognized as one of the best citizens of Wells county.

In 1889 Henry S. Gehrett withdrew from farming and took up his residence in Bluffton and engaged in the livery business, in which he continued the remainder of his life, dying March 31, 1894. Although not a member of any church, Mr. Gehrett was a liberal contributor to all the congregations in his neighborhood and was himself a strictly moral man, being guided in all his acts by the sublime lesson inculcated by the Master in his Sermon on the Mount and familiarly designated as the Golden Rule. In politics Mr. Gehrett was a Democrat and was active in the interests of his party, but preferred to devote his attention to his private affairs and the interests of his family.

To Henry S. and Elizabeth (Shaffer) Gehrett were born three children, viz: Sarah A., deceased; Amos S. and Hugh L., also deceased. The departure of these children leaves Mrs. Gehrett somewhat forlorn in the decline of life, but she possesses excellent business qualifications and ably manages her farm of two hundred and forty acres, eighty acres of which reach the incorporated town of Bluffton and one hundred and sixty acres a little further away in Nottingham township. The residence of Mrs. Gehrett, however, is on East Market street, Bluffton, where she has a beautiful home. Mrs. Gehrett is a lady of culture and refinement and is held in high esteem by the entire population of Harrison township as well as Bluffton.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 143-144.

Among the citizens of Wells County whose past and present record entitles them to a share in the credit now being paid the American farmer as one of the principal upholders of liberty and national resources, is Mr. Samuel Gehrett, whose productive and well cultivated estate of eighty acres lies in section 16 of Nottingham Township. Mr. Gehrett and family get their daily mail delivery over Rural Route No. 2 out of Keystone.

Mr. Gehrett was born on section 12 in Nottingham Township November 18, 1858, and is member of an old and prominent family of the county. His parents were Samuel and Sarah (King) Gehrett. His father was born in Ohio, married there, and in the early days came to Wells County and bought land in section 11 of Nottingham Township, where he spent the rest of his days. He died in 1862, and his wife passed away in the same year. Of their ten children one died in infancy, and those living today are Amos, Noah, George, Henry, Sarah and Samuel.

Samuel Gehrett was eight years old when his father died and he grew up in the home of his uncle David King. He remained with Mr. King until he was eighteen and had such advantages as the local schools offered and for three months attended school at Ridgeville, Indiana. He acquired a practical knowledge of farming by experience and after his marriage he went to farming for himself.

His first wife was Etna Henly, who died leaving one daughter, Bertha, now the wife of Andrew Gottschalk. His second wife was Rachel Tappy, daughter of Simon Tappy. The children of this union are Hugh and Homer, both graduates of the Petroleum High School and now married and living in homes of their own in Nottingham Township. Mr. Gehrett married for his third wife Lucy Kemper, a native of Ohio. They have one daughter, Magdalene, born May 15, 1907, and now a student in the Petroleum public schools. The family are members of the United Brethren Church, and Mr. Gehrett is one of the church trustees and he and his wife take an active part in all the church affairs. The people of Nottingham Township have always esteemed his judgment and ability and for six years they had the benefit of his services as township trustee. Politically he 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. 652-653.

As an instance of the unvarying success which follows intelligent industry, that of Lewis Gesler, of Rock Creek township, Wells county, Indiana, is quite notable, as the reader will glean from the facts which are detailed in the following paragraphs. The parents of the subject were of German descent. Lewis Gesler was born October 30, 1851, but the father was summoned to another world when the son was about six years old. The mother, being in straitened circumstances, placed the lad out at work when he was about twelve years of age, but continued to provide him with clothing and other necessaries of minor character, retaining for her own use his small earnings. At the age of sixteen years Lewis Gesler came to Wells county, Indiana, and found employment with Henry Edris, for whom he worked two years at fourteen dollars per month, and in this time saved considerable money. He continued to work out by the month for other parties until he had acquired five hundred dollars, which he invested in eighty acres of his present farm in Rock Creek township, although he was obliged to go in debt to some extent. He worked for Wierly Lamb three years, then bought land until he owned at the time two hundred acres, all of which he paid for out of his own earnings with the exception of five hundred dollars received from home.

In March, 1876, Lewis Gesler married Miss Calista Johnson, daughter of Jonas Johnson, and to this happy union four children have added to the felicity of the home of the parents, and are named, in order of birth, as follows: Homer C., who had his nativity in 1879, is still unmarried and makes his residence with is parents, as do the younger three, Eva I., Wilna and Virgil. Mr. Gesler has been one of the most enterprising men of his township, and from almost impecuniousness has raised himself to affluence, being now worth at least twelve thousand dollars in land alone. He and wife have led a most happy life since marriage and are honored and beloved wherever known.

Jonas Johnson, the father of Mrs. Lewis Gesler, deserves especial mention in this connection as being one of the oldest residents of Rock Creek township. He was born in Wayne county, Indiana, October 14, 1825, and is a son of Solomon and Sarah (Sanders) Johnson, who came from North Carolina, where the family had lived for generations, and, as was customary at the time, were slaveholders. The Johnson family reached Indiana prior to 1821, about three or four years after the state had been admitted to the union, and lived in Wayne county about five years. They then removed to Delaware county, where they resided until the fall of 1835, when they came to Indiana and located where Montpelier now stands in Blackford county. They thence came to Wells county, at a time when there were no roads, they being obliged to cut their way through the woods in order to reach their destination. The previous spring, however, the father of the family had visited Wells county and had entered one hundred and twenty acres of wild land across the road from the place on which his son Jonas now lives; at that time Jacob Miller and David Snyder were the only residents of the neighborhood, as well as of the township. On coming here, Mr. Johnson first put up a temporary shanty and shortly after built a log cabin and cultivated a patch of ground. He throve and finally bought one hundred and sixty acres of wild land in Salamonie township, Huntington county, which he and his sons cleared up and converted into a fine farm, but later sold. Mr. Johnson became one of Wells county's most prominent and influential citizens. A Democrat in politics, he served on the first board of county commissioners, which was composed of David Bennett, James Scott and himself, after whom three streets in Bluffton have been named, Johnson street running north and south past the jail and engine house.

Mr. Johnson was the father of twelve children, of whom five are still living, namely: Isabella, wife of John Cook, of Barber's Mills; Ermina, wife of George Strother, of Huntington; Sarah, wife of John Haggert, of southern Missouri; Henry M., of Oklahoma, and Jonas. Jonas Johnson was a lad of but nine years when brought by his parents to Wells county, Indiana, of which county he has ever since been a resident. When twenty-one years of age he rented the home farm for a few years, and in 1849 married Miss Urania Barber, daughter of Hallette Barber, after whom Barber's Mills were named, as he had the first grist and saw-mill at this place, having come from Darke county, Ohio. Mr. Johnson was poor and for three years rented a farm and then his father-in-law's mill for seven years, after which he bought the eighty-acre farm on which he now resides. Here he erected a two-room house in the woods, which frame has been replaced by a modern and commodious dwelling. To Mr. And Mrs. Johnson were born five children, namely: Levetta, now the wife of James Knudson; Deliscus, unmarried and living in Oregon; Glessner, who lives on the old farm; Calista, wife of Lewis Gesler, and Norah, wife of Adam Korn. Mr. Johnson was among the first members of the Seventh Day Adventist congregation of his township, was a Granger, and in politics was a Democrat until 1875, when he became independent, and for the past few years has abstained altogether from voting. It is now sixty-seven years since Mr. Johnson came to Wells county, and it may well be conceded that no resident is more sincerely honored.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 441-442.

JACOB GETTY, proprietor of the Ossian House at Ossian, was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1834, son of William H. and Melinda (Swinehart) Getty. When he was four years of age his mother died, and he was reared by J. G. Smith, residing in Wayne County, Ohio, near the Western Reserve. In 1855 he came west and located in this county, where he began farming, continuing in that avocation until his marriage and the breaking out of the civil war. The wedding of Jacob Getty and Miss Mary, daughter of Peter and Jane (Fergus) Shaffer, was celebrated April 2, 1860. Their first daughter, Lida, was but one year old when the cry "To arms!" was sounded, and Mr. Getty, full of patriotism, left his wife and child and hastened to the defense of his country's flag. His enlistment was made August 20, 1862, in Company G, One Hundred and First Regiment Indiana Infantry, and his regiment was assigned to duty in the Fourteenth Corps, Third Division of the Army of the Cumberland. Mr. Getty was in active service during the entire campaign, and participated in the battles of Milton, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta, Resaca, with Sherman to the sea, and faced the shot and shell at Rocky Face and Bentonville, North Carolina. He returned to his home at the close of the war unscathed, but with a consciousness of having fought nobly and well. Rachel A. was born a few months after her father's enlistment, and the home of the parents has been brightened by their presence until the present time. Both daughters are graduates of the Fort Wayne Conservatory of Music, and are now engaged in teaching that art.

Soon after his return from the war Mr. Getty purchased his present hotel, and for more than a score of years he has been the popular landlord and liveryman of Ossian. Since the war he has grown corpulent, and now enjoys the distinction of being the heaviest man in Wells County, bringing down the scales at 300 pounds. Politically he is a strong Republican, and is a member of William Swaim Post, No. 169, G. A. R., of which he is one of the charter members. In 1869 he was made a Master Mason at Ossian, and became a member of Ossian Lodge, No. 297, A. F. & A. M. Peter Shaffer, father of Mrs. Getty, was one of the early settlers of this county, and entered 200 acres of land on section 10, intending to make this new country his home. He made some improvements and returned to Ohio for his family, but was taken sick and died. His wife and family, consisting of Mary, William F. and Rachel A., accompanied by General James Fergus, came to the new home and took possession of the land entered by Mr. Shaffer, thus carrying out his intention. General James Fergus was a noted man in the State of Ohio, having been a member of the General Assembly two terms previous to coming to this State, and his popularity was as widespread as was his acquaintance.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 951.

Amos A. Gilbert, son of Elijah and Mary A. (Ridgeway) Gilbert, deceased, was born in Switzerland County, Indiana, May 14, 1839. He was married in Howard County, Indiana, June 25, 1862, to Sarah J. Yunt. He has served six years as Supervisor. His children begin with Joseph E. born April 2, 1863; John M., November 22, 1864; Amos and Amon, March 13, 1867; William, August 19, 1869. Sarah J. Gilbert was born in Kentucky, December 31, 1835; is a daughter of Nicholas and Nancy (White) Yunt. The former died in Howard county; the latter is a resident of Wells county. Mrs Gilbert had two children by a former marriage, her son, James M. Morgan, living and ---- Mary deceased. Mr Gilbert served in the war of 1861; was a member of Company I, 153d Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted on February 17, was discharged September 4, 1865. His captain was William H. Carrs. He is a resident of Liberty township; removed to Wells County in 1876. Business, farming. Address, Mount Zion, Wells County, Indiana.

Historical Hand-Atlas, With Complete Reference Map of the World, History of Wells Co., IN, Chicago & Toledo: H. H. Hardesty & Co., 1881, p. 214.

Emanuel Gilbert, son of Martin and Lydia (Hantz) Gilbert, resides in Rock Creek township. He was married in Wells county, in the year 1868 to Lydia Schrock. Their only child is Charley G., born in 1872. 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. 215.

WILLIAM GILBERT, one of the pioneers of Wells County, Indiana, and an active and enterprising farmer of Chester Township, is a native of Michigan, born near Ypsilanti May 24, 1835. His parents, William and Elizabeth (Moore) Gilbert, were natives of East Kent, England, and in 1830 immigrated to America, settling in Canada within thirty miles of Montreal. From Canada they removed to Washtenaw County, Michigan, remaining there until September, 1837, when they came to Wells County, Indiana, making the journey by team, following the Indian trail from Fort Wayne to Scuffle Creek. Here the family settled in Chester Township, section 30, on a tract of 264 acres of timber land, which the father had purchased the winter before. The first three weeks after their arrival in the county they camped on Henry McCulluch's place, he being their nearest neighbor. While engaged in running off the line of the land the father cut his foot severely, which laid him up and he was obliged to hire a space cleared on his land for the erection of his cabin, and also to have his cabin built for him. Although game was very plentiful in the early days of the county, Mr. Gilbert was no hunter, but devoted all his time to clearing and improving his land. The first winter spent in the county he bought thirteen deer, and hauled all his provision from the Griffin Mill on Walnut Creek, about twenty or twenty-five miles distant, being obliged to make a road to get there. The wheat was ground in those days, but not bolted, and all the flour used then was unbolted. The father died June 16, 1850, the mother surviving until July 4, 1860. They were the parents of seven children, four of whom are living--- Eleanor, wife of Isaac Bonham, of Lawrence County, Indiana; John, William, and Eliza, now Mrs. Miller. Of those deceased two died after reaching maturity---Ann, wife of William Sargison, and Elizabeth, wife of George Graves, and Thomas in his infancy.

William Gilbert, the subject of this sketch, was in his third year when brought by his parents to Wells County, and was reared in Chester Township. He received his early education in the subscription schools, and for a couple of years had the advantage of the public schools. February 9, 1859, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Hammond, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Joseph and Judith (Henson) Hammond. Her parents were born, reared and married on the Guernsey Island, off the north coast of France. After coming to America they lived at Nelsonville, Ohio, and in 1856 her mother removed with her family to Jackson Township, Wells County, Indiana, her father having died when she was but two years old. Her mother subsequently settled in Chester Township, where she died November 14, 1881.

Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert have had born to them ten chi1dren-Douglass Gilbert, born February 19, 1860; Mary Emeline, born December 25, 1862 James B. McCillan, November 10, 1863 married Catherine Ann Moffitt; Lois A., June 8, 1865; Cora A., February 5, 1867; Francis M., January 20, 1868 Matilda E., April 1, 1871, Herbert, August 30, 1872; Herschel E., April 2, 1874 Martha Alice, August 23, 1876. Mary E. died April 30, 1864, and Douglass October 21, 1865. Mr. Gilbert has resided on the land entered from the Government since coming to Wells County, and still lives in the old house erected by his father in 1842. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. He has served his township as supervisor for several terms. He is a member of Five Points Grange, No. 522, Patrons of Husbandry.

John Gilbert, the brother of our subject, who shares with him the old homestead, was born in East Kent, England, June 19, 1827, and followed the fortunes of his parents from the time of their removal from England until the time of their death, and has ever since then lived on the old home farm. His school days were spent at Ypsilanti, Michigan, although he attended school after coming to Wells County. Politically he is a Democrat, and in the early days of the county held the office of constable. He is a member of Five Points Grange, of which he is Doorkeeper. His parents were Episcopalians in their religious faith, but there being no church of that denomination in this community, they joined the Methodist church.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 790-793.

Henry Gilliom has long been a factor in business affairs at Bluffton and is a member of the firm Gilliom Brothers, well drillers, who have handled contracts in that line all over Northeastern Indiana.

Mr. Gilliom was born on a farm in Adams County, Indiana, December 25, 1879, a son of Isaac and Melvina (Hanna) Gilliom. Both parents are now deceased. The father was a native of the United States and the mother of Switzerland. They spent their active years on a farm in Adams County.

Henry Gilliom grew up on the farm and remained at home in Adams County until he was twenty years of age. His education was acquired by attendance at the district schools. He served an apprenticeship at the harness-making trade at Bluffton, and followed that work at different places for ten years. He then joined a brother in his present business, and the firm is a very prosperous one.

Mr. Gilliom married Nellie Bennett, and they have one child, Lloyd. Mr. Gilliom is affiliated with Bluffton Lodge No. 114, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is past chief patriarch of the Odd Fellows Encampment. In politics he is somewhat independent, but at the present time is classified as a democrat.

History of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana: Volume 2 John W Tyndall for Adams Co and O. E. Lesh for Wells County. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1918.
Courtesy of Indiana Genealogy Trails

DANIEL GLASS, farmer and stock-raiser, Harrison Township, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, September 12, 1830, son of Matthew and Polly (Kissner) Glass, who were natives of Ohio, and of German-English descent. He remained on the farm in his native county until he was eighteen years of age, at which time he emigrated to this county with his father's family, who settled in Liberty Township, where his father had purchased 320 acres of unimproved land. They immediately began to clear and improve the land and make a home. The father lived on this farm for many years, then removed to Bluffton, where he passed the remainder of his days, his death occurring February 20, 1876. The mother had previously died in Ohio, and the father married Rachel Humphrey for a second wife.

Our subject resided with his father until his marriage, which occurred November 8, 1852, with Miss Margaret Porter, daughter of Robin Porter, who was born in Mahoning County, Ohio. After marriage they settled in Liberty Township, where they lived three years, then removed to Harrison Township, and came to his present farm in 1870, where he owned fifty acres of improved land. Mr. and Mrs. Glass have one child - Arena, wife of Jacob Thompson, residing in Liberty Township. Mr. and Mrs. Glass are members of the Christian church, and politically Mr. Glass is a Democrat.

Robin Porter, the father of Mrs. Glass, is one of the few early settlers of Wells County that are now living. He was born in Pennsylvania about the year 1796, son of Aaron Porter, who removed from Maryland to Pennsylvania, thence to Ohio when a boy. He married Elizabeth Parshall when a boy, and in 1849 removed to Wells County, settling in Liberty Township. His wife died in Ohio, leaving twelve children. He was married a second time to Jane Burroughs, and they had two children. His second wife died and he afterward made his home with Mr. Glass. He is now ninety-one years of age. He is a member of the Disciple church, and retains his mental vigor to a remarkable degree.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 894.
Transcribed by Tammy Rable

JOHN T. GLASS, farmer, Jefferson Township, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, February 16, 1815, son of Ann and John Glass. The latter was born in Maryland soon after the Revolutionary war. His parents were natives of Ireland, and John was born soon after their arrival in America. The entire history of the family is not known, but it is known that there was another brother, George, who became a physician and located somewhere in the South. There were three daughters-Hannah married Thomas Strain, and resided near Parkersburg, West Virginia; Nancy married Thomas Hamilton, an Irishman, who for many years was a popular landlord at Steubenville, Ohio, where he died, leaving no heirs. The other sister married a gentleman named Parker, who was the original proprietor of Parkersburg, Virginia, and in whose honor the place was named. They had six or more children, but all trace of them has been lost. John Glass, Sr., came to Pennsylvania about 1790, having been a boatman on the Ohio River, running between Pittsburg and Memphis. About 1795 he was married to Ann Johnston, in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Their children were-Esther, James, Mary, Ann, Rebecca, Sarah and Nancy. About 1809 the Glass family removed to Wayne County, Ohio, and preempted a quarter section of land. They were among the earliest settlers of that county. Ten years later an exchange of farms was made, and the family removed to Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Four children were born in Wayne County-John T., William J., Andrew and Lucinda. The parents remained upon their farm in Pennsylvania until their death. The mother died the same summer of their removal, and the father lived to be about eighty years of age.

Four of the children came to this county, and were among the earliest settlers of Jefferson Township. Esther married Joseph Gorrell, Esq.; Lucinda married James Barkley in Pennsylvania, who with his two brothers, James and John, became residents of this county. Barkley and his family now live in Buchanan County, this State. The others remained in this county. There are now only six members of the original Glass family living. William married Miss Fidelia Stephens, of Indianola, Texas, and has nine children-John, William, Hodge, Glendora, Mary, Kate, Clover, Barney J. and Maggie. This family resides in De Witt County, Texas, where they own a large amount of real estate. Ann married Andrew McGaffick, of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and has three daughters-Maggie, Rebecca and Mary J. Maggie married Samuel Smith; Rebecca is the wife of James Laughlin, and Mary J. became the wife of John McMillan, a grandson of Major John McMillan, one of the first settlers of the State of Pennsylvania. Sarah married John Johnston, and had four daughters-Mary A., who married William Slantz; Louisa, wife of Thornton B. Hunter, of this township; Nancy J., unmarried, and Melissa, who married Silas Gailey. Nancy married Joseph Lawrence, and she has two daughters-Louisa married Scott Groscrose, and Martha married Wilson McMillan. The name is fast dying out in the country of their nativity, but the ancestral farm in Pennsylvania is yet in possession of the heirs.

When our subject came to Wells County he was a bachelor, twenty-nine years of age. He had no intention of remaining, and only came to assist his brother in settling in the new country. In 1840, in company with his brother James, a selection of land was made, and each purchased a half section. There were no settlers living in this neighborhood at that time, and the wild woods were full of game. The pea-vines were very high, and not a domestic animal could be found in the neighborhood. The Hatfield family lived near the south line of what is now Jefferson Township, and there the strangers were made welcome, housed and fed. The uninviting prospect was not such as inspired the brothers to remain, and they returned to Pennsylvania.

Not until 1845 did John T. return to this county. Jonathan Eddy, Amos Schoonover and Mrs. Mary Wallace, with their families, had moved in, which comprised the families of the neighborhood. Mr. Glass had erected a cabin on his land, which still remains, also the old milk-house, both of which were built almost a half century ago. The cabin was 22 x 18 feet, and two stories in height, and was complete for occupancy except the floor, at a cost of $16. It was built by Abram and John Fulton, the former of whom is still living. At that time this was the best cabin in the neighborhood, having three windows and a good clapboard roof. Mr. Glass was the first man to. purchase stock in the township, beginning the business soon after he settled here. In 1845 he paid from one-half to three-fourths cents gross for stock, and guessed them off at that figure. He and his brother put in the first stock scales in the northern part of the county in 1856. He began the stock trade without capital, and would trade anything he possessed for stock, except his land. He had a good retail trade with Fort Wayne butchers, and furnished the money that paid for the first car of stock ever shipped over the Pittsburg & Fort Wayne Railroad from Fort Wayne. The prices paid for hogs and sheep from 1845 to 1855 were as follows: The first year, for dressed pork, one and a half cents, purchased from John Studabaker, the packer at Bluffton. Very few sheep were in the country, but ranged at one dollar per head. Good steers brought $10. A good farm horse brought from $30 to $40. Wheat was worth from forty to fifty cents, and corn sixteen or seventeen cents. Money was so scarce that even at these figures stock and produce were slow sale, consumers being as scarce as the money. After spending one summer in the woods and trading successfully, he began to think that he would be more prosperous if he had a housekeeper.

December 24, 1846, he was married to Miss Margaret Hatfield, Reverend Wright, a United Presbyterian minister, performing the marriage ceremony. This was the second marriage in the township, and one of the early ones in the history of the county. The young couple commenced housekeeping in the $16 cabin, and the partnership then begun has continued to the present time in the greatest harmony. Mr. Glass was not a man of strong muscle, and the giant oaks were felled by other hands. He looked after his stock trade while the wife made his home cheerful, and several children came to bless the fireside-John A., who married Isa D. Todd; James became the husband of Ida Ryan; Andrew J. married Florence Roberts; Maggie J. is now Mrs. Nathaniel Weaver; George is the only one unmarried. Martha A., Milton and William Wilson died in infancy; the others all reside in Jefferson Township. As Mr. Glass expresses it, "when the bell rings for dinner the children can all hear it." The passing years brought greater prosperity, and the broad acres grew into beautiful fields. The old cabin was exchanged for a large two-story frame mansion, and the old barns were supplemented by large commodious buildings which shelter herds of fine cattle and other stock. Mr. Glass has been one of the most extensive purchasers of stock in this county, and has been engaged in the business almost half a century. He has purchased stock of almost every farmer throughout Wells, Adams, Jay, Allen and Blackford counties. Although past three score years and ten, his activity is remarkable, and he rides on horseback as gaily as a youth of eighteen years.

His good wife is the same genial housekeeper that in early days greeted the new-comer at her cabin door and made them welcome in this wooden country. Their years of toil set lightly on their shoulders, and the latch-string has ever hung outside the hospitable mansion as well as in the humble cabin. During the first year of their married life Mrs. Glass spun the flax and wove over 100 yards of linen, and this with the butter and other products kept the table well supplied. She often rode on horseback to Zanesville to do her marketing, across the country and through the swamps, yet she never faltered. Many families were dependent upon the sale of roots and raccoon skins for money to supply their needs. The city of Bluffton then contained one log store kept by Studabaker, and a tavern kept by Almond [sic] Case. The entire country has been developed since that time, and her children's children will be proud of the ancestry who have done so much to improve it. Their table has fed thousands of men who have labored, and Mrs. Glass has superintended the entire work. She is now sixty-three years old, and free from the infirmities of age.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 818-823.

JOHN J. GOOD, son of Samuel and Lucy Ann Good, was born on his father's homestead in Jackson Township, Wells County, Indiana, February 4, 1842. He grew to manhood on the home farm, and received his education in the common schools of his neighborhood, and by study at home. He commenced teaching school at the age of nineteen years, following that avocation eight school terms. He remained at home until twenty-four years of age, when he entered the employ of F. A. Pulse, as clerk in his general store at Warren, where he remained twelve years, and during this time lost only twenty-seven days. He is still a resident of Warren, Huntington County, and is at present devoting his time to agricultural pursuits, being now the owner of a good farm of 171 acres of well-cultivated land. Mr. Good was married in October, 1874, to Miss Mira A. Coles, who was born in Sidney, Ohio, in November, 1848. They are the parents of six children—Robert E., Ralph H., Effie, Lola, Otto B. and Nellie. Mr. Good is a member of King Lodge, No. 246, A. F. & A. M., at Warren.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 1012, 1015.

JAMES D. GOODIN, general farmer, Chester Township, is a native of Ohio, born in that part of Delaware County which is now part of Morrow County, March 17, 1836. His parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Donaldson) Goodin, were natives of Pennsylvania, the father born in Somerset County, of Welsh descent, and the mother born in Washington County, of Irish ancestry. The families of both parents removed from their homes in Pennsylvania to Perry County, Ohio, in an early day, and there Samuel Goodin and Elizabeth Donaldson were married, and in the fall of 1835 they removed to what is now Morrow County, Ohio, where the father died April 24, 1854. In the spring of 1855 Mrs. Goodin removed with her family to Allen County, Indiana, and in February, 1858, came to Wells County, locating in Chester Township, where the mother resided until her death in the fall of 1880.

James D. Goodin, the subject of this sketch, was reared and educated in the common schools of Morrow County, Ohio. He was twenty-one years of age when he came with his father's family to Wells County, and here he has since made his home with the exception of one year. Mr. Goodin has been twice married, taking for his first wife Miss Nancy Twibell, in October, 1860. She was born in Blackford County, Indiana, a daughter of David and Margaret Twibell. She died in February, 1872. Five children were born to this union-Madison, Elizabeth (wife of T. J. McGrath), Nettie, Ella and one who died in infancy. Mr. Goodin was married a second time, November 13, 1873, to Miss Ollie Ashbaugh, a native of Logan County, Ohio, and daughter of Andrew and Martha Ashbaugh, the father dying in Logan County, and the mother in Wells County, Indiana. One son, named James Lawrence, has been born to this union.

Since 1872 Mr. Goodin has been engaged quite extensively in dealing in and raising stock in connection with his general farming. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. In the spring of 1865 he was elected justice of the peace of Chester Township, which office he filled for four years, and in 1869 he was elected trustee of Chester Township, serving in that capacity until the fall of 1872. In the fall of 1873 he was elected and served as county commissioner for three years, and in all of these offices he served with credit to himself and to the best interests of his township or county. He is a member of Montpelier Lodge, No. 288, A. F. & A. M., and also belongs to Five Points Grange, No. 522, Patrons of Husbandry, and is at present serving as master of the grange.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 964.

Ira B. Goodspeed, of Harrison Township, was born in Athens County, Ohio, April 13, 1827. His father, Nathan Goodspeed, was born June 9, 1795, in Massachusetts. His mother, Thankful (Holwey) Goodspeed, was also a native of Massachusetts. The parents removed to Ohio in an early day. Our subject was reared on a farm, and remained with his parents until his marriage, which occurred March 25, 1860, with Miss Harriet N. Armitage, daughter of George and Maria (Ward) Armitage, the father a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother of Washington County, Ohio. Mrs Goodspeed was born in Athens County, Ohio. After his marriage Mr. Goodspeed followed farming in his native country until the fall of 1865, when he removed to this county, where his father's family had settled one year previous. January 7, 1866, the father died, and the mother, August 19, 1874. After the death of the father Mr. Goodspeed purchased the homestead of the heirs, and now has 120 acres on section 18, Harrison Township. Mr. and Mrs. Goodspeed have had four children, three of whom are living - George W., Francis M. married Hannah Bell Markley, and Daniel H. Thankful O. died February 14, 1873, aged twenty-three years. In politics Mr. Goodspeed is a Republican.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 781.

The office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the record the verdict establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his neighbors and fellow citizens. In touching upon the life history of the subject of this sketch the writer aims to avoid fulsome encomium and extravagant praise; yet he desires to hold up for consideration those facts which have shown the distinction of a true, useful and honorable life—a life characterized by perseverance, energy, broad charity and well defined purpose. To do this will be but to reiterate the dictum pronounced upon the man by the people who have known him long and well.

The Goodyear family is an old one and is traced back through several centuries to its original location in Cumberland, England, where, close to the borders of Scotland, the family flourished from the tenth to the thirteenth centuries. Eventually the members of the family became scattered, the name being found in many parts of England and, according to old records still extant, a number went to London. At least three branches of the family have migrated to America at different times, it being a matter of record that there arrived in America in 1637 Stephen Goodyear, who afterward became governor of New Haven colony. Another branch of the family went from England to Holland and Germany, their emigration being coincident with that of the Puritans. This German branch of the family later came to America and from it is descended the family to which belongs the subject of this sketch. The first emigrant ancestors settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and in that state, on the 4th of April, 1789, was born Samuel Goodyear, who lived a long and useful life, dying at the advanced age of ninety years. His son, William James Goodyear, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, January 13, 1822, and accompanied his parents upon their removal to Ohio in 1832. Ten years later, 1842, he came alone to Indiana, locating in Bluffton, Wells county, a section of country which did not at that time give much promise of the marked prosperity which has since characterized both city and county. He worked at the carpenter's and cooper's trades several years. He was here united in marriage, on the 17th of February, 1850, with Miss Diana J. Sutton, a granddaughter of the Rev. Elijah Sutton, one of the well known early pioneers of Wells county. This worthy couple lived to celebrate the golden anniversary of the ceremony which united them, the event being the occasion of a large gathering of their relatives and friends who joined in their efforts to make memorable the day. Mr. Goodyear died July 10, 1901, on the old homestead near Murray where he had made his home for half a century. To William and Diana Goodyear were born two children, Rhoda Fidelia, born Noyember 16, 1851, and Jacob Webster, the subject.

Jacob W. Goodyear was born July 13, 1862, was reared upon the old home farm near Murray and was early given the advantage of attendance at the common schools, after which, during the years 1877-9, he attended the normal school at Bluffton. In 1880 Mr. Goodyear entered Fort Wayne College, graduating in the commercial and business department the following year, and also graduating in the classical department in the same institution in 1883. In addition to pursuing his regular studies, he was engaged for two years in teaching bookkeeping and mathematics. After leaving school he was for a year occupied in canvassing for the sale of books and then passed four years upon the farm. In 1888, upon the organization of the Wells County Rank, Mr. Goodyear was elected to the position of cashier, in which capacity he has since served continuously. In 1903 he was elected to the position of vice-president of the institution and also made a member of the board of directors. He was still retained in the position of cashier and in these joint positions he has since had the active management of the bank's affairs. The bank, though but fifteen years old, has had a most creditable history and from a small institution has developed into one of the largest and most influential state banks in Indiana. It has a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, a surplus of ten thousand dollars and assets amounting to over seven hundred thousand dollars. There are seventy-five stockholders, whose interests are looked after by nine directors. Mr. Goodyear has not confined his sole attention to his banking interests, as is shown by the fact that he is an officer in and a director of four other institutions that have for their object the welfare and improvement of the city and county. For a number of years he has been a director, and in January, 1903, was elected the president, of the Commercial Club, an organization that has accomplished much in building up the commercial interests of Bluffton, and he is also president of the library board, in the latter capacity being in hearty accord with the proposition to erect a new library in this city in the near future, one that will be in thorough harmony with the other recent improvements in the city. Mr. Goodyear helped to organize and for the long period of twelve years has been treasurer of the People's Mutual Loan and Savings Association and is also an incorporator and secretary of the new Elm Grove Cemetery Association, which has been started on most modern cemetery plans. In many ways not here mentioned Mr. Goodyear has exerted a silent, but none the less potent, influence upon the city's growth and development and among those best acquainted with the full scope of his efforts and accomplishments he occupies a high position in their confidence and esteem. Much of the present prosperity of this section of the country is directly traceable to the impulse of the influence and efforts exerted by the subject. Mr. Goodyear is free in his expression of gratitude to his parents and his sister for their unselfish devotion to him, that he might obtain a good education and have a start in life. Through them the foundations were laid thoroughly and deeply and upon them he has builded wisely and well, so that today he occupies a position not only creditable to himself, but reflecting honor to those who so carefully looked after him in the primal days of his life career.

On the 26th of November, 1891, Mr. Goodyear was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Harriet Bennett, daughter of Robert C. and Harriet (Deam) Bennett. This union has been a most happy and congenial one and has been blessed by the birth of one child, Edith May, born May 23, 1896. Thus briefly have been set forth the salient facts in the life career of one of Wells county's intelligent men of affairs. His career and position illustrate most happily the fact that, if a young man possesses the proper attributes of mind and heart, he can attain to a position of unmistakable precedence and gain for himself an honored position among the men who are the foremost factors in shaping the destiny of cities, communities and states. His life proves that the only true success in this world depends upon personal effort and consecutive industry. It also demonstrates that the road to position is open to all who possess the courage to tread its pathway and serves as an inspiration to the young of the present and future generations, teaching by incontrovertible facts that true success is ambition's legitimate answer.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 376-378.

JOSEPH GORRELL is the oldest man now living in Wells County, and one of the oldest settlers. He was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, August 3, 1802, son of James and Sarah (Mulholland) Gorrell. The paternal ancestors were natives of Ireland, and the maternal, of Wales. The parents were married in Washington County, Pennsylvania, about 1790, and reared a family of sixteen children. Two others died in infancy. Upon their farm in Pennsylvania, the parents lived and died. Our subject was educated in the subscription schools of his native county, and his father, who was a fairly educated man, taught free night schools in the neighborhood, which Joseph attended. Through the instruction given by his father, and the resident minister, he secured a good education, which, added to his good judgment, has made him a man of note in his township and county for almost half a century. He began teaching when seventeen years of age, his terms being taught in the winter, while he worked at the carpenter's trade during the summer. He also taught vocal music until after his marriage with Miss Esther Glass, that ceremony being performed September 13, 1825. Her parents, John and Ann (Johnson) Glass, were natives of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, where they remained during life.

Mr. Gorrell settled in Trumball County, Ohio, in 1832, making a home in the wild woods, and ere he came to Indiana, had a nice farm cleared. Their children - William (now deceased), Joseph, Matilda, Sarah, and Mary (twins, and now deceased), Andrew, and Cyrus, were born upon that farm. James, John G., and Milo J. Were born prior to their removal to Ohio, February, 1832. Mr. Gorrell, with his family, settled on Section 21, Jefferson Township, September, 1845, he having made a purchase of the entire section and half of Section 28. Not a tree had been felled upon the entire tract. With the aid of the three eldest sons a nice cabin was soon built, and in a short time the family were settled in their new home, and the work of clearing a new farm was commenced. Their goods were transported with teams, one of which was the third span of horses in the township. Oxen were in almost universal use in an early day. They were preferred to horses on account of their living being mostly secured by browsing.

Quite an Indian village was located in the southwest corner of Allen County, and the Indians hunted during the winter season. They were very friendly to the newcomers and freely shared their venison with all who desired. White Loon, the chief, was quite an intimate friend of Mr. Gorrell, and remained upon his reservation in Allen County until his death. Although White Loon was a great friend to the whites, yet it was currently reported that he had stored away the dried tongues of ninety-nine white men. This was not improbable, as all the Indians in this county were under the control of the noted Indian chief, Tecumseh, and nearly all of them were engaged in the great battle of Tippecanoe, near Lafayette, Indiana, during the Indian war of 1812-1813.

In 1847 ague became prevalent, and there were not well people enough in the neighborhood to care for the sick. The winter brought relief, and year by year prosperity became more general. The impetus given to clearing land by the coming of Mr. Gorrell and his brothers-in-law, James and John Glass, was marked, there having been a few of the early settlers who continued to live upon the products of their rifles and their traps. Game of various kinds furnished not only the meat, but the pelts brought cash enough to pay taxes and secure a few other necessary articles. Wildcat money was plentiful enough, but it would not pass in other States, consequently, men were not anxious to obtain it.

In 1847, Mr. Gorrell was elected justice of the peace, his commission bearing the name of Martin Van Buren. Instead of trying to make official fees, most of his time was spent in trying to arbitrate the cases brought before him. During the twenty-nine years in which he served the people, at least three-fourths of the cases that came before him were successfully arbitrated, and many personal friendships were thus brought about. Only two appeals were ever made from his decisions in all those years, and both decisions were sustained in the higher courts. He has administered twenty-seven estates in this county, some of them far up into the thousands of dollars, all of which was done without the loss of a dollar.

James and Andrew Gorrell entered the service soon after the breaking out of the war. They enlisted in Company A, Thirty-Fourth Indiana Infantry, of which James was First Lieutenant. Joseph, then a graduate of medicine from the Buffalo Medical College, enlisted as Surgeon of another regiment which was formed in DeKalb County where he resided. Cyrus enlisted in Company C, Seventy-fifth Regiment, in 1862. He served during the war and lost the sight of his right eye. James resigned and returned home the second year of his enlistment, the other son remained until the close of the war. All served in the most important battles of the war. All of Mr. Gorrell's children are happily married, and all have families. His estimable wife, after a long and well-spent life, was laid to rest in Ossian cemetery, April 25, 1879. Her remains have since been placed in the new cemetery at Ossian. Mr. Gorrell resides in the village and has a competency for his declining years. No man has ever lived in Jefferson Township who has done more to cultivate and promote harmony and enterprise than our subject. For sixty-two years he has been a member of the Presbyterian church, and since 1833 has been an ordained elder. Continuously, since 1846, he has served this church in that capacity, and his life has been such as proclaims the Christian as well as the gentleman.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 709-711. Transcribed by Tammy Rable

WILLIAM GRAHAM, an active and enterprising citizen, and a successful agriculturist, of Rock Creek Township, is a native of Ireland, born in County Donegal, November 26, 1848, a son of Robert and Jane (Greggs) Graham. He passed his youth in his native country, being reared on a farm, and receiving his education in the common schools. He left the home roof in 1865, sailing from Liverpool, England, August 7 of that year, and after a voyage of nine days landed in New York. He came to Wells County, Indiana, the same year, and being in limited circumstances worked at whatever he could find to do, and was employed at farming, in mercantile pursuits, and at the stonemason's and bricklayer's trade, and by hard work and economical habits he accumulated means to purchase his present farm, which then consisted of eighty acres of heavily-timbered land. He immediately began to clear and improve his land, and by persevering energy and his industrious habits he has brought his land under a fine state of cultivation, and has prospered in his farming operations. October 11, 1877, he was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Wallace, a daughter of Thomas Wallace, and to them have been born two children - Thomas and Robert. Both Mr. and Mrs. Graham are members of the Presbyterian church, and are numbered among the respected citizens of Rock Creek Township. In politics Mr. Graham affiliates with the Republican party.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 900.

JOHN J. GRANT, farmer, section 9, Rock Creek Township, is a native of Hampshire County, West Virginia, the date of his birth being August 13, 1816. His parents, John and Mary (Gray) Grant, were born in the State of Virginia, the father being a son of William Grant, who was a native of Scotland, and the mother being of Irish ancestry. John J., our subject, was reared in his native county until attaining the age of fifteen years, when he went to Fairfield County, Ohio, and worked on a farm in that county about six years. In 1837 he came to Wells County, Indiana, where he worked for a time as a farm laborer. He was married May 30, 1839, to Miss Matilda Sparks, who was born in Wilkes County, North Carolina, coming with her father, George Sparks, to Wells County in the fall of 1837. Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Grant five are yet living: —Sarah Ann, Mary J., Elizabeth, George W. and Elmira. Delilah and Jacob are deceased. Mr. Grant lived on rented land a few years after his marriage, when he bought forty-three acres of unimproved land which he cleared and put under cultivation, and after living on this form twenty-two years he sold it and purchased his present farm, to which he removed March 12, 1872, where he has seventy acres of improved land, located on sections 8 and 9, which he has gained by persevering industry and energy. In politics Mr. Grant is a Democrat. He has served as constable and assistant constable in all four years, and also was elected as assessor for four years, and served the full term. Both he and his wife are members of the German Reformed church.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 873-874.

The history of the Hoosier state is not an ancient one. It is the record of the steady growth of a community planted in the wilderness in the last century and reaching its magnitude of today without other aids than those of continued industry. Each county has its share in the story, and every county can lay claim to some incident or transaction which goes to make up the history of the commonwealth. After all, the history of a state is but a record of the doings of its people, among whom the pioneers and the sturdy descendants occupy places of no secondary importance. The story of the plain common people who constitute the moral bone and sinew of the state should ever attract the attention and prove of interest to all true lovers of their kind. In the life story of the subject of this sketch there are no striking chapters or startling incidents, but it is merely the record of a life true to its highest ideals and fraught with much that should stimulate the youth just starting in the world as an independent factor.

P. S. Green is a native of Wells county and a descendant of one of its old and highly respected pioneers. The American branch of the family appears to have had its origin in New York many years ago, and from there representatives moved westward, settling in Ohio. In the latter state was born James Green, who in young manhood married Rebecca Koon, the couple, about 1842, moving to Wells county, Indiana, and settling in the township of Nottingham. James Green cleared and developed a farm from the dense woods in which he originally built his cabin home, and in due time became one of the leading citizens of his community. After tilling the soil for some years he turned his attention to merchandizing, opening a general store in Nottingham township, which was highly prized by the people in that part of the county. For a while he prospered and made money, but later met with reverses which seriously crippled his business and caused the loss of the greater portion of his earnings. A man of much energy, he refused to become discouraged and by successful management eventually rallied from his disaster and again succeeded in accumulating a comfortable competence, including a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres on which he lived for a number of years. Subsequently he took up his residence in Bluffton, where he spent the remainder of his days, honored and respected by all who knew him.

James and Rebecca Green were the parents of ten children, namely: Mary A., Andrew, Amelia, James, Peter S., Charlotte, Rebecca, Charles, Benjamin and Nancy E. Six of these children are still living, three being well known residents of Wells county.

Peter S. Green, of this review, was born March 25, 1851, in Nottingham township, and grew to young manhood on his father's farm. He attended the public schools of winter seasons until about the age of nineteen and then began working in a flouring mill with the object in view of learning the miller's trade. He followed the business for five years in his native county and then went to Michigan, where he spent two years similarly engaged, returning to Bluffton at the end of this time and entering the employ of John Van Horn. Later Mr. Green worked for John P. Clayton, with whom he remained about one year, and in 1880 went to work in a saw-mill for Jacob North, where he remained until about 1884. Severing his connection with his employer, he next turned his attention to carpentry and after following this trade two years, again engaged with Mr. North, in whose employ he continued for some time to his financial advantage. Later Mr. Green bought grain for Studebaker, Sale & Co. at Markle for three or four years, also spending a year or more at Warren buying grain. In addition to the above brief outline of his active business career, he spent some time in the employ of M. D. Brown and in 1896 purchased the flouring-mill at Bluffton which he now owns and which he so successfully operates. Mr. Green has been a very busy man, and in the main success has crowned his efforts as miller. Since moving to Bluffton he has thoroughly remodeled his mill, supplying it with machinery for the manufacture of his White Rose brand of flour. He is familiar with every detail of milling and by giving his customers a superior article has not only built up an extensive business, but has placed himself in independent circumstances financially.

Mr. Green has been twice married, the first time in 1878 to Miss Hattie Bennett, daughter of R. C. Bennett, a union terminated by the death of the wife in 1885. Subsequently he entered into the marriage relation with Emma Estabrook. who has presented him one child, Howard Dale Green, whose birth occurred on the 10th of May, 1890. Politically, Mr. Green is a Republican, but not an active party worker, having no taste in that direction; nevertheless he has pronounced convictions and keeps well posted on matters of state and national legislation, also reads much concerning the great political and industrial questions in which the people are interested at the present time. In every relation of life Mr. Green is known as an honest, incorruptible man, who has ever tried to do his duty as he sees and understands it, and whose word wherever he is known has all the sanctity of a written obligation. In the most liberal sense of the term, he is an optimist, and believes in getting out of life all the enjoyment and sunshine possible to be had. Social to an eminent degree and popular with all classes, he numbers his warm personal friends by the score and all who come within the range of his influence pronounce him the soul of honor and a prince of good fellowship. He has made the world brighter and better by his presence and when the time comes for him to cease life's labors and join the great majority, he will be sadly missed by those whose burdens he lightened, and into whose pathway he cast so many garlands of love and joy.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 254-256.

Nathaniel Greenfield, son of Zechariah and Jane (Forsyth) Greenfield, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in the year 1824. He settled in Wells county in 1852; was married in the year 1851, in Starke county, Ohio, to Maria Jane, daughter of John and Eve (Wagomer) Shafer, her birth having occurred in that county in the year 1832. Their children are: Eva Bell, born November 30 1863 and Anna, February 6, 1867.

Historical Hand-Atlas, With Complete Reference Map of the World, History of Wells Co., IN, Chicago & Toledo: H. H. Hardesty & Co., 1881, p. 208.
Transcribed by Kathy Davis

For nearly three score years actively identified with the development and advancement of the agricultural interests of Wells County, the late John Gregg of Liberty Township was an honored representative of the early pioneers of this section of the state, and a true type of the energetic and enterprising men who, by diligent toil, succeeded in transforming a forest-covered land into a fertile and productive agricultural region. A native of Ireland, he was born in County Donegal, May 9, 1829. His parents, Richard and Fannie (McClure) Gregg, life-long residents of Ireland, reared several children, three of whom, John, William and Daniel, immigrated in early manhood to America.

Arriving in the United States in June, 1851, John Gregg found his first employment in Philadelphia, after which he followed, his trade of bricklayer in Wayne County, Ohio, for a while, in the meantime purchasing a tract of wild land in Liberty Township, Wells County, Indiana. In 1855 Mr. Gregg visited his relatives and friends in Ireland, remaining there about six months. Returning to this country early in 1856, Mr. Gregg married soon after, and immediately settled on his farm in Liberty Township. He cleared and improved his homestead of 130 acres, and during his many years of active life occupied a leading position among the skillful and practical agriculturists of his community. In 1879 he again visited his old home in Ireland, remaining a few months. His death which occurred February 9, 1907, was deemed a loss, not only to his immediate family, but to town and county.

Mr. Gregg married, October 19, 1858, Fannie Wallace, who was born in Rock Creek Township, Wells County, March 28, 1841, a daughter of Samuel and Susanna (Jackson) Wallace. Her father was born in Ireland November 19, 1805 and in 1832 came to the United States, and having settled in Wells County, Indiana, bought land in Rock Creek Township, where he was for many years extensively engaged in farming, being proprietor of large tracts of land. Mrs. Gregg still occupies the homestead on which she and her husband lived so happily together for forty-nine years. She united when young with the Presbyterian Church at Bluffton, to which her husband also belonged, and is now one of its valued and esteemed members. Thirteen children were born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Gregg, eight of whom are living, namely: Richard S., engaged in farming in Harrison Township; Sarah J., living with her mother; J. W. of Detroit, Michigan; Joseph D. of Liberty Center; Mary E., wife of F. R. Cochran of Missouri; Fannie E., wife of Joseph H. Bumbaugh of Jay County, Indiana; Thomas D. of Liberty Township; and John W., living with his mother and sister. Mrs. Gregg also reared a grandson, Kenneth E. Gregg, whom she took into her home and heart when he was but five months old, his birth having occurred March 12, 1901. He is now a junior in the Liberty Center High School.

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

WILLIAM GREGG, an active and enterprising agriculturist of Rock Creek Township, is a native of Ireland, born in County Donegal, November 10, 1837, a son of Richard and Fanny (McClure) Gregg. He was reared in his native country, residing with his parents until the spring of 1855, when, in company with his brother, he started for America, and after a voyage of five weeks, landed at New York. He came directly to Wells County, Indiana, and in 1857 he purchased eighty acres of heavily timbered land on section 35, Rock Creek Township, which he at once began to clear and improve. He was united in marriage in November, 1859, to Miss Agnes Gordon, a native of Scotland, who came to America with her father, Thomas Gordon, when a child. Of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gregg five are living:—Fanny M., Margaret E., Eliza Ann, Jennie May, and Mary J. One child died in infancy. Mr. Gregg is a self-made man, having by persevering industry and good management met with good success in his agricultural pursuits, and acquired his present fine property. His farm, which now consists of 140 acres, is cleared of timber, and is now under a high state of cultivation. In politics Mr. Gregg affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member of Bluffton Lodge, No. 114, I.O.O.F.

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

ADDITIONS TO THE BIOGRAPHY OF WILLIAM GREGG (provided by Sara Fowler)
I am in possession of a Gregg (later Tease) family bible which states that Jennie May was born Janet May and Agnes was the name of their daughter who died at 3 months of age. (Nove 1873 - Jan 1874).

JOSEPH M. GRIFFITH, a representative of one of the old and respected pioneer families of Wells County, was born in Jackson Township, Wells County, Indiana, October 22, 1844, a son of Samuel and Martha (Burkett) Griffith. His grandfather was a native of England, and on coming to America settled in Virginia, and subsequently removed to Perry County, Ohio, where his son Samuel, the father of our subject, was born, reared and married to Martha Burkett, who was also a native of Perry County. In the second year after their marriage, during the fall of 1838, they packed their household effects and came by team to Indiana, his parents and two married brothers and a single brother and sister accompanying them, all of whom located in Jackson Township, Wells County. Samuel with his family, consisting of his wife and one son, George, located on a tract of 160 acres which he had previously entered. This land was heavily covered with timber, and no improvements had been made on the place, when he settled on it, except a log cabin which he and his brother had put up. Game was then very abundant. Mr. Griffith cleared about 130 acres of his land, and became one of the prosperous citizens of his township. In October 1868, he removed to Springfield, Missouri, but two years later returned to Wells County, and rented land for two years. He then bought 160 acres, and five years later added eighty acres to his first purchase. He subsequently sold forty acres, leaving him a tract of 200 acres. His wife died in July, 1848, and he was again married to Charlotte Wiley, who is still living on the old homestead in Jackson Township. Samuel Griffith was a benevolent man, and a church member, and was a man universally respected. In the '50's he held the office of constable of Jackson Township.

Joseph M. Griffith, whose name heads this sketch, was reared to manhood in Jackson Township, and has always made it his home with the exception of two years spent with his father's family in Missouri. On becoming of age he learned the carpenter's trade, which he has since followed together with farming. He also conducted a livery stable at Bluffton for one year. October 4, 1878, he was married to Miss Eliza Huffman, who was also born in Jackson Township, Wells County, a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Baker) Huffman, and to them have been born six children: Charles, Dollie, Ortie, Ida and two who died in infancy. In 1882 Mr. Griffith bought sixty acres of land in Jackson Township, where he has since made his home. Both he and his wife are members of the New Light Christian church, he being clerk of the church. In his political views he is a Democrat, but generally votes for the man whom he considers best fitted for office, independent of party ties. He has held the office of constable of his township, serving with credit to himself and his constituents.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 991-992.
Transcribed by R J Meredith

Eli Griffith, deceased, was one of the pioneers of Jackson Township. He was a native of Perry County, Ohio, born in July, 1815, and was there reared and married. After his marriage he moved, in 1838, to Wells County, Indiana, and settled on the northwest quarter of section 32, Jackson Township, where he lived until his death, which occurred January 16, 1877. In politics he was a Democrat. When he came to settle on this farm he had to cut a road in order to drive his team and wagon to it. He then lived in his wagon until a cabin was erected in a mass of woods. He saw the Indians trailing through the woods and could hear the wolf howl at night. He could stand in his cabin door and shoot the bounding deer which roamed the woods, and to-day the golden grain grows upon the fields that he cleared day by day. His wife, who survives him, was Mary J. Burkett. She was a native of Pennsylvania, born September 29, 1818, and came to Ohio in 1824, and was married to Eli Griffith in 1836. They had a family of eleven children, five of whom are living- Catherann, Mary E., Aaron P., James B. and Michael W. Michael W. was born July 1, 1859, on the farm where his parents first settled, and where he still lives. He was married in November 1883, to Nancy A. Banter, a native of Champaign County,Ohio, born October 10, 1862. They have three children- Grover E.,born August 7, 1884; Carrie M.,August 27, 1885; Odes H., January 6, 1887. John Griffith, deceased, father of Eli, was a native of Virginia, born in 1778, and there was reared and married to Polly Groves, a native of England, born in 1780. From Virginia they moved to Perry County, Ohio, and in 1838 they came to Wells County, Indiana, and settled in Jackson Township, on the northeast quarter of section 33, where they lived until death; the former died August 28,1853, and his wife April 25, 1854, and they were buried on the farm where they lived. Michael Burkett, deceased, father of Mary J., was a native of Germany, born in 1794, and there reared and married Mary Amon, also a native of Germany, born in 1790. In 1817, they came to Pennsylvania and from there moved to Perry County, Ohio, where they lived until death, the father dying in 1838 and the mother September 1, 1862.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 934.
Transcribed by R J Meredith

GEORGE WASHINGTON GRIMES, engaged in manufacturing and dealing in boilers, engines, mill machinery and architectural iron-work, at Bluifton, is a native of Wells County, Indiana, born in Harrison Township, in the vicinity of Bluffton, August 14, 1856. His parents, Charles and Martha (Lanning) Grimes, were natives of Ohio, the father born in Washington County, of English and Scotch ancestry, and the mother born in Guernsey County, of English parentage. They were married in 1840, and to them were born seven children of whom our subject was the fourth son. He and a sister, Amy, wife of Marcellus Alexander, of Bluffton, are the only surviving members of the family. The children deceased are: Cynthia, who died at the age of seven years; William S., who was a physician of Andrews, Huntington County, died February 22, 1870, aged twenty-eight years; Sarah died February 2, 1871, aged twenty-one years; John L. died in March, 1875, aged twenty-eight years, and Benjamin F. died at the age of eighteen years, May 12, 1880. The father came to Wells County, Indiana, in 1841, and settled on a farm in Harrison Township, where he followed farming until his death, September 4, 1874. He was a Democrat in politics, and a prominent man in his township, of which he was justice of the peace a number of years. At one time he ran for treasurer of Wells County, but was defeated by only two votes. He was an active member of the Baptist church, and it was mainly through his efforts that the Baptist church at Bluffton was built. He was a deacon in his church for many years. The mother was also an active member of the Bluffton Baptist church. After the death of her husband she continued to reside on the homestead in Harrison Township until her death, which occurred March 28, 1878, at the age of sixty-one years.

George W. Grimes, the subject of this sketch, was reared on his father's farm, receiving his early education in the district schools of Harrison Township. He subsequently took a course at the Bluffton High School, and in 1878 took a commercial course at Nelson's Commercial College at Cincinnati, Ohio. In August, 1879, he opened a bakery at Bluffton, which he carried on till the following December, when he engaged in the business which he still follows, and is meeting with good success in this enterprise. June 9, 1881, he was married at Bluffton to Miss Aurie B. Mason, a daughter of Leonidas Mason, M.D., of Bluffton. She was reared principally in Wells County, receiving good educational advantages. She graduated from the Bluffton High School in the class of 1878, and is also a graduate of the Oxford College, of Oxford, Ohio, graduating from there in the class of 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Grimes are the parents of two children: Lena, born at Bluffton, November 15, 1883, and John Leo, born at Bluffton, July 10, 1880. In politics Mr. Grimes affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a charter member of Bluffton Lodge, No. 92, K. of P., of which he has passed all the chairs, and is a member of the grand lodge of the State. He is also a Knight of honor and has passed all the chairs of Bluffton Lodge, No. 1838, and is a member of the grand lodge of the State of Indiana.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 994-997.

Success is determined by one's ability to recognize opportunity and to pursue this with a resolute, unflagging energy. It results from continued labor and the man who thus accomplishes his purpose usually becomes an important factor in business or agricultural circles of the community with which he is connected. Through such means Thomas F. Grove has attained a leading place among the representative agriculturists of Chester Township, and his well-spent and honorable life has been rewarded by the accumulation of a good property, lying on Poneto Rural Route No. 1.

Mr. Grove is a native son of Wells County, Indiana, and was born on a farm in Harrison Township, December 28, 1873, being a son of Joshua S. and Lydia (Balur) Grove, the former a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, and the latter also born in the Buckeye State. Both Joshua and Lydia Grove were young people when brought by their parents to Indiana, the families settling not far from each other in Wells County, south of Bluffton and near Poneto, where the young people met. The grandparents passed the remaining years of their lives on their respective farms, reaching advanced years and rounding out careers of honor and usefulness. Joshua S. Grove was a lifelong farmer and the developer of a goodly share of property. He passed his life within the limits of Wells County from his boyhood, and during the later years of his life lived on the farm that is now occupied by his son in Chester Township, where he died November 17, 1899, Mrs. Grove passing away April 15, 1916. Mr. Grove was a democrat in politics, was active in the ranks of his party, and a man of some importance and influence in his community, serving in the capacity of county commissioner from 1895 to 1898. He was a devout Christian and a member of the United Brethren Church, to which Mrs. Grove, who died April 15, 1916, also belonged. They were the parents of ten children, of whom three are now living: Lollie, who is the wife of George W. Carnes, a minister of the Methodist Church; Merton A., a resident of Poneto; and Thomas F.

Thomas F. Grove took his studies at the district school in the vicinity of his father's farm and was reared to the pursuits of agriculture, in which he has always been engaged. At the time of his father's death, he became the manager of the property, which he operated for his mother until the latter's death, when he became the owner by inheritance and by purchase from the other heirs. He had made numerous improvements on this land, which now presents a prosperous and up-to-date appearance, reflecting the spirit and enterprise of its owner. He is a democrat in his political views, and was for some years identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

In 1896 Mr. Grove was married to Stella Campbell, daughter of Robert Campbell, of Liberty Center, and they have two children: Ralph C. and Ruby M., the former a graduate of the graded schools, has spent one year in the Bluffton High School; and the latter is now attending the graded schools.

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. 770.
Contributed by Nola Rains

JOSEPH GROVES, deceased, one of the early settlers of Wells County, was born in Pennsylvania, January 3, 1803, son of George and Susanna Groves, of German descent. When he was seven years of age he went with his parents to Fairfield, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. His early life was passed in assisting his father, who was a tanner and shoemaker by trade. He was married in Fairfield County to Miss Elizabeth Hoskinson, a daughter of Jonathan Hoskinson, who was born in Virginia and came with her parents to Ohio when quite young. After his marriage Mr. Groves resided in Ohio until the fall of 1839, when he came with his family to Wells County and entered 160 acres of Government land which was heavily timbered. They lived under a large oak tree until he had his cabin built. There were himself and family, two brothers and their families, and his father and mother, making twenty-one persons in all. Mr. Groves followed farming during the rest of his life, enduring all the hardships, trials and privations of pioneer life. Five of his nine children reached maturity, and two are now living:—Mary married Jacob Stahl; Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of John Van Horn; Harriet married Josiah Davis, who is now deceased; Thomas Benton, deceased; Martha married John Groves and is now deceased; four died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Groves were active and consistent members of the United Brethren church. Mr. Groves died December 29, 1878, and Mrs. Groves died July 15, 1878.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 842-843.

Henry Gumber, residing in Harrison Township, is engaged as Superintendent of City Schools, at Bluffton, Indiana. He removed to Wells county in 1880; was five years Superintendent at North Manchester, Indiana. He was born in Darke County, Ohio, in the year 1837. He was married in Euphemia, Preble County, Ohio, in 1858, to Caroline J. Chace. She was born in that county in the year 1842. Her children are: George W., born January 12, 1859, and is a resident of Roann, Wabash County, Indiana; Anonymous G., July 11, 1860, resides in Greenville, Darke County, Ohio; Anna Laura, October 2, 1862; Junius L., July 24, 1864; Linnaeus A., October 21, 1866; Evangeline, September 21, 1871; Mary, April 6, 1879. Mrs. Gumber's parents are Nathan and Mary Margaret B. (Fleak) Chace. Mr. Gumber's parents are William and ----- Gumber. Address, Bluffton.

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 P. Gutelius, deceased, was a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; was born on the 22d day of November 1798. He settled in Wells County in the year 1868 and was a son of Frederick Gutelius. His wife, Henrietta, is a daughter of Nathaniel and Wealthy (Smith) Turner. She was born in Rome, Oneida County, New York, March 27, 1818. She resides in Harrison township; is proprietress of the Bluffton Exchange Hotel. She was married at Columbus, Ohio, January ---, 1839. Her children are: Martha J., born January 13, 1840; Henrietta, July 25, 1841, deceased; Nettie L., April 8, 1843; John A., January 20, 1845, deceased; William A., June 5, 1848; Mary E., February 15, 1850; Emma M., January 17, 1852; Thomas H.C., May 8, 1856. Address, Mrs. H. Gutelius at Bluffton.

Historical Hand-Atlas, With Complete Reference Map of the World, History of Wells Co., IN, Chicago & Toledo: H. H. Hardesty & Co., 1881, p. 208.

WILLIAM ALLEN GUTELIUS, druggist, Bluffton, Indiana, was born in Pickerington, Fairfield County, Ohio, June 5, 1848, a son of John P. and Henrietta (Turner) Gutelius. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, and left his native State in 1837 and lived in Ohio until 1868, when he came to Bluffton, Wells County, Indiana, and became proprietor of the Exchange Hotel, which he continued until his death, which occurred July 15, 1871, at the age of seventy-three years. In politics he was a Democrat, and at one time was clerk of Union County, Pennsylvania. He held to no particular creed, and was a member of no church. The mother of our subject is a native of New York, but was reared in Columbus, Ohio, where she was taken by her parents when a child, in 1818, and was there married to Mr. Gutelius January 8, 1839, being the second wife. Since his death she has lived at Bluffton with her children. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Five of her eight children are living, all residents of Bluffton: Martha J., wife of R. Y. Saylor; Henrietta L., wife of M. M. Justus; William A.; Emma M., wife of Hon. J. S. Dailey, and Thomas H.

William A. Gutelius was reared in Fairfield County, Ohio, and educated in the district schools and Fairfield Union Academy, at Pleasantville. When thirteen years of age he began in a measure to support himself, being for two years a newsboy in Columbus. When nineteen years old he began to teach school, and taught in Fairfield County, Ohio, and in Wells County, Indiana. In 1869 he engaged in the hotel business with his father, which continued until the latter's death, and in 1871 he embarked in the drug business at Bluffton. Mr. Gutelius was married at Fort Wayne, Indiana, June 21, 1871, to Mary F. Buckles, daughter of John H. and Harriet S. (Vorris) Buckles. They have six children: William B., born May 10, 1872; Harry E., September 21, 1873; Hattie L., December 13, 1875; Nettie, April 13, 1877; Maud E., July 19, 1879, and Mary, August 13, 1885. Mr. Gutelius is a member of Bluffton Lodge, No. 114, I. O. O. F. His father was made a Mason in 1819, and at his death was one of the oldest members of the order in the State of Indiana.

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