Agriculture, the source of all wealth, finds in Wells county, Indiana, a representative in the truest sense of the word in the person of Andrew J. Haflich, a resident of Union township and one of the present county commissioners. He was born in Crawford county, Ohio, October 31, 1843, and came to Wells county, Indiana, with his parents, Isaac and Catherine (Fletcher) Haflich, when he was but eight years of age. The family settled in Rock Creek township on a farm, in the cultivation of which hyoung Andrew J. was early called upon to assist, and was thus, to a great extent, deprived of opportunities to secure an education in youth. However, he secured a robust and healthy physical constituion through his labors on the homestead, and at the time secured a thorough knowledge of the noble and honorable calling of agriculture. He was sufficiently well educated, however, to become a teacher in a rural school, althought he did not follow that vocation as a profession. He continued his labors on the home farm until he had attained his majority, when he started in business on his own account. April 1, 1865, he married Miss Amanda Beil, who came with her father, Jacob Beil, from Ohio when the daughter was quite young, and settled in Rock Creek township, Wells county, where she was educated and where she afterwards taught school for several terms. To them have been born ten children, of whom nine still survive and are named Ida, Sylvia, Reuben, Jacob, Mary, Viola, Bessie, Eva and Hattie.

At marriage, Andrew J. Haflich rented the Haflich homestead, which he cultivated and lived upon until April, 1872, when he purchased seventy acres of the farm he now occupies, but which was then without improvements of any kind. This he has since cleared, ditched and improved in all respects, thus developing one of the finest homesteads in Union township.

Mr. and Mrs. Haflich are faithful workers in the Methodist Episcopal church at Uniondale, of which Mr. Haflich is a trustee and Mrs. Haflich a steward. Mr. Haflich in past time served as superintendent of the Sunday school, and is now assistant superintendent, while Mrs. Haflich is a teacher. In politics Mr. Haflich has been a life-long Democrat and at the present hour is one of the leading men of his party in Wells county. His experience as a politician is extended and varied, and his managing ability has been tested in many a hard-fought campaign. In primaries and in conventions his voice is always listened to with profound respect and his advice eagerly sought and followed. Although he has never felt any special desire for office holding, he has nevertheless felt it to be his duty as a matter of patriotism to respond to the party call to serve in any capacity, and hence it is that he is now filling his second term as county commissioner from the third district of Wells county. His duties have been performed during over six years as a member of the board of commissioners in such a manner as not only to redound to his personal credit, but to be a subject of hearty congratulation by the Democratic party.

As a farmer Mr. Haflich has treated his vocation from an intellectual as well as a practical standpoint. From his earliest days he has recognized the all-important bearing agriculture has upon the fate of any nation, and is well aware of the fact that anagricultural people is the happiest and, as a whole, the wealthiest on the face of the earth. As a citizen Mr. Haflich is useful and public spirited, is widely known and respected, and his family share with him the unfeigned esteem of the entire population of Union township.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, p. 551-552.

The Haflich family, of Wells county, Indiana, is of German descent, but the progenitors of Eli Haflich were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania, where Isaac Haflich, his father, was born and reared. Eli Haflich, now among the most prominent farmers of Rock Creek township, was born in Richland county, Ohio, December 25, 1840, and was brought by his parents, Isaac and Catherine (Pletcher) Haflich, from Ohio to Indiana in the spring of 1848 and has made Wells county his home ever since. Isaac Haflich, on his arrival in Wells county, entered the tract of land now owned by Jacob Beil, which was then a mere wilderness. This tract he succeeded in clearing up and in converting into a profitable farm in due course of time, beginning, as a matter of course, in the usual pioneer way, by erecting a small log cabin for shelter and clearing a small field for the cultivation of corn, on which to subsist until better provisions could be secured. There were at that time but few people at Murray and a few at Markle, and the intercourse between these but at rare intervals. Nevertheless Isaac Haflich acquired one hundred and sixty acres of land and at the time of his death was a well-to-do man, the result of his own industry and good management. He was a great hunter, and it was through this that he got his first financial start.

Eli Haflich was the seventh born in a family of twelve children, of whom there are only five now living, viz. William, Eli, A. J., John, and Barbara, wife of Alfred Breckley. At the early age of eight years, Eli Haflich was brought to Rock Creek township, Wells county, and assisted his father in clearing up the land, but did not neglect attending the common school whenever he found an opportunity and thus secured a very fair education. Eli continued, until he attained his majority, to faithfully assist his father, and after becoming of age worked one year for him at the wages current at the time, and then, until his marriage, hired out to whomsoever needed his services.

In November, 1865, Eli Haflich was united in matrimony with Miss Catherine Derr, whose parents came to Wells county, Indiana, from Richmond county, Ohio, about the year 1862. Mr. Haflich at the time of his marriage was comparatively poor and had but fifty cents in cash and a horse that cost him one hundred and forty dollars, but the animal soon died and he was left without either horse or cash. He now owns two hundred and forty acres of good land, nearly all of which he has acquired through his indefatigable industry, which was shown even when a boy, by running a threshing machine and later by raising hogs and cattle. In 1894 he erected his present fine brick residence.

To the marriage of Eli Haflich and Catherine Derr have been born five children, viz: William A., Ervin L., Millie, Franklin and Jennie, all married with the exception of the youngest. Mrs. Haflich having been called away by death, Mr. Haflich married for his second helpmate Mrs. Lavina L. (Zink) Haflich, widow of John H. Haflich. Mr. Haflich is a devoted member of the Lutheran church, in which he has also served two years as superintendent of the Sunday school, during which period he has not missed a single Sabbath. In his political affinities, Mr. Haflich is a solid Democrat and has filled the office of township assessor eight years. He is one of the influential citizens of Wells county and is honored and respected throughout its length and breadth.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, p. 588-589.

Among the conspicuous residents of Rock Creek township, Wells county, Indiana, is Samuel A. Haflich, of whose ancestors mention is made on another page of this volume. Samuel A. Haflich is a son of Jacob and Anna (Hoover) Haflich. Jacob Haflich was born in Pennsylvania, from which state he migrated to Ohio, where he married. Samuel A. Haflich was born in Rock Creek township, Wells county, Indiana, January 23, 1849, his parents having moved here some time previously. The father purchased one hundred and seventy-five acres of wild woodland, with but two houses between his place and Huntington. He had a capital of eighteen dollars in cash when he came here, but managed to build a log house, which answered his purpose until 1862, when he erected a fine brick dwelling and here reared his family, but in 1880 moved to Markle, where his death occurred.

Jacob Haflich was a charter member of the Horeb Lutheran church and he, William Wert, Samuel Fafe, Samuel Haflich and John Working constituted the first congregation, of which Jacob was one of the first elders. He was a Democrat in politics, was very popular with his party and under its auspices was elected to several positions of honor and trust, including that of township trustee, which office he held four years. To Jacob and Anna (Hoover) Haflich were born five children, viz: Charlotte, deceased; John, deceased; Reuben, deceased; Samuel A., the gentleman whose name opens this sketch, and Mary A., wife of Jacob Farling.

Samuel Haflich was reared to agricultural pursuits on the old homestead, but in his boyhood days was permitted to attend the district school during the winter seasons. During the summers he continued to assist on the farm until he had attained the age of twenty-one years, after which he hired his time to Jacob Shiveley for eight months at the same class of work. He then worked for his uncle a while, then went to Michigan, where he went on the railroad for a short time as a brakeman, but returned to the old farm, on which he took a lease.

In 1874 Mr. Haflich was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Lesh, daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Erhart) Lesh. This young lady was born in Rock Creek township, Wells county, in 1857, and was educated in the common schools This union resulted in the birth of four boys and two girls, as follows: Clara A., deceased; Jacob H. was graduated from the Markle high school, and later took a commercial course at Indianapolis and subsequently became a teacher in the common schools of the county; Clifford C. was graduated from the Markle high school and also from the Huntington school and Danville Commercial School; William A. has received a common school education; Curtis E. and Cressie. The parents of this family are members of the Lutheran church and are among the most highly respected residents of the county. In politics Mr. Haflich is a Democrat and is a faithful worker for his party, but has never sought any personal political preferment.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, p. 586-587.

The gentleman whose name opens this biographical notice is a member of one of the oldest settled families of Rock Creek township, Wells county, Indiana, being a son of Isaac and Catherine (Pletcher) Haiflich, but was born in Richland county, Ohio, April 12, 1837. The paternal grandfather as well as the parents of William Haiflich were natives of the Buckeye state. The Pletcher family came from Pennsylvania and early settled in Richland county, Ohio, also, and were agriculturists of the better class.

Isaac Haiflich, after marriage, rented a farm in Ohio, on which he resided until about 1848 or '49, when he came to Wells county, Indiana, and settled in Rock Creek township, there being at that time but two houses in Murray and one house in Markle, the intervening distance between the two villages containing a solitary farm, that owned by Jacob Miller, but now occupied by William Coover. Isaac Haiflich here entered one hundred and sixty acres of wild woodland, which he lived upon and cleared up and developed it into one of the best farms in the township. In politics Mr. Haiflich was one of the leading Democrats of Rock Creek township, and his religious faith was that of the German Baptist church. He had led a pure and industrious life and through his personal labors acquired a fortune of eight thousand dollars. To Isaac Haiflich and Catherine (Pletcher) Haiflich there was born the large family of twelve children, of whom there are five still living.

William Haiflich was reared in the woods of Rock Creek township, and was early inured to hard work, which has redounded eventually to his pecuniary benefit, as well as to his physical and mental development. Whatever may be said of the malarial conditions of the atmosphere in certain portions of the state of Indiana, it may safely be said that Rock Creek township is blessed with an invigorating circumambient belt of ozone, or oxygen, very conducive to health and longevity, and under these favorable circumstances Mr. Haiflich developed into the prominent and influential gentleman he now is.

As the early services of Mr. Haiflich were called into requisition in clearing up the home farm, he had but few opportunities of attending school, yet the time he was permitted to devote to this purpose was not abused and he succeeded in acquiring an education adequate for all practical purposes. He has done as much work, in all probability, in making Rock Creek township the paradise it now is as any man of his age within its boundaries. He managed the home place after leaving school until he had attained his majority and at the age of twenty-two found himself with a wife and forty dollars in cash, with which to start in business as a renter of his father-in-law's farm.

Mr. Haiflich was married, March 3, 1859, to Miss Sarah E. Sparks, daughter of Aaron and Huldah Sparks. She was born in Wells county, Indiana, February 14, 1843. To Mr. and Mrs. Haiflich have been born eight children, of whom six still survive and are named as follows: Eli C., Almeda Ann, William A., Samuel H., Charles E. and Rosetta.

After Mr. Haiflich's marriage he settled on the Sparks homestead, which he subsequently purchased, and on which he resided until moving to his present farm in November, 1897. Mr. Haiflich owns at present three hundred and twenty acres of good, well improved land and is considered one of the well-to-do and substantial farmers of Wells county. In 1864 he responded to his country's call to arms and enlisted in Company E, Twelfth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He took part in several battles, served nine months, and was then honorably discharged, being now the recipient of a pension of twelve dollars per month.

The Haiflich family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Sparks Chapel, of which Mr. Haiflich has been a trustee for several years. He has served as class leader and also as Sunday school superintendent. In his political affiliations he is a Democrat, but although he is a faithful worker in his party's interests he has never sought an office. Mr. and Mrs. Haiflich, as may well be inferred, are among the most highly respected residents of Rock Creek township, and it may be a gratification to the reader to refer to the biography of Eli Haiflich, to be found on another page of this volume, for further information concerning this old-time family.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, p. 442-444.

An enterprising, industrious young man, full of vim and push, Ralph W. Haifley of Craigville, Wells County, well-known as a successful contractor, has started out in life with fair prospects for most prosperous future, his energy, ability, and good business tact bidding fair to place him ere long among the prominent men of his community. A native of Wells County, he was born in Rock Creek Township, Indiana, April 10, 1887, a son of Eli C. Haifley.

Martin Haifley, his paternal grandfather, came from Pennsylvania to Indiana in pioneer days, and was the first settler of Wells County. He located at what is now Bluffton, and in addition to becoming owner of much town property was proprietor of Kennegy Island. He was identified with the business interests of the place as a hardware merchant, and as a preacher in the Methodist Church looked after the spiritual welfare of the community. The land which he possessed was purchased by him from the Government.

Eli C. Haifley was brought up and educated in Wells County, of which he is still a resident, his home being north of Bluffton. His wife, whose maiden name was Emma Gettle, was born in Bluffton, Indiana, where her parents located on coming to this state from Pennsylvania. Six children were born of their union, as follows: William, Samuel, Charles, Ralph W., Rosa, and Anna.

Having acquired a practical knowledge of books in the public schools of Bluffton, Ralph W. Haifley was for a time variously employed, and in whatever pursuit he embarked was successful. For several years he has been actively engaged as a contractor, at the present time, in 1917, being actively associated with the drainage contracting business. In this branch of industry, Mr. Haifley has filled many large contracts in a highly satisfactory manner, his work being in every way acceptable and commendable.

Mr. Haifley married Cora Frugher, a daughter of William and Sarah Frugher, their marriage having been solemnized November 23, 1913. *Three children have blessed their union, Irene, Joy, Justin, May and William Eli. In his political affiliations Mr. Haifley is a stanch democrat.

*(Note: I typed this as it was printed in the book. It mentioned "three children" but names five. Perhaps the author put commas where none were intended and the names should read: Irene Joy, Justin May, and William Eli.)

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. 909.
Contributed by Nola Rains

Bowen Hale whose business is that of farming is a resident of Harrison township. In 1835 he removed to Wells county. He filled the position of Post-master in 1838, and Clerk of the Court and Recorder, from 1837 to 1851. He held the office of Justice of the Peace one term, and County Commissioner one term. He was born July 4, 1801, in Mason County, Kentucky. His parents are John and Sarah (Bowen) Hale. His wife, Mary Ann Dean, to whom he was married at Dayton, Ohio, was born April 17, 1816, in Montgomery County, Ohio. Her first child, John D., was born December 27, 1842; he served three years in the late war; resides at Geneva, Adams County; Silas W., born September 8, 1844; served seven months; resides at Portland, Jay County; James P., April 15, 1846; Emrilla (Hale) Vanemmons, December 6, 1847; Jane (Hale) Markley, March 26, 1850; Mary, July 22, 1852; Lewis B., July 19, 1854. All reside in Wells County, Indiana. Address, Bluffton, Indiana.

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

BOWEN HALE, of Harrison Township, Wells County, Indiana, was born in Mason County, Kentucky, July 4, 1801. His father, John Hale, was born in Maryland, and was a son of James Hale, a native of England, who immigrated to America and located in Maryland, and subsequently removed with his family to Kentucky. Being a slave-holder, he carried with him a number of slaves, but being opposed to involuntary servitude, he here set his slaves free, after they had cleared his farm and had made a home for him. He passed the remainder of his days on this farm. In 1802 his widow removed to Greene County, Ohio, with her son, with whom she made her home, afterward removing to Randolph County, Indiana, where she died some six years later. John Hale, the father of our subject, was married in Kentucky to Sarrah Bowen, a native of Pennsylvania, of Welsh ancestry. She died January 2, 1813. They had three sons - James Hale, of Randolph County, Indiana, born about the year 1799, died in 1882; Bowen Hale, the subject of our sketch, and Silas Hale, of Greene County, Ohio, born in the year 1803; he still lives near and owns the old homestead in that county. John Hale removed to Greene County, Ohio, in the year 1802, where he followed farming and tanning until the year 1837; he then removed to Whitley County, Indiana, where he entered 1,120 acres of land from the Government in Whitley and Kosciusko counties, and built a saw and gristmill, the first in that section of the country. In 1812 he joined a rifle company as a volunteer soldier, and served in Northern Ohio for one year. He died in Whitley County, Indiana, on his farm, at the age of seventy-three years.

Bowen Hale, the subject of our sketch, was only one year old when his father removed to Greene County, Ohio. Here his youth was passed on his father's farm near the now old town of Bellbrook, assisting his father in the tannery and on the farm; here, too, in a log schoolhouse in the neighborhood, he received what education he possessed, which was sufficient to enable him to teach school as schools were taught in those days, he having filled that important position for a few months on the occasion of the sickness of the regular teacher. He remained with his father, his mother having died when he was quite young, until he reached his majority, when he left home and learned the chair-making business, which he followed for several years, working in Dayton, Xenia and Cincinnati. During this time too he took a trip South, going down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers in a steamboat. In the State of Mississippi he followed house-painting, having become skilled in that trade while painting chairs in the shop. After his return from this trip he engaged in the mercantile business in Bellbrook, Ohio, until 1834, when he sold his interest in the store, and came to Wells County, Indiana, in 1835, his physician having advised him to go West for his health, telling him that unless he did so he could not hope to live very long, consequently he started into the woods to seek a home. He came down the Wabash River, and being charmed with the fertile lands along the Wabash, he stopped near the town of Murray and resolved to make this his home. His father three years later passed by these lands and settled on the higher and more broken lands in Whitley County. Here Mr. Hale entered forty acres of land, hired a man to build him a cabin, and started to Cincinnati for a stock of goods, having resolved to start a trading point to trade with the Indians and the few white inhabitants in the county, there being only about twelve white families within the limits of Wells County. On his return, in the spring of 1836, he found that his cabin had not been built; but he went to work, and with the assistance of Henry Miller and others, he soon had a comfortable cabin, suitable for store-room and living-room. His customers were mostly Indians, who were peaceable, yet, like all good Indians, were dangerous when filled with fire-water, dishonest and treacherous at all times. His stock of dry goods, consisting of brass rings, whisky and such articles of clothing as the Indians usually wore, were converted into pelts, there being but little money in the country. These pelts were conveyed usually on Henry Miller's wagon to Dayton, Ohio, or Cincinnati, and there sold. As a matter of course he left nothing behind in his cabin, as the Indians ransacked that as soon as he was gone. The trip to Dayton and Cincinnati usually took about three weeks or longer. Although Mr. Hale had made his home in this wild country, and in common with all that hardy race of pioneers, the first settlers of Wells County, had many narrow escapes from wild animals and wild men, yet he was strictly a man of peace, and never was a hunter, and tells with considerable satisfaction that he never killed but one deer in his life, and that he stood in the door of his cabin and shot. Seeing the deer quietly grazing in front of his door, an Indian who was present picked up his gun to shoot it, when Mr. Hale asked him to let him shoot, and he took his gun and shot, killing the deer. He often said he had all the hunting he wanted in keeping the turkeys, squirrels and other animals out of his corn fields.

Mr. Hale was first married in 1837 to Miss Sarah James, a native of Virginia, who died in two years and three months after her marriage, without children. In the year 1840 he married Miss Mary Ann Deam, of Montgomery County, Ohio, a daughter of Adam Deam, probably from Virginia, who afterward removed to Wells County and settled near Murray and built the first grist-mill at that place. Adam Deam had four sons - Abram, William, John and James P. William and James P. each served as treasurer of Wells County; and four daughters, Rachel, Mary Ann, Harriet and Ann. Mrs. Hale died in the year 1872, leaving Mr. Hale again a widower. They had eight children, seven of whom survive - John D., clerk of Adams County; Hon. Silas W., of Geneva, Adams County; James P., of Bluffton; Lewis B., residing on the old homestead; Emerillas, wife of A. R. Vanemon; Jane, the wife of Daniel Markley, and Mary, living at home with her father.

At the organization of Wells County, in 1887, Bowen Hale was elected to the offices of auditor, clerk and recorder, or rather these three offices were then combined in one. He continued to hold these three offices until 1841, when an auditor was elected and he was relieved of the duties of that office. Ten years later Wilson M. Bulger was elected recorder, leaving Mr. Hale with the office of clerk, which he continued to hold until 1855, making a total of twenty years in the clerk's office alone, his time having expired by the limit of the Constitution, and although urged to accept it again he declined to do so. He also for a short time during this period held the office of postmaster, he being the first postmaster in the county. In the year 1858 he was elected to the office of magistrate and filled the office for three years. Again, in the year 1865, he was elected, against his wishes, to the office of county commissioner; he being indisposed at the time, was not even aware that he was a candidate until the day of his election. Thus is his history the history of Wells County; coming into public life before the organization of the county, for twenty-six years he was a servant of the people of Wells County, and her interest was his interest, and to say that he did his work well is wholly unnecessary; the people have said as much by their ballots; never were the affairs of any county better or more honestly administered. His records are neat, legible, perfectly formed, accurate, complete and excite the admiration of the most skilled attorneys. When he removed from his farm near Murray he brought his dry goods store with him and continued in that business for a short time, his store being a log cabin on Market street, the town being then in the woods with heavy timber and thick underbrush in all the streets. Hon. John Studabaker became his rival in business, his store being also on Market street, and they cleared the brush out of the street so that they might be able to see from their boarding-house, a square away, to their respective places of business. Mr. Hale tells, among many instances of his early pioneer life, of a young limb of the law who landed in Bluffton with the avowed intention of practicing his chosen profession. He sought Mr. Hale and asked permission to make the clerk's office his law office for a short time, which request was granted, and the young lawyer sat down to work. Concluding it would be well to advertise his business, he wrote his card on a sheet of paper and posted the same on a tree standing at the crossing of Main and Market streets. When Mr. Hale went to supper he walked up and read it, and after the young lawyer's name, in large letters, were the words "Eterney at Law." Mr. Hale informed the young man of his mistake, who immediately tore down the advertisement and left town; he located in an adjoining county, and now bears the honorable title of "Judge." Thus, by a mistake in spelling, the town lost a lawyer, judge and citizen. Mr. Hale was always a Democrat, his first vote for President being cast for Andrew Jackson. He never was, however, much of a politician, according to the usual application of that term, and never electioneered for himself; it is said that he once started out for that purpose, but was so disgusted with the business that after going a few miles in the country he turned his horse toward home and never tried it again. When the civil war broke out two of Mr. Hale's sons enlisted and at the battle of Mission Ridge John D. was shot through the body, and lay in the hospital at Chattanooga, Tennessee. Mr. Hale, even then an old man, went to Chattanooga and brought him home. In 1858 Mr. Hale retired with his family to his farm, where he still lives at the ripe old age of eighty-six years. Truly he has been a faithful servant to the people of Wells County; has served them long and well, and he in return has been well rewarded by the love and confidence of the people. His strict economy has enabled him to lay up sufficient property to keep him comfortable in his old age, and his temperate habits have given him strength of mind and body, enabling him to endure the hardships of pioneer life and to resist the ravages of disease, and now at the age of eighty-six his mind is clear, his memory good, his hand steady and he is in the full enjoyment of all his senses, with a prospect of many more years of a happy existence. In his earlier life he became a member of the Universalist church, and was for many years a trustee of that church at Bluffton, and is still a believer in the doctrines as taught by Ballou, Chapin and others. He also joined the Masonic lodge at Bluffton, and was for many years a member of Bluffton Lodge, No. 145, and still believes in their teachings and lives in the hope of a blessed immortality.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 651-654.

Bowen Hale, of Harrison Township, Wells County, Indiana, was born in Mason County, Kentucky, July 4, 1801. His father, John Hale, was born in Maryland, and was a son of James Hale, a native of England, who immigrated to America and located in Maryland, and subsequently removed with his family to Kentucky. Being a slave-holder, he carried with him a number of slaves, but being opposed to involuntary servitude, he here set his slaves free, after they had cleared his farm and had made a home for him. he passed the remainder of his days on this farm. In 1802 his widow removed to Greene County, Ohio, with her son, with whom she made her home, afterward removing to Randolph County, Indiana, where she died some six years later. John Hale, the father of our subject was married in Kentucky to Sarrah BOWEN, a native of Pennsylvania, of Welsh ancestry. She died January 2, 1813. They had three sons-James Hale, of Randolph County, Indiana, born about the year 1799, died in 1882; Bowen Hale, the subject of our sketch, and Silas Hale, of Greene County, Ohio, born in the year 1803; he still lives near and owns the old homestead in that county. John Hale removed to Greene County, Ohio, in the year 1802, where he followed farming and tanning until the year 1837; he then removed to Whitley County, Indiana, where he entered 1,120 acres of land from the Government in Whitley and Kosciusko counties, and built a saw and grist-mill, the first in that section of the country. In 1812 he joined a rifle company as a volunteer soldier, and served in Northern Ohio for one year. He died in Whitley County, Indiana, on his farm, at the age of seventy-three years. Bowen Hale, the subject of our sketch, was only one year old when his father removed to Greene County, Ohio…

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. 651.

Pioneer Benedict and Merchant
Few of the older generation of Wells County pioneers retained the confidence and affection of all classes as long or as firmly as Bowen Hale. He was a Kentuckian, born in Mason County, July 4, 1801. His grandfather was an Englishman and a slaveholder, who freed his chattels after they had cleared his Maryland plantation and partially transformed the tract into a family homestead. John Hale, his father, was born in that state, but moved to Ohio while Bowen was an infant, served in the War of 1912 [1812] from that state, and in 1837 located in Whitley County, Indiana, where he died at the age of seventy-three. The youth of Bowen Hale was passed on his father's farm in Greene County, Ohio, near the old town of Bellbrook. He assisted his father both in his tannery and on his farm. In that neighborhood, also he attended school in a backwoods cabin and even taught a few months himself. His mother having died when he was quite young the boy remained with his father until he reached his majority, when he left home and learned the chair-making business, which he followed for several years, working in Dayton, Xenia and Cincinnati. During this period he took a trip South, going down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers in a steamboat. In the state of Mississippi he followed house-painting, having become skilled in that trade while painting chairs in the shop.

Starts Trading Post Near Murray
After his return from this trip Mr. Hale engaged in the mercantile business in Bellbrook, Ohio, until 1834, when he sold his interest in the store, and came to Wells County in 1835, his physician having advised him to go West for his health, telling him that unless he do so he could not hope to live very long. Consequently, he started into the woods to seek a home. He came down the Wabash River, and being charmed with the fertile lands along the Wabash, he stopped near the Town of Murray and resolved to make this his home. His father three years later passed by these lands and settled on the higher and more broken lands in Whitley County. Here Mr. Hale entered forty acres of land, hired a man to build him a cabin, and started to Cincinnati for a stock of goods, having resolved to start a post to trade with the Indians and the few white inhabitants in the county, there being only about twelve white families within the limits of Wells. On his return, in the spring of 1836, he found that his cabin had not been built; but he went to work, and with the assistance of Henry Miller and others, soon had a comfortable cabin, suitable for store-room and living-room. His customers were mostly Indians, who were peaceable, yet like most men, red or white, were dangerous when filled with firewater. His stock of goods consisting of brass rings, whiskey and such articles of clothing as the Indians usually wore, were converted into pelts, there being but little money in the country. These pelts were conveyed usually on Henry Miller's wagon to Dayton, Ohio, or Cincinnati, and there sold. As a matter of course, he left nothing behind in his cabin, as the Indians ransacked that as soon as he was gone. The trip to Dayton and Cincinnati usually took about three weeks or longer.

Not a Mighty Hunter
Although Mr. Hale had made his home in this wild country, and in common with all that hardy race of pioneers, the first settlers of Wells county, had many narrow escapes from wild animals and wild men, yet he was strictly a man of peace, and never was a hunter, and tells with considerable satisfaction that he never killed but one deer in his life, and that he stood in the door of his cabin and shot. Seeing the deer quietly grazing in front of his door, an Indian who was present picked up his gun to shoot it, when Mr. Hale asked him to let him shoot, and he took his gun and shot, killing the deer. He often said he had all the hunting he wanted in keeping the turkeys, squirrels and other animals out of his corn fields. Mr. Hale was first married in 1837 to Miss Sarah JAMES, a native of Virginia, who died in two years and three months after her marriage without children. His was the first marriage of a resident of Wells County. At the time there was no justice of the peace accessible and he therefore took his bride to Fort Wayne to have the knot legally tied. In the year 1840 he married Miss Mary Ann DEAM, of Montgomery County, Ohio, a daughter of Adam Deam, probably from Virginia, who afterward removed to Wells County and settled near Murray to build the first grist mill at that place. Adam Deam had four sons-Abraham, William, John and James P. each served as treasurer of Wells county; and four daughters, Rachel, Mary Ann, Harriet and Ann. Mrs. Hale died in the year 1872, leaving Mr. Hale again a widower. They had eight children, seven of whom survive-John D., clerk of Adams County; Hon. Silas W., of Geneva, Adams County; James P., of Bluffton, deceased; Lewis B., deceased, residing on the old homestead; Emerillas, wife of A. R. VANEMON; Jane, the wife of Daniel MARKLEY, and Mary, living at home with her father. At the organization of Wells County in 1837, Bowen Hale was elected to the office of auditor, clerk and recorder, or rather these three offices were then combined in one. He continued to hold these three offices until 1841, when an auditor was elected and he was relieved of the duties of that office. Ten years later Wilson M. BULGER was elected recorder, leaving Mr. Hale with the office of clerk, which he continued to hold until 1855, making a total of twenty years in the clerk's office alone, his time having expired by the limit of the constitution, and although urged to accept it again he declined to do so. He also for a short time during this period held the office of postmaster, he being the first postmaster in the county. In the year 1858 he was elected to the office of magistrate and filled the office for three years. Again in the year 1865, he was elected, against his wishes to the office of county commissioner. Being indisposed at the time, he was not even aware that he was a candidate until the date of his election. Thus is his history the history of Wells County; coming into public life before the organization of the county, for twenty-six years he was a servant of the people of Wells County, and her interest was his interest, and to say that he did his work well is wholly unnecessary. The people have said as much by their ballots. Never were the affairs of any county better or more honestly administered. His records are neat, legible, perfectly formed, accurate and complete and excite the admiration of the most skilled attorneys.

A Bluffton Merchant
When he removed from his farm near Murray Mr. Bowen brought his dry goods store with him and continued in that business for a short time, his store being a log cabin on Market Street, the town being then in the woods with heavy timber and thick underbrush in all the streets. Hon. John Studabaker became his rival in business, his store being also on Market Street, and they cleared the brush out of the street so that they might be able to see from their boarding-house a square away, to their respective places of business.

Lost a Good Lawyer But Poor Speller
Mr. Hale tells, among many instances of his early pioneer life, of a young limb of the law who landed in Bluffton with the avowed intention of practicing his chosen profession. He sought Mr. Hale and asked permission to make the clerk's office his law office for a short time, which request was granted and the young lawyer sat down to work. Concluding it would be well to advertise his business, he wrote his card on a sheet of paper and posted the same on a tree standing at the crossing of Main and Market streets. When Mr. Hale went to supper he walked up and read it, and after the young lawyer's name, in large letters, were the words "Eterney at Law." Mr. Hale informed the young man of his mistake, who immediately tore down the advertisement and left town; he located in an adjoining county, and now bears the honorable title of "Judge." Thus, by a mistake in spelling the town lost a lawyer, judge and citizen. Mr. Hale was always a democrat, his first vote for president being cast for Andrew Jackson. he never was, however much of a politician, according to the usual application of that term, and never electioneered for himself; it is said that he once started out for that purpose, but was so disgusted with the business that after going a few miles in the country he turned his horse toward home and never tried it again. When the Civil war broke out, two of Mr. Hale's sons enlisted, and at the Battle of Missionary Ridge John D. was shot through the body, and lay in the hospital at Chatanooga, Tennessee. Mr. Hale, even then an old man, went to Chattanooga and brought him home. In 1858 Mr. Hale retired with his family to his farm, where he passed his last years at a venerable age. In his earlier life he became a member of the Universalist Church, and was for many years a trustee of that church at Bluffton, and was to the end a believer in the doctrines as taught by BALLOU, CHAPIN and others. He also joined the Masonic Lodge at Bluffton, was for many years a member of Bluffton Lodge, No 145, and to the last, maintained the high standard of their tenets.

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. 292.
Contributed by Colleen Rutledge

JAMES P. HALE, the present efficient mayor of Bluffton, and a public-spirited and enterprising citizen of Wells County, was born in Bluffton, Wells County, Indiana, April 15, 1846. When about twelve years of age he removed with his parents from Bluffton to the farm which is still occupied by his father, Bowen Hale. Here our subject was reared, working on the farm in the summer and attending the district school in the winter, until he was twenty-two years of age. During this time he taught one term of school of four months and also for a short time attended a private school taught by Prof. John S. McCleery. In 1868 he entered the State University at Bloomington, Indiana, where he took an active part in the literary and scientific societies, became a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, and filled all the positions of honor that the students usually have to bestow on each other. He graduated from that institution in the scientific course a Bachelor of Science in 1872. In the spring of 1872, before leaving college, he was nominated by the Democratic party of his native county for the office of county surveyor, and was elected to that position the following October, but his term of office did not begin until the following June, 1873. During the winter of 1872 -'73 he again taught four months of school. In February, 1873, F. H. Rhodes resigned the office of surveyor, and Mr. Hale was appointed and assumed the duties of the office at once. In 1874 he was again nominated by his party as surveyor, but owing to the position which he then took on the temperance question his name was withdrawn from the regular ticket, and although he received a large vote he was not elected. At the expiration of his term as surveyor he entered the law office of Todd & Rinehart, and was shortly afterward admitted to the bar, and has since that time practiced his chosen profession, generally alone, but for a short time was in partnership with W. J. Hilligass. He served as deputy prosecuting attorney from 1876 to 1880. In October, 1884, he was elected mayor of Bluffton, to fill an unexpired term, caused by the resignation of H. L. Martin, and the following spring he was elected to the same office for a term of two years, and in May, 1887, was re-elected, and is now serving in that capacity. In his political affiliations he is a staunch Democrat.

June 10, 1880, Mr. Hale was married to Miss Delia Wilson, daughter of Oscar F. and Catherine B. Wilson, formerly of Zanesville, Allen County, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson moved from Coshocton County, Ohio, to Indiana, soon after their marriage, in about the year 1855. Mrs. Wilson's maiden name was Foster, and she was related to the Fosters of Coshocton County, Ohio, a numerous and highly respected family. Mr. Wilson and wife were numbered among the early settlers of Allen County, Indiana. He engaged in the mercantile business at Zanesville, Delphi, and at Bluffton, Indiana. Mrs. Wilson died at her home in Bluffton in September, 1883, and Mr. Wilson at the residence of Mr. Hale in 1886, leaving two children-Delia W., the wife of the subject of our sketch, and George M., now residing with Mr. Hale. In 1875 Mr. Hale united with the Methodist Episcopal church, and is still a member of the same. He was made a Mason in 1874, and takes an active interest in the Masonic fraternity, and is also a member of Bluffton Chapter, No. 95, and was for two years high priest of that chapter and received the degree of the order of the high priesthood in 1876 at Indianapolis. Mr. Hale, like his father, is genial and unassuming in his manner, and highly respected by the people of Wells County.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 800-803.

As Mr. Hale is one of the advisory editors for Adams County in this publication, his career is a subject of general interest to all the readers. But aside from this, the achievements of a long and worthy life deserve such description and record as a work of this kind alone can afford.

Mr. Hale was born at Bluffton in Wells county, Indiana, September 18, 1844, son of Bowen and Mary Ann (Deam) Hale. His father, Bowen Hale, was born in Kentucky in 1801, but from early youth was reared in Greene County, Ohio. His early environment was that of a farm, but he also learned the trade of chair maker and painter. During the '20s he worked at these trades along the Mississippi River and in a number of the old towns in that section of the country. He finally came to Indiana and engaged in merchandising at Fort Wayne and from there moved to Wells County. He was one of the pioneers of Wells County, was here at the time of organization, and became one of the prominent citizens and officials of Bluffton. He was postmaster, clerk of the County Court after its organization, and was always keenly interested in public affairs. He lived at Bluffton until his death in 1887. His wife, Mary A. Deam, was a native of Ohio. Bowen Hale was a democrat and a member of the Masonic fraternity. His children were: John D., former clerk of the County Court of Adams County; Silas W.; James P., who became a prominent lawyer at Bluffton, Emma, who married Andrew Van Emmon; Jane, who married Daniel Markley; Mary; and Bowen.

Silas W. Hale is today one of the oldest surviving native sons of Bluffton. He grew up there, attended some of the early schools, graduating from high school. At the age of eighteen during 1862-63 he taught in a country district. In December, 1864, Mr. Hale enlisted in the army and was made sergeant in Company E of the 153rd Indiana Infantry. Later he was transferred to the quartermaster's department and served with the Army of the Tennessee during the final months of the great war. He was discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, in September, 1865.

After the war Mr. Hale was employed in the store of A. Deam & Company at Bluffton, as a clerk, and remained there until 1869, when he joined his brother John D. Hale at Bluffton in the grain and produce trade under the firm name of J. D. Hale & Brother. In 1871 they transferred their business to Geneva in Adams County. The partnership was continued until 1878. In the meantime from 1873 to 1878 Silas Hale was also telegraph operator for the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railway at Geneva, and during 1876-77 was also station agent for that road.

Upon the dissolution of the partnership in 1878 Silas Hale moved to Portland, Indiana, and engaged in the same line of business there. In 1883 John D. Hale was elected to the office of county clerk of Adams County. His brother then sold his business interests at Portland and returned to Geneva to take charge of the prosperous establishment in that place, and continued it with growing success and energy until he finally retired in 1902. Mr. Hale still makes his home in Geneva.

For a long period of years Mr. Hale's name has been associated with offices of trust and responsibility in this part of the state. One of his earliest positions at Geneva was as member of the School Board from 1883 to 1886, and altogether he put in eighteen years on the board of education and has exercised every influence in his power to promote the welfare of the local schools. In 1886 he was elected to represent Adams, Jay and Blackford counties in the senate and was a member of that body during 1887 and 1889. During the session of 1889 he was chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs, and his study and careful planning brought about the military laws under which Indiana has conducted its state military organization since that date.

In 1891 Mr. Hale was elected by the Legislature a member of the Board of Trustees of the Eastern Indiana Hospital for the Insane, and was on that board twelve years, all of the time its treasurer. He spent much of his time in looking after the material welfare and upkeep of the institutions under the board and was also a close student of the many subjects connected with the administration of insane hospitals. By virtue of his office he also was a member of the National Conference of Charities which met in various cities of the United States. At the close of his long service of twelve years as a member of the Board of Trustees and upon his retirement the Board of State Charities passed a very complimentary resolution giving him credit for painstaking, careful and conscientious service in every relationship with the board. After retiring from this board he was appointed one of the trustees to establish and organize the epileptic village near Newcastle. That great institution owes much to him for its foundation and he was a member of its Board of Trustees four years.

Mr. Hale has found many interests to give him useful occupation even in his later years. He has been an officer of the Bank of Geneva. He has rounded out more than half a century of membership in the Masonic order. He was first made a Mason in Bluffton Lodge in 1867. In 1878 he transferred his membership to Portland and was master of Portland Lodge in 1882 for one year. On returning to Geneva he became a charter member of Geneva Lodge No. 621 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and has been one of its most regular attendants. He is also a member of the Lodge of Perfection and the Scottish Rite Valley of Fort Wayne and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias of Geneva. Mr. Hale was reared as a Presbyterian, but in 1884 took his letter from that church at Portland and placed it with the Methodist Church at Geneva.

In 1869 Mr. Hale married Miss Phebe C. McFadden, a native of Ohio and daughter of John and Catherine (Daugherty) McFadden, who settled on a farm in Wells County, Indiana, in 1852. John McFadden was for a period of eight years county auditor of Wells County. Mrs. Hale, who died August 17, 1906, was the mother of the following children: William, married Nellie Clawson, and has three children, Helen, Mary and William; Frank, married Daisey Mason and has one daughter, Mrs. Ed Lemike of Fort Wayne; Stella and Winnie are deceased, Clara, married J. A. Anderson, now deceased, has two children, Catherine and Joseph; and Fred, married Anna Schaffer and has two children, Cornelius and James.

Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties Indiana. John W Tyndall for Adams Co and O. E. Lesh for Wells County. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1918, pp. 460-462.
Contributed by Nola Rains

ADNAH HALL, one of the earliest and most prominent settlers of Wells County, was born in Wallingford, Connecticut, December 13, 1809. His early life was spent in the Eastern and Southern States, being for several years in the employ of an Eastern clock manufactory. July 27, 1836, he married Miss Abigail Blatchley, moved the same year to Ohio, and in May, 1837, to Wells County, where he passed the remainder of his life, he was the first treasurer of this county, and continued in that office twelve years. Discharging the duties of that position in pioneer times, he made his return to Indianapolis on horseback, having often to swim the streams, and generally requiring a week or ten days to make the trip. His oxen were sometimes employed by the neighbors in taking their grists through woods and marshes all the way to Greenville, Ohio, a distance of about fifty miles, to be ground. That was then the nearest mill to this county. The same oxen drew the logs for the building on the site of Bluffton--the tavern kept by Almon Case. Mr. Hall was generally occupied upon his farm, and was for a time engaged in mercantile pursuits. He was a social, genial man, and in almost any company he was the "noblest Roman of them all." He died February 28, 1872, leaving a wife and two children. The widow still survives, residing in Bluffton, a venerable landmark of early days, and now in her seventy-eighth year. The children are Rena, the wife of John Bayha, a real estate broker in Kansas City, Missouri, and Adnah, a resident of Bluffton.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 738-739.

George A. Harnish, son of Jacob Harnish, deceased, and Susan (Miller) Harnish, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in the year ----. He is a resident of Harrison township. His wife, Laura, daughter of David and Rachel (Miller) Myers, was born in Wells County, Indiana, in the year 1857, and was married at Bluffton in 1871. Jennie, born October 12, 1872, is the addition to the home of George A. and Laura Harnish. The business in which Mr. Harnish is engaged is that of photographing. His rooms are located on Main street, opposite Curry's Block, Bluffton, Indiana. 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.

GEORGE A. HARNISH, photographer, Bluffton, Indiana, was born in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, September 27, 1847, a son of Jacob and Susan (Miller) Harnish, natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent. He lived on his father's farm until nineteen years of age, when he went to Myerstown and began to learn the art of photography. In the spring of 1867 he accompanied his parents West and located in Bluffton, where he has since lived. He was married in 1871 to Miss Laura Myers, a native of Wells County, born April 13, 1850, a daughter of David and Rachel (Miller) Myers, natives of Ohio, but early settlers of Wells County, locating here in 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Harnish have one daughter—Jennie, born October 12, 1872. They are members of the German Reformed church, of which he is an elder. Mr. Harnish is a member of Bluffton Lodge, No. 145, A. F. & A. M. He was one of the councilmen of Bluffton elected in 1881, and served a term of two years.

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

GEORGE E. HARROLD, an enterprising farmer of Chester Township, was born in Forsyth County, North Carolina, March 31, 1837, a son of Ithamer and Ruth (Clampitt) Harrold. His parents were born, reared and married in the State of North Carolina, remaining in that State until 1852, when they started with the family by team for Indiana, and after a journey of six weeks arrived in Wells County, where they settled in Jackson Township. The father lived in Wells County until his death, which occurred June 29, 1882. His widow still survives, and is making her home with her son, Dr. John R. Harrold, in Blackford County.

George E. Harrold, our subject, was fifteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to Wells County, and with the exception of about four years has since been a resident of the county. He was united in marriage November 6, 1858, to Miss Sallie Minnich, a native of Clarke County, Ohio, and a daughter of Jacob and Christina (Ebersole) Minnich. Her parents removed from Ohio to Indiana in 1842, being among the early settlers of the county, where the mother died about 1858. The father is still living in Jackson Township. Of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Harrold three are living- Isaac R., in Blackford County; Alfred R. and James R. Belle and two infants unnamed are deceased. Mrs. Harrold died February 13, 1870, and November 5, 1870, Mr. Harrold married Miss Mary M. Minnich, who was also born in Wabash County, Indiana. To this union have been born eleven children, of whom six are living- Rosetta, Charly, Oscar, Eva, Della and Ida. Those deceased are-Delmar, May, Arlow, Arlie and Lula.

In 1863 Mr. Harrold bought forty acres of land in Chester Township, and after clearing most of this tract, sold it in the spring of 1866 and went to Missouri. He returned to Wells County the same year and bought eighteen acres of land in Jackson Township, most of this land being cleared. Three years later he sold his land in Jackson Township, buying forty acres of his present farm, but for the three years following lived in Huntington County. When he bought his farm in Chester Township but little improvement had been made on the place, only fifteen acres having been cleared. His home farm now contains sixty acres, all but five acres cleared, the result of his own labors. In politics Mr. Harrold is a Republican, having voted that ticket since the organization of that party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Warren Lodge, No. 246, A. F. & A. M.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 857.

WILLIAM HARPER, deceased, an old pioneer of Nottingham Township, was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, in 1804. He passed his childhood and youth in his native State, and when a young man went to Warren County, Ohio, where he married Elizabeth Ann Jennings, a native of New Jersey, born in 1808, her parents being pioneers of Warren County. In 1846 Mr. Harper moved to Indiana and settled in Nottingham Township, Wells County, where he died January 11, 1885. His widow is now living in Hastings, Nebraska, with a daughter. They had a family of thirteen children, ten of whom grew to maturity. When Mr. Harper settled in Wells County the country was heavily timbered and game was plenty. He entered a half section of land at $1.25 an acre, which he cleared and improved, and and at his death it was one of the most valuable farms in the township.

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

GEORGE HARTER, farmer, was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, January 9, 1835, son of Michael and Mary (Slone) Harter, the former a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and who immigrated to America in 1828. He was married in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, which was the home of Mary Slone. Six children were born to this union--Ann, George, Margaret, Sarah, Andrew and Thomas Slone. The family settled in Jefferson Township, Wells County, Indiana, in October, 1852, locating on the farm now owned by John B. Ady. The parents lived upon this farm several years, and in 1876 removed to Ossian, living a retired life. Both reached a ripe old age, the father being eighty-two and the mother eighty-four. Their deaths occurred within a few months of each other. They had reared a family who were a credit to their ancestry, had a comfortable home and an ample income for their declining years. Both were zealous members of the Presbyterian church and were retiring in disposition, though firm in principle. Their sons were imbued with patriotism inherited from their Revolutionary sires on the mother's side, and all enlisted during the progress of the late war.

Our subject enlisted August 31, 1861, as a private in Company A, Thirty-fourth Indiana Infantry. March 1, 1862, he was promoted to Second Lieutenant, and one year later to First Lieutenant of his company. His regiment was engaged at the siege of New Madrid, battle of Champion Hills, siege of Vicksburg and Jackson, Mississippi, and many skirmishes. At the battle of Champion Hills Mr. Harter acted as aid to General McGinnis, and carried to General Grant the dispatch from General Hovey asking for reinforcements. This incident is alluded to by General Grant in his Memoirs (vol. 1, page 517). July 19, 1864, Lieutenant Harter was discharged from the service for disability. Andrew and Thomas shared the fate of thousands of brave men who fell on the battle-field. Andrew belonged to Company K, Seventy-fifth Indiana Infantry, and was shot dead September 19, 1863, while in line of duty at Chickamauga. Thomas, although a sickly lad, after his brother's death insisted on taking his place. Although urged by his friends to stay at home, on account of feeble health, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Indiana Infantry, for 100 days. He was unable to withstand the Southern climate, and died a few days before his term of service expired, at Tullahoma, Tennessee.

Our subject returned home, and in August, 1864, married Miss Martha, daughter of James and Rachel (Allen) Glass, of Jefferson Township. They commenced living on the farm, and Mr. Harter has followed that vocation ever since. He has also been an extensive breeder of stock. Previous to the war he was a teacher, and taught seven consecutive winters in this county. Dr. A. G. Gorrell and J. J. Todd, of Bluffton, Dr. C. V. Torrell, of New Haven, Hon. Joseph Ady, of Kansas, J. W. Wilson, of Fort Wayne, Dr. Frederick Glock, deceased, late of Adams County, Revs. Sherman McCorkle and Charles O. Robb, and other noted men of this and other counties were his pupils. He is a member of William Swaim Post, No. 169, G. A. R., and was a delegate from the Eleventh District to the Grand Encampment held at San Francisco August 3, 1886. For sixteen years Mr. Harter has served as one of the ruling elders of the Ossian Presbyterian Church, and teacher for a number of years of the adult Bible class. Mr. and Mrs. Harter have had six children, only two surviving--Mollie and Webner. The daughter is completing her musical education, and is quite an accomplished scholar. Mr. Harter is a self-made man in every respect, having commenced at the age of nineteen for himself as a farm laborer at 50 cents per day, and now, as a result of honest industry and wise economy, is in possession of a competence for present wants and future necessities

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 679-680.

JACOB R. HARVEY, son of the old pioneer, Robert Harvey, is a native of Indiana, born in Union County, April 27, 1830. His father was born near Knoxville, Tennessee, February 29, 1788, a son of Henderson and Martha (McConnell) Harvey. Henderson Harvey was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. In middle life, to be rid of slavery and its pernicious influences, he left Tennessee for Pennsylvania, and later moved to Ohio, and in 1811 removed to the then Territory of Indiana. He died at an advanced age in Union County, where he was esteemed as one of its most worthy pioneers. Robert Harvey, the father of our subject, although afflicted with partial blindness of his left eye, volunteered in the war of 1812 and served one year. He was married in 1818 to Elizabeth Richey, of Butler County, Ohio, at the home of her parents, returning to his home in Indiana the same year. Elizabeth Richey was born in New Jersey in 1794, a daughter of Jacob Richey. Seven children were born to them-William, who was a much respected citizen of Lancaster Township, is deceased; Mrs. Mary Rohr, living in Iowa; Mrs. Martha DeWitt, of Bluffton; Jacob R., whose name heads this sketch; Lorenzo D. was a member of Company G, One Hundred and First Indiana Infantry, during the late war, and died in the service at Munfordville, Kentucky; John lives in Huntington County, Indiana, and Rebecca, the fourth child, died in Union County, aged three years. The parents cleared a farm in the wilderness of Union County, where they made their home until 1832. In April of that year they removed with their family to Wells County, settling on section 18 of Lancaster Township, Robert Harvey being the fourth man to settle in what is now Wells County. The preceding winter he had become totally blind from inflammation of the eyes. He was the owner of three tracts of land in Lancaster Township, comprising about 300 acres, and possessed of personal property sufficient to give him a good start in those pioneer days. The troublesome times of 1832 (the year of the Black Hawk war) induced his brothers Samuel and John to come from Union County and move him back there. He left his stock and implements with a man named Joseph Knox, and returned with his brothers to Union County, where he spent the following winter. On returning to Wells County he found himself robbed of his stock and everything that was movable, and never recovered anything nor heard of his rascally neighbor again, but he again accumulated property and enjoyed a good home until his death, in 1853, his widow surviving him until July 12, 1877.

Jacob R. Harvey, the subject of this sketch, now holds the patent of the old home given to his father, which is dated September 2, 1831, and signed by President Andrew Jackson. He has lived on this homestead, established by his parents in 1832, ever since two years of age, with the exception of the time spent in the service of his country during the war of the Rebellion. His youth was spent in toil, assisting to fell and burn the forest, clearing his father's land. At eight years of age he began attending the log cabin subscription schools, with their split log seats, greased paper lights, and stick and clay chimney, where he received his education. September 20, 1855, he was married to Elizabeth Miller, daughter of Henry Miller, who settled just opposite the present site of Murray in November, 1832. Mrs. Harvey was born on the pioneer homestead of her father, on section 18, Lancaster Township, March 15, 1834, and was the first white child born in Wells County. To Mr. and Mrs. Harvey have been born five children-Henry, the first born, died aged three years; William occupies a farm near the homestead of his parents; Jacob lives on part of the homestead, and Robert and Charles are attending school. Mr. Harvey was a member of Company B, Fifty-third Indiana Infantry, from October, 1864, until the close of the war. His regiment was a part of the Seventeenth Army Corps, and after some service in Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee, joined Sherman's army at Goldsboro, North Carolina. In politics Mr. Harvey is an ardent Republican. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 806-807.

JAMES HARVEY, deceased, was one of Lancaster Township's pioneers, establishing his residence on section 19 in the autumn of 1833. He came with his family, following the Indian trails, and lived the following winter in a rude log cabin without door or windows, using blankets to keep out the cold blasts. In the spring they were able to plant a few vegetables, but for a time life was a struggle. Mr. Harvey was born near Knoxville, Tennessee, and is a brother of Robert Harvey, who settled on the present site of Murray in 1832. He was married in Union County, Ohio, to Miss Sarah Davis, who was born in Greene County, Tennessee, October 11, 1811, a daughter of George and Susan (Miller) Davis. Mr. Harvey died in 1842, after he had made a home and was beginning to enjoy the fruits of his labors. He left three children, all of whom are deceased. In 1851 Mrs. Harvey married David Aker, a native of Wythe County, West Virginia, and they have one son, William R. Mrs. Aker lives on the old Harvey homestead, and is the only one of the pioneers of 1833 left in Wells County, and to her we are indebted for many recollections of pioneer life.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 900-901.

HIRAM HATFIELD, a merchant at Ossian, was a grandson of Adam Hatfield, who emigrated from England to American when about twenty years of age, and first located in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, where he married Margaret Dillworth about 1772. His father was John Hatfield, also a native of England, who married Dorothy O'Neal. After her death he married Elizabeth Shippore, who died without children. To the first marriage were born Adam, Andrew, John and Sarah, all of whom came to America. John Hatfield, Sr., went to India and engaged in trading between those countries, and later he was a banker in India. It is supposed that a large estate was left to his relatives at his death. The children of Adam Hatfield, Sr., were Elizabeth, John, Mary, Benjamin, Sarah, Margaret, Robert, Nancy, Joseph and Adam. In 1795 Adam Hatfield, Sr., with his family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and his death occurred the next year. His wife and family then returned to Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and in 1815, with her sons, Robert, Joseph and Adam, removed to Wayne County, Ohio, settling near Wooster. In 1838 Adam Hatfield, Jr., with his wife, Martha Kirkpatrick, and their family, settled in Jefferson Township, three miles north of Murray, upon a tract of three quarter-sections of land which he had previously entered. A rude log cabin was erected, and during the winter a plat of ten acres was cleared for planting in the spring. Adam Hatfield was one of the early officials of the township, and served in several official positions. He was a man possessing great force of character, and although his education was limited, he wielded a power in this community which was recognized by all. As a politician he was an ardent Whig, with strong anti-slavery proclivities. Both himself and wife were members of the Presbyterian church before they came to the county, and they may properly be termed the parents of that faith in Wells County. The first Presbyterian religious services held in Wells County were held in the humble home of Adam and Mrs. Hatfield, Rev. Isaac A. Ogden, of the Miami, Ohio, Presbytery, officiating. The church was organized by a committee of that Presbytery, and Rev. John H. Russ was the first pastor. The death of Mrs. Martha Hatfield occurred in 1840. The remains were interred in the old Henry Miller cemetery, the first burying-ground in the northern party of the county. Later the remains were disinterred and deposited in the Murray cemetery. Adam Hatfield afterward married Mrs. Elizabeth Steward, a widow, with whom he passed the remainder of his days. He died in 1848, aged fifty-five years.

Hiram Hatfield, our subject, received his preliminary education at a private school taught by Miss Margaret Hatfield, in a log cabin that stood on the Hatfield farm. Her entire salary was 75 cents weekly for tuition, and she boarded around among the pupils. Miss Hatfield is yet living in Union Township with her brother John. Notwithstanding the difficulties of securing an education in an early day, Mr. Hatfield persevered until he was a good practical scholar. The woods were full of Indians, and deer furnished a large portion of the meat supply for the newcomer. Trapping and hunting was a necessity, as from the sale of furs and pelts the pioneers obtained cash to pay taxes and purchase the few necessary articles for making further improvements on their lands. In 1850 Mr. Hatfield was married to Miss Martha A. Egbert, who died in 1852. The following year he was married to Catherine K. Donaldson, daughter of Robert and Ann Donaldson, who resided near Murray. In April, 1852, Mr. Hatfield sold his farm and engaged in the mercantile business at Murray, continuing sixteen years in the same business at that village. In 1867 he purchased a stock of merchandise in Ossian, and has been continuously engaged in that business to the present date. His trade increased in such proportions that a suitable building became a necessity and in 1880 the large two-story brick, 38 x 100 feet, was erected and divided into six departments, in which everything in the mercantile line is handled, except drugs. Six clerks are employed regularly, and during the busy season other help is necessary. Mr. Hatfield has given liberal aid to the building up of the manufacturing interests of the village. Mr. and Mrs. Hatfield have five children - Anna M., Victor M., James C., E. Jennie and Robert A. The eldest son is a partner in the mercantile trade, the firm being known as Hatfield & Son. Victor M. is recognized as one of the brightest business men of the county. In 1861 Mr. Hatfield enlisted in Company G of the old "Twelfth" and was honorably discharged at the expiration of this term of service. His patriotism was unquestioned, as he locked up his store, which entailed a great loss in a financial way. He was elected ruling elder in the Presbyterian church at Murray, and he still holds that position. All the members of his family are members of that church, and the name throughout this and adjacent counties stands without a peer for integrity and stability of character. The G. A. R. Post meets in the second story of his building, to which order Mr. Hatfield belongs.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 668-669.

The subject of this sketch has attained an enviable position in the medical world, gaining distinguished repute which comes only through ability and skill, the legitimate reward of faithful and persistent effort. Progressive in the broadest sense of the term, he keeps abreast the times in all matters pertaining to his noble calling and his advanced methods and thorough understanding have brought him not only eminent professional success but liberal financial rewards as well. Dr. Isaac Newton Hatfield is a lineal descendant of John Hatfield, a noted banker and business man of England who figured prominently in the commercial and financial affairs of the East Indies about the middle of the eighteenth century. For particulars concerning the Hatfield genealogy the reader is respectfully referred to the sketch of James Clement Hatfield, in which the family history is given at some length. Adam Hatfield, son of the above John, came to America about the year 1772 and settled in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, subsequently moving to Cincinnati, Ohio, where his death occurred. Among his children was a son by the name of Joseph who as early as 1839 came to Wells county, Indiana, and located in Jefferson township where he cleared a farm and became a leading man of affairs. This was his home until his death, June 29, 1876, at the age of eighty-five years. He was twice married. By his first wife, Phebe Peppard, he had nine children: Margaret, Isaac, Elizabeth, Robert, Mary, Rebecca, John, David and Phoebe. By his second wife, Mary A. Marshall, he had two sons, Gilmore and Robison. The son John married Ann Harter and to this couple was born, on the 18th day of August, 1856, the subject of this biography.

Isaac Newton Hatfield first saw the light of day in what is now Union township and received his early training in close touch with nature on his father's farm. During the summer months his employments were such as are common to country boys and after the harvests were gathered and the work of the year done he attended the public school in the neighborhood. To these early years, under the tutelage of parents whose ambition was to engraft upon the minds of the children such principles as would insure honor and usefulness, the Doctor is largely indebted for that integrity of character and well defined purpose that have pre-eminently distinguished him in his life work. After finishing the common school course he entered the graded school of Bluffton where he pursued his studies with great assiduity, obtaining a knowledge of some of the higher branches of learning. Actuated by a laudable desire to add to his educational discipline, he subsequently became a student of the Northern Indiana Normal University of Valparaiso and after spending two years in that institution entered Hanover College where he prosecuted his intellectual work about the same length of time. By reason of ill health he was obliged to quit his studies before completing the prescribed course, after which he traveled quite extensively throughout the west with the object in view of recuperating his physical energies. In this way he not only satisfied his desire for seeing something of the vast extent of our country and learning of its wonderful resources, but added largely to his experience and increased those powers of mind which have since been often drawn upon in the requirements of the profession in which he has achieved such signal honors. While acquiring his literary education the Doctor taught two terms of school in his native county and had he seen fit to continue in that useful work he doubtless would have become distinguished as an educator. But there comes a time in every young man's life when the desire for a permanent calling rises superior to every other consideration and to this the subject was no exception. Having selected medicine as the profession best suited to his taste, he at once addressed himself to a preparatory course of discipline, after which, in 1881, he entered the medical department of the Iowa University, at Iowa City. He prosecuted his studies and investigations in that institution until completing the course in 1884, meantime during the summer of the previous years doing special work in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Chicago. Immediately after graduating, Dr. Hatfield began the practice of his profession at Osakee, Jefferson county, Kansas, but after a residence of two and a half years at that place he was led to seek another location on account of his health, which had broken down under the unfavorable influence of the climate and stress of professional duty. In 1887 he returned to his native county and opened an office at Bluffton, where he has since remained, meantime building up the large and lucrative practice which he now commands.

Dr. Hatfield brought to his calling a mind well trained by severe intellectual and professional discipline and with an ambition to excel has steadily advanced until he is now easily the peer of any man in a city noted for the high order of its medical talent. He has ever been a student and so absorbing is his industry that he knows not what it is to eat the bread of idleness. In him are combined the essential qualities and characteristics of the ideal family physician, the kindly presence, the gentle touch, the courteous demeanor, which at once enlists the sympathy both of patient and friends and without which the most skillful treatment ofttimes proves unavailing. Equally proficient in medicine and surgery, his success in many critical cases and delicate operations early brought him prominently to the notice of the public and now in addition to his home practice, which includes a wide range, he is frequently called to distant places to treat diseases which baffle the skill of the ordinary physician. In order the more thoroughly to acquaint himself in the latest discoveries in medicinal science and to become familiar with the most approved methods of modern practice, Dr. Hatfield, in the year 1892-3, took a post-graduate course in the Polyclinic College, Chicago, where, under the direction of some of the most distinguished professors of the land, he fitted himself for still greater usefulness as a healer of humanity. While in Kansas he was a member of the medical association of that state and since locating at Bluffton he has been identified with the Wells County Medical Society and the Medical Society of Indiana, having served as president of the former.

While a student in the Iowa University Dr. Hatfield became acquainted with a young lady of culture and refinement by the name of Cora B. Watson, between whom and himself a warm attachment soon sprang up, which, ripening into love, eventually led to marriage. The ceremony which made the two husband and wife was solemnized on the 4th day of June, 1884, and the union has been blessed with one child, a daughter, Miss Nina, whose birth occurred September 10, 1887. Mrs. Hatfield was born at West Liberty, Iowa, and is the daughter of Albert Watson, an enterprising and successful farmer of that state.

While interested in all movements for the public good and taking a pardonable pride in the growth and welfare of Bluffton and Wells county, the Doctor has little time to devote to affairs outside his own profession. He is an exceedingly busy man, consequently has entertained no ambition for political distinction nor has he ever been an aspirant for office of any kind. In politics he is a Republican, but beyond voting for his party nominees he has little to do with the distraction of partisan strife. As stated in a preceding paragraph, the Doctor's financial success has been commensurate with his professional advancement and he is now in independent circumstances. He has a comfortable and attractive home on West Cherry street, where, after the busy cares of the day are over, he finds in an almost ideal domestic circle that rest and recreation which only a busy, energetic man of his mental and social character knows so well how to appreciate and enjoy. In addition to the members of his immediate household Dr. Hatfield has opened his home to his wife's nephew, an orphan boy, whom he is rearing and educating with the same attention he would bestow upon a child of his own. Religiously the Doctor and family are Presbyterians; socially they are favorites in the best society circles of the city. The foregoing is but a feeble attempt to outline the career of this intelligent, broad minded and pre-eminently honorable man. Belonging to one of the oldest, best known and most respectable families of Wells county, his course in life has been such as to add to its honorable reputation and doubtless he will leave to his descendants the same spotless name for which his ancestors were distinguished. He is now in the prime of manhood, physically and intellectually, with many years of usefulness yet before him, and it is a compliment worthily bestowed to state that there are few who can compete with him in all that goes to make up the polished, courteous and praiseworthy gentlemen.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, p. 138-140.
Transcribed by K L Watson

VICTOR MURRAY HATFIELD, merchant, Ossian, Indiana, is a representative of an honored pioneer family in Wells county, a family that has had much to do in every way with the development of the industrial, educational and religious growth of the section of country in which they have lived and operated. The value of the work preformed (sic) by those heroic pioneers, and the realization of their toils, dangers and self-sacrifices is not generally understood or appreciated long after they have passed away. Those of Indiana's sons and daughters of to-day who are living in affluence in the homes established by pioneer parents and grandparents sixty years ago, do not, neither can they, realize all, or even in part, the hardships they bore, the trials they endured and the dangers they incurred. They led the way, blazing with their axes a trail through an almost impenetrable forest that others who followed could more easily find the way. To feel gratitude for and to honor the pioneer is no less a duty than for the heroes of the Revolutionary war, for the former made it possible for States, empires in themselves, with increasing millions of population to enjoy the principles of liberty and government which the latter struggled for years to found.

Hiram Hatfield, with whom this sketch has particularly to do, was a grandson of Adam Hatfield, a native of England and founder of this family in America, who came to this country and settled in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, previous to the opening of hostilities between the Colonies and the mother country that led to our independence. In the above county, in 1772, he was united in marriage with Margaret Dilworth

John Hatfield, father of Adam, was also a native of England. He was twice married, his first wife, Dorotha O'Neal, bearing him the following children: Adam, Andrew, John and Sarah, all of whom came to America. The second wife of John Hatfield, Sr., Elizabeth Shippore, died without issue. This John Hatfield went to India, where he engaged in trade and banking, in time becoming immensely wealthy, and it is supposed his large estate was left to his relatives at his death, but was never administered on to his direct lawful heirs.

The children of Adam Hatfield, founder of the family in America, were: Elizabeth, John, Mary, Benjamin, Sarah, Margaret, Robert, Nancy, Joseph and Adam. In 1795 Adam Hatfield with his large family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he died the following year. The family then returned to Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and in 1815 Mrs. Hatfield, with her sons, Robert, Joseph and Adam, removed to Wayne county, Ohio, settling near Wooster. In 1838 Adam Hatfield, Jr., and family settled in Jefferson township, three miles north of Murray, on a tract of land containing 480 acres, which he had previously entered. Here he entered into preparations for settlement; a rude log cabin was erected, a small clearing was made and thus was life begun.

Adam Hatfield was more or less prominent in affairs all his life. He was one of the first officials of Jefferson township. Although of limited education, he was a gentleman of great usefulness, possessed great force of character, and was a recognized leader in the community, doing much to mold and direct the Christian and moral sentiments of the people. In political complexion he was a Whig and bitterly opposed to slavery. A Presbyterian in religious belief, he and his good wife may properly be termed the parents of that faith in Wells county. In their humble home was held the first religious services of that faith in the county, Rev. Isaac A. Ogden of the Miami (Ohio) Presbytery officiating. The first church was organized by a committee of the Presbytery, and Rev. John H. Russ was the first pastor. In 1840 occurred the death of Mrs. Adam Hatfield, whose maiden name was Martha Kirkpatrick. She was a woman of great force of character, well fitted by nature to bear the lot of a pioneer husband. Her remains no\v lie in the Murray cemetery, having been removed from the old Henry Miller cemetery, where they were first interred. Mr. Hatfield afterward married Mrs. Elizabeth Steward, with whom he passed the remainder of his days. He died in 1848, aged fifty-five years.

Hiram Hatfield, father of Victor Murray, passed the years of his boyhood amid the pioneer scenes of early Indiana. His advantages for obtaining an education were decidedly limited, being confined to a private school taught by Miss Margaret Hatfield in a log cabin that stood on the Hatfield farm. Miss Hatfield, from tuitions, received a salary of seventy-five cents a week and boarded around among her pupils. Notwithstanding disadvantages Mr. Hatfield in time became a practical scholar. In 1850 he was married to Miss Martha A. Egbert, who passed to the better world after two years of happy wedded life. In 1853 Mr. Hatfield was again married, Miss Catherine K., daughter of Robert and Ann Donaldson, becoming his wife. In 1852 Mr. Hatfield sold his farm and engaged in the mercantile business at Murray, which he successfully carried on for sixteen years. In 1867 he purchased a stock in Ossian, where he built up an immense trade, necessitating the building, in 1880, of a large two-story brick structure to accommodate his business, which later assumed proportions easily making it the largest mercantile establishment in the county.

Mr. Hatfield's life had always been an exemplary one. He was honest to the core, and kind and obliging to a fault. His obligations he successfully took care of in all ordinary times, but when the cyclone of disaster swept the country in 1893, it became impossible for him to realize on his securities and outstanding accounts, and he was engulfed with the tide. This could not be other than a heavy blow to a man of his temperament and fine sense of honor. No possible blame could be attached to him, and none was, but the wreck of his fortune, which he had been a life-time in getting together, was more than his sensitive nature could stand, and he succumbed to the shock, lingering until November 30, 1893, when he peacefully passed to that sleep which only has an awakening on the eternal shores of a better world. To him and his devoted wife were born five children: Anna M., Victor M., James C. E., Jennie and Robert A.

In 1861 Mr. Hatfield responded to the call of the President for men to preserve the Union, and enlisted in the Twelfth Indiana, and was honorably discharged at the expiration of his term of service. To do so required the sacrifice at his hands of closing his store, but that counted as nothing to his patriotic, loyal soul, and he would willingly have sacrificed all, even life, for the good of his country. He was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church, of which for many years he was a Ruling Elder. Soundly orthodox in his beliefs, he gave liberally of his means for the support of the gospel, and was the champion of every good cause that had as an object the elevation of men to a higher standard of moral and Christian living. He has left the heritage of a good name to his descendants, a name untarnished by even a suspicion of bad intent or wrong doing; a name that will long live throughout Wells and adjoining counties without a peer for unvarying integrity and stability of character.

Victor M. Hatfield, the worthy representative of a worthy sire, was born at Murray February 24, 1859. Until he had attained the age of fifteen years he attended the common schools and laid well the foundation of a higher education, which he entered upon at Elder's Ridge Academy, at Elder's Ridge, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, where he studied one year. He then, in 1876, entered the Wooster University, taking a two-years course, and in 1878 returned to Ossian, his father giving him an interest in the merchandise business at that time carried on under the name of Hatfield & Glass, and later the interest of Mr. Glass was purchased, and the firm became Hatfield & Son. The failure of 1893 very little disconcerted Mr. Hatfield, the junior member of the firm. He possessed the material that made him equal to the emergency. With his hand at the helm he soon guided affairs back into healthful normal conditions, and fully restored the house of "Hatfield & Son" to its old-time standing. His two brothers, James C. and Robert A., are associated with him, and have been ever since the reconstruction of the business. They are both young men possessed of a vast amount of energy and business ability, and have rendered valuable aid in placing affairs in the present prosperous condition. Mr. Hatfield is a Republican in political preferment, and is an active worker in the interest of his party; and is a member of Ossian Lodge, No. 149, A. F. & A. M.

His marriage to Miss Stella, the cultured daughter of Paul T. and Rosanna (Ehret) King, was solemnized June 17, 1880. Three children were born of this union: Adelaide, born June 15, 1882; Anna Claire, born September. 26, 1885; and Vere, born July 1, 1888. Mr. Hatfield was called upon to mourn the death of his beloved wife, the sad event occurring February 2, 1895. She was a woman of rare attainments in culture of mind and grace of person, being greatly beloved by all who knew her. The refined elegance of her beautiful life left an influence for good that will not soon be forgotten. Her life carried sunshine with it, and her pleasing personality diffused gladness wherever she went. She was a Christian -- a devout follower of the lowly Nazarene, whose standards of righteousness were her standards, and to which she attained as nearly as is possible in this life. She was president of the local branch of the W. C. T. U., and always a leader in the missionary work of the Presbyterian Church, of which she was a member.

Memorial Record of Northeastern Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1896, pp. 217-220.

The present solid prosperity enjoyed in this country may be attributed largely to her pioneers. In the days of her maidenhood, when the only welcome tendered a stranger was a wilderness, those who settled here had little to encourage them and much to discourage them in their enormous undertaking. But the sturdy settlers came not only with the determination to succeed, but to succeed honestly, and worked persistently until, late in life, they became prosperous and honorable citizens of their locality.

Martin Heckley, who is one of Jefferson township's prominent and prosperous farmers, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, September 15, 1836. He was the son of Martin and Mary (Beck) Heckley, poor but respected German citizens. As a boy he attended the schools of Germany and, while his education was not polished, yet it was sufficient to enable him to make his way in the world without much diffficulty. When he was seventeen years old he was apprenticed as a ropemaker, at which trade he worked until he came to America, in 1855, at the age of nineteen.

He came directly to Jefferson township and for some time made his home with his uncle, Mathias Beck. At the time of his arrival in Wells county he was indebted to his uncle to the amount of seventy dollars, which had been sent him for the purpose of defraying the expense of his passage to America, and being of an energetic disposition he immediately went to work to repay this money. He worked fourteen months for his uncle in order to discharge his indebtedness and when freed from this load hired himself out to a farmer for a period of five years, receiving one hundred and twenty-five dollars per year as a remuneration. During that time he managed to save five hundred and twenty-five dollars and, after sending twenty-five dollars to his people in Germany, he bought eighty acres of woodland, his present homestead, which he proceeded at once to clear and improve.

In 1861 Mr. Heckley was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Moyer and took her immediately to the new home in the woods. This house was later remodeled and is the present home of the family. He is now the possessor of three hundred and sixty-five acres of as fine land as the county affords, it being divided into six farms estimated to be worth about twenty thousand dollars. In March, 1889, his first wife died and he was again married, September 16, 1891, to Mrs. Eugenia McDowell, who was born in Bluffton, Indiana, in April, 1858. His first wife bore him seven children; Malinda, wife of Dan Miller; Mary, wife of Jacob Shoe; John married Clara Kleineigh; Sam, the husband of Zoe Judd; Rosa, wife of Charles Isnogle; Martin, Jr., married to Agnes Hunt; and Frank, whose wife was Catherine Judd.

Mr. and Mrs. Heckley are both highly respected church members, he being a member of the Presbyterian faith, while the wife is enrolled with the United Brethren. They are active and enthusiastic church workers and are depended upon by their fellow workers in all church affairs. Mrs. Heckley is also a member of the Order of Eastern Star, in which institution she is quite prominent. Mr. Heckley has all his life voted the Democratic ticket. The Heckleys are well respected citizens of Wells county, where they have a host of acquaintances, and their influence, which has been felt by friends and strangers alike, can be said to be uplifting.

Mr. Heckley's home is pleasantly situated four and one-half miles east of Ossian and its doors are ever open in genial hospitality to rich and poor alike, Mr. Heckley never forgetting the days of his own struggles and privations when the kind words and welcome of others were highly appreciated.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, p. 493-495.

JAMES K. HEDGES, farmer and manufacturer of tile, Harrison Township, was born in that township, October 25, 1849, a son of Robert Hedges. His early life was spent on the farm and in attending the common schools. He remained with his parents until he attained his majority. He was married February 22, 1872, to Miss Eunice A. Neff, daughter of Levi and Rebecca (Goodspeed) Neff. Her father was a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, and a son of John Neff. He was married in Athens County in 1849, removed to this county and settled in Harrison Township, where he passed the remainder of his days. They were the parents of six children:—William W. (deceased), Eunice A., Charles E. (deceased), John N., Mary E. and Thankful C. (deceased). The mother died May 13, 1875, and the father October 29, 1884. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics he was a Republican. After his marriage, our subject remained upon his father's farm for about two years, then rented until he purchased his present farm on section 29, in 1880, consisting of thirty-six acres of improved land. In 1884 he engaged in the manufacture of tile, which proved a successful enterprise. Mr. and Mrs. Hedges are the parents of seven children: Charles F., Alice M., Robert L., Nathan C., James E., Arthur C. and Harry. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and politically he affiliates with the Democratic party.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 864.

ROBERT M. HEDGES, farmer and stockraiser, Harrison Township, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, October 31, 1817, son of Elijah and Polly (Backsley) Hedges, natives of West Virginia. The father was a son of Charles Hedges, and of English ancestry. The mother was of German ancestry. They settled in Fairfield County in an early day and were among the pioneers of that county. Our subject was reared on a farm and educated in the subscription schools that were held in the primitive log cabin. He remained with his parents until he reached his majority, and October 22, 1840, was married to Miss Sophia Kirkwood, a native of Pennsylvania. He followed farming in his native county until the fall of 1846, then came to Indiana and purchased eighty acres of land on section 35, Harrison Township. About fourteen acres were partially cleared. He lived on this land about six years, then sold and bought 114 acres of unimproved land on section 29, where he and three other men erected the first log cabin. He cleared and improved his new farm. He has given close attention to his business and has added to his first purchase until he now has 194 acres of well-cultivated and well-improved land. Mr. and Mrs. Hedges had thirteen children, eleven of whom are living-Mary J., Lucinda (deceased), Jonas T., Rebecca Ann, James, Elizabeth (deceased), William, Julia, Joseph, George, Lewis A., Samuel and John. Mrs. Hedges was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. She died August 27, 1870, and September 10, 1874, Mr. Hedges married Martha Willason, who died March 17, 1877. She was a member of the Presbyterian church. October 31, 1879, Mr. Hedges married Mrs. Elizabeth Kennel, formerly Elizabeth Kreps, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Wells County with her parents when a girl. They have one child--Clara A. Mr. and Mrs. Hedges are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he has always affiliated with the Democratic party.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 803-804.

JOHN C. HERRMANN, farmer and tile manufacturer, Nottingham Township, was born in the Kingdom of Saxony, now in the Empire of Germany, in the village of Erbersbach, June 23, 1826, son of John G. and Johanna Sophia (Meyer) Herrmann. His father was a weaver by trade, an occupation he followed during his life-time. John G. was reared in his native village, and in early life worked on farms; but after a few years gave up the farm to learn the stone mason's trade. After serving one year and a half; he and two schoolmates conceived the idea of coming to America to try their fortunes in the new world. Accordingly, in June, 1852, they bade farewell to friends and relatives, went to Bremen and took passage on the German two-masted ship Sophia, and after a voyage of two months they arrived at the Empire City. They were shipwrecked once during the voyage, and the pumps gave out, and for a whole mouth passengers and crew had to form bucket lines and bail the water out of the hold. They arrived at New York August 21, and his companions accompanied him as far as Dayton, Ohio, but left there the following spring for Illinois. Mr. Herrmann, however, remained at Dayton until 1860, working the first year on the State Insane Asylum. In the fall of 1860 be came to Wells County and settled upon 100 acres of land which he had purchased about two years before. This land was covered with a heavy growth of timber, and he was obliged to clear even the ground on which to erect his first log cabin, using the logs cut down in the construction of his abiding place. The cabin is still standing on the premises. In the summer of 1884 his sons-in-law, John Bears and John Marsh, commenced the manufacture of tile on Mr. Herrmann's land, and in the summer of 1886 Mr. Herrmann became a member of the firm in the place of Mr. Bears, and the firm is now Herrmann & Co. They have sale for all they can manufacture, and so far have sold it all in Nottingham Township.

September 22, 1860, Mr. Herrmann was married to Miss Mary Council, born in Greenville, near Baltimore, Maryland, and a daughter of Samuel and Tabitha Ann (Harwood) Council. The father died in Greene County, Ohio; her mother is living in Montgomery County that State. Mr. and Mrs. Herrmann are the parents of four children-Rose Alice, wife of John Bears; Johanna Sophia, wife of John Marsh; Ann and Jesse. In October, 1864, Mr. Herrmann entered the Union army as a member of Company K, Fifty-third Indiana Infantry, and served in the Seventeenth Army Corps, under General Schofield, in Sherman's army. He first went to Tennessee, thence to Dalton, Georgia, thence to Baltimore, where he took a ship for North Carolina. There he met the rebels near Kingston, and drove them back to the vicinity of Raleigh, where Johnston surrendered his army. He marched with Sherman through the Carolinas to Washington, and participated in the grand review of the victorious armies at the close of the civil war. From Washington he was sent to camp at Louisville, Kentucky, where he remained one month, and was then sent to Indianapolis, where he was discharged in August, 1865. He is a member of the Campbellite church, and his wife of the Christian church. Has been a Republican since coming to the county.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 668-669.

Among the good farms of Wells County one that deserves notice on account of its improvements and superior management and is also representative of the industry and effective work of a very capable citizen is that of Frank Hesher on Rural Route No. 2 out of Bluffton in Harrison Township.

Mr. Hester was born on a farm in Harrison Township April 25, 1882, and is a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Ratliff) Hesher. His parents are still living in Harrison Township, and his father was at one time superintendent of the Wells county Infirmary. Frank Hesher grew up on a farm in Harrison and Lancaster Townships and was educated in the common schools. At the age of nineteen he struck out for himself, working at month wages at the infirmary and with other farmers for about nine years.

On January 12, 1904, he married Miss Ida Biberstein. She was born in Harrison Township, daughter of Emanuel Biberstein, and acquired her education in the common schools. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hesher hired out their services to a farmer at monthly wages. The next year they improved their condition somewhat by renting a farm in the township, and after five years of industry and economy were able to acquire their present home of ninety-six acres six miles southeast of Bluffton near the old county infirmary. Thus all their prosperity is due to their united labors and good management, and today Mr. Hesher is regarded as one of the most successful men in the county in the handling of livestock. He is a breeder of the spotted Poland hogs, of Holstein cattle and Percheron horses. At a number of fairs and exhibitions his poultry has taken first premiums. Instead of shipping his stock to the market Mr. Hesher every year holds a sale when his livestock is eagerly picked up by other stock men.

Mr. and Mrs. Hesher have a family of four children named Edna, Glen, Mary and Nora. In politics he is a democrat, but has never held office and has been content to do his part as a citizen by supporting such movements as commend themselves to his confidence and judgment.

Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties Indiana. John W Tyndall for Adams Co and O. E. Lesh for Wells County. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1918, pp. 574-575.
Contributed by Nola Rains

For many years Wells County people have congratulated themselves that one of the county's most important institutions, the County Infirmary, has been under the management and direction of the Hesher family. The present superintendent of the infirmary is Mr. James Hesher, and he succeeded his father, Adam Hesher, in that place. During both administrations the county farm has been conducted in an economical manner, has practically been self sustaining, and at the same time the inmates have received the best of care and every appropriate provision for their comfort and welfare.

Mr. James Hesher was born on a farm in Lancaster Township half a mile north of Bluffton on the old Peter Studabaker farm July 10, 1884. His father, Adam Hesher, who is now living on a farm in Adamson Township, was born in Pike County, Ohio, June 21, 1855, a son of Frederick and Christina (Smith) Hesher. His parents were both natives of Germany, came to the United States when young, were married in Pike County, Ohio, and later removed to Fayette county in that state, where Frederick Hesher died. His widow subsequently came to Wells County, Indiana, and spent her last years. They were the parents of three sons; Fred Hesher, now in Illinois; Adam, and Abraham.

Adam Hesher was about seventeen years old when he came to Wells County, and found employment with the old pioneer Peter Studabaker. He worked faithfully for Mr. Studabaker thirteen years, and subsequently became manager of the old Studabaker farm. In April, 1877, he married Miss Elizabeth Ratliff, who was born in Ohio and was brought to Wells County, Indiana, when a girl. Adam Hesher was appointed superintendent of the Wells County Infirmary and entered upon the duties of that office in May, 1911, serving until March, 1914. His value as superintendent was greatly enhanced by the active co-operation of his very efficient wife. For eighteen years Adam Hesher served as gravel road superintendent for Wells County. He is a prominent democrat and a member of the American Mechanics Lodge. He and his wife had five children: David, who lives at Fort Wayne, Indiana; John, in the grocery business in Adams County; Frank, a farmer in Harrison Township; James, and Charles, a farmer in Harrison Township.

James Hesher grew up on a farm in Lancaster Township, and most of his education was acquired in the old Toll Gate schoolhouse. Schooling in winter and farming in summer made up his chief experiences until he was twenty-one, when he started out for himself and found employment at month wages on a farm. On February 19, 1906, he married Miss Jennie Lutz, who was born in Lancaster Township October 23, 1886, a daughter of Ephraim Lutz. Mrs. Hesher was educated in the common schools of Lancaster Center. After their marriage Mr. And Mrs. Hesher located on a farm in Lancaster Township and later lived in Rock Creek Township, and in January, 1914, he accepted appointment to his present duties as superintendent of the Wells County Infirmary.

Mr. and Mrs. Hesher have two daughters: Carrie P., born May 26, 1907, and Josephine, born April 19, 1912. Mrs. Hesher is a member of the Murray Christian Church. In politics he is a democrat who has been quite active since reaching manhood and has served as a member of the Central Committee from Hancock Township. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Bluffton, and Mrs. Hesher is a member of the Maccabees.

Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties Indiana. John W Tyndall for Adams Co and O. E. Lesh for Wells County. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1918, pp. 589-590.
Contributed by Nola Rains

Member of the firm of Everett & Hite, wholesale merchants in Decatur, Henry Hite is a representative of one of the longest established mercantile organizations of Adams County, the firm having been in existence for upwards of thirty years, the members thereof working together harmoniously during the time. He was born March 17, 1853, in Mahoning County, Ohio.

Mr. Hite's father, John Hite, was born in Germany, and when a mere child came with his parents to this country. After living for a while in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he moved to Mahoning County, Ohio, where he drove a stage for a few years. Later in life he came with his wife and children to Indiana, and located in Allen County, near the old Erie Canal. He then bought land in Naples, Allen County, and was there engaged in farming a few years, after which he moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he died when but forty-four years old. The maiden name of the wife of John Hite was Margaret Young. She, too, was born in Germany, and at the age of fourteen years came to America. While living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she met and married Mr. Hite. She survived him, dying at her home in Maples, Indiana, in 1897, aged seventy-seven years. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, to which her husband also belonged.

Henry Hite was educated in the common schools of Mahoning County, Ohio, and as a boy and youth became well acquainted with the many branches of agriculture. About 1887 he formed a co-partnership with John Everett, and as a member of the well-known and prosperous firm of Everett & Hite has been actively engaged in mercantile pursuits in Decatur ever since. The firm carried on a substantial retail business for many years, in 1914 becoming wholesale dealers in fruit and groceries, lines of merchandise in which they have built up a large and lucrative trade, their business operations extending throughout the eastern part of Indiana and Western Ohio.

Mr. Hite married first Anna Wimer, who was born in Ohio, and died soon after her marriage in Decatur, Indiana, at the early age of twenty-two years, leaving no children. Mr. Hite married for his second wife, in Decatur, Lillie B. Wilson, a native of Decatur, and they are the parents of four children, namely: Hugh, who received a high school and a business education, and is now engaged in the clothing business with Mr. Vance, married Gertrude Waring, and they have two children, Virginia and Robert; Fannie, a clerk in the office of the Peoples Loan and Trust Company; Margaret, also a high school graduate, is bookkeeper for the firm to which her father belongs; and Mary, wife of Oscar Huffman, an architect, has one son, Billy. In politics Mr. Hite is a republican, and for four years was township trustee. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his family are churchgoers, some being Methodists and some Presbyterians.

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, p757.

JAMES HOGG, a son of John and Margaret (Torrence) Hogg, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, the date of his birth being in the year 1838. His father was born in 1803, a son of James and Jane (Taylor) Hogg, the former being a son of George and Jane (Finley) Hogg and of Scotch descent. The mother of our subject was a daughter of Joseph and Ann (Ward) Torrence. The parents of our subject were married in 1837, and to them were born seven children: James, Joseph, deceased; Charles, still living in Ireland; Ann Eliza, deceased; Jane, living in Ireland, Margaret and John. Mrs. Hogg died September 1, 1866, aged fifty-eight years. In 1873 James Hogg, our subject, and his father, immigrated to America, where he purchased his present farm in Rock Creek Township, Wells County, Indiana, where his father is making his home with him. He was united in marriage February 3, 1874, to Miss Elizabeth Torrence, a daughter of Francis and Sarah (Gregg) Torrence, who left their native country, County Donegal, Ireland, for America in 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Hogg are the parents of three children, Sarah, John H. and Francis W. Mr. Hogg is a thorough, practical farmer, as is well attested by his highly cultivated and improved farm, which contains eighty acres of choice land, and by his industrious habits and fair and honorable dealings he has gained the respect of all who know him. In his political views he affiliates with the Republican party. Both he and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian church.

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

One of the most diligent and enthusiastic young farmers of Rock Creek township, Wells county, Indiana, is John H. Hogg, a native of the place, born April 27, 1877, and the second of the three children, two sons and one daughter, that have graced the marriage of James and Elizabeth (Torrence) Hogg, the former of whom was born in Ireland, whence he came to America when a young man. Mrs. Elizabeth (Torrence) Hogg was also born on the Emerald Isle, but may almost claim America as the land of her nativity, as she was but one year of age when brought to the United States by her parents, who settled in Wooster, Ohio. James Hogg and Elizabeth Torrence were joined in matrimony in Wells county, Indiana, their union resulting in the birth of three children, alluded to above, who, in order of birth, were named as follows; Sarah, who is now the wife of W. D. Woodruff, of Liberty township, Wells County; John H., whose name stands at the head of this brief biographical record, and Francis W., an unmarried son, on his father's farm.

John H. Hogg was born and reared on his father's farm, which he, at the proper age, began to assist in cultivating during the summer seasons, while his winters were devoted to attending school and acquiring a sound education. This was the life he led until his marriage, December 27, 1900, to Miss Gertrude Lee, a daughter of J. A. and Delia (Goodyear) Lee. She is also a native of Rock Creek township, this county, and was born April 13, 1880, and is the only child of her parents. Her mother is still living and resides in Bluffton with her own mother. Mr. and Mrs. John H. Hogg are members of the United Presbyterian church at Bluffton, of which Mr. Hogg is one of the elders and members of the Sunday school. Both take great interest in the affairs of the church and are liberal contributors toward its support.

In politics Mr. Hogg is a stalwart Republican as to national affairs, but in local matters exercises his franchise in favor of the candidate best fitted in his judgment to perform the duties of the office which is to be filled, seldom making a mistake in selecting his candidate.

Although still a very young man, Mr. Hogg has made a phenomenal success of his agricultural pursuits, and has proven himself a scientific and up-to-date agriculturalist. He deals quite extensively in live stock, in which he handles only the best grades and has made a success in this line of business. Mr. and Mrs. Hogg, though still young in years, stand very high in the esteem of their neighbors, among whom they have lived all their days, and among whom they are looked upon with no small share of pride as being native born.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, p. 454-455.

John M. Hoover an energetic farmer of Harrison township, removed to Wells county in the year 1842, settling on the farm which he at present occupies, and making his payment of the same by working for the sum of ten dollars per month, meanwhile clearing his farm, which was thickly covered with timber. He was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in the year 1817; is a son of Daniel and Susan (Moyer) Hoover. He was married in Dayton, Ohio, to Mary Camp, daughter of Solomon and Mollie (Baker) Moyer. She was born in Clarke County, Ohio, in the year 1819. Their children number eight, beginning with Elizabeth, born 1842; Benjamin F., 1843; Christina, 1846; Susanna, 1850; George W., 1851; Mary Ellen, 1854; Mahaha, 1856; John Edmond, 1859; 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.

Levi Hoover, farmer and manufacturer of tile, Jefferson Township, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1826. His parents, William and Sophia (Young) Hoover, remained upon their farm in that county during their lifetime, and reared fourteen children, besides losing three by death. Those who reached maturity were -- Felix, Caspar, Levi, John, Martin, David, Marion, Eliza J., Sarah, Susan, Rachel, Anna, Belle, and Caroline. David and Levi are residents of this county; Caspar came to this county, married Elizabeth Davis, reared five sons, and died here in 1860. Levi was married in Miami County, Ohio, to Miss Catherine, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Hefner, May 6, 1850, Rev. Garsage, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church of Troy, officiating. July 28, 1853, Levi Hoover, with his wife and two children, Adaline and Frank Pierce, came to this county and made a location on the east half of section 23. This was then a comparatively new country, and the woods were full of game. Mr. Hoover has seen deer upon every section in this neighborhood. He erected the first log cabin upon the land, which he cleared and improved, making of it a nice farm. Here he remained and prospered until 1874, when he exchanged his farm for 160 acres of unimproved land, which he has since largely improved and cultivated. Numerous farm buildings now mark the thrifty farmer's acres. One can scarcely conceive that such improvements could be made in a few short years, yet we cannot expect less, when men of energy and enterprise have made Wells County one of the best grain producing sections of Northern Indiana.

Mr. Hoover has been three times married. To his first marriage were born Adaline, Frank P., Harriet E., Susan E., Rachel A., Sarah J., Mary B., Martin, Vallandigham, William A., Alonzo, and Minor. The second wife was formerly Elizabeth Perry, and to this union was born one daughter--Viola. The third wife was formerly Miss Jane Nash, and they were the parents of four children--Joseph H., John L., and a pair of twins unnamed. Nine of the children are living in this county, and seven are married. Adaline married John J. Foughty, a resident of this township, and they have six children. Frank P. married Miss Ann Perry, who died leaving one child, Catherine Elizabeth; after her death Frank married Sarah P. Norton, and they have two children. Harriet E. wedded Simpson Todd, a brother of J.J. Todd, one of the most noted lawyers of this county, and has two children. Susan S. married Byron Cowl, of Jefferson Township; she was the mother of two children, and is now deceased, also one of the children. Sarah J. is the wife of David C. Hall, a carpenter by trade, and resides in Jefferson Township; they have three children. Mary B. married Melvin Kleinknight, a farmer, and has two daughters. Martin married Winnie Double, and they now reside with the parents on the home farm; they have had one child, now deceased. William married Sarah Nash, and they have one daughter. Mr. Hoover's parents had seventeen children, Mrs. Hoover's parents had seventeen children, and Mr. Hoover is the father of seventeen children.

Mr. Hoover has frequently been solicited to become a candidate for official honors in his township, but has persistently declined, preferring to devote his time to improving his farm. In the spring of 1886 he and his son William and Melvin Kleinknight began the manufacture of tile on the land of Mr. Hoover, who, in spring, 1886, purchased the interest of Mr. Kleinknight, and with his son William has since conducted the business. The clay is of superior quality, with a machine having a capacity of 100 rods of five-inch and eighty rods of six-inch tile per day. Their sales have been satisfactory and the business will be pushed during the season, as well as the manufacture of brick.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 780-781.
Contributed by Tammy Rable

EDWIN R. HORTON, M. D., son of Dr. Theodore and Mary (Rhoads) Horton was born at Bluffton, Indiana, February 17, 1849. He attended the Bluffton public schools until he was sixteen years old, when he was sent to Fort Dodge, Iowa, and attended the Union High School six months. He then returned to Indiana and clerked in a store in Rochester a year, when he entered Notre Dame College at South Bend, Indiana, where he remained six months. He then taught school until 1875, when he began the study of medicine with Dr. Cornelius Hector, of Rochester, Indiana, and was under his preceptorship three years. He took two courses of lectures at the Eclectic Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, and graduated in March, 1878, and the same year returned to Bluffton and became associated in practice with his father as T. Horton & Son. In politics Dr. Horton is a Democrat. During the winter of 1862-'63 he was a page in the House of Representatives at Indianapolis. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Knights of Honor orders. September 27, 1871, he was married at Rochester, Indiana, to Miss Olie A. Hector, daughter of Dr. Cornelius and M. J. (McKim) Hector. They have two children, Grace Alleen, born December 4, 1873, and Lenore, born July 27, 1879.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 851.

Theodore Horton, a physician, born in Morris County, New Jersey, October 23, 1823, and son of Elijah and Sarah Rose (Overton) Horton, is a resident of Harrison township. He was elected State Senator, in the year 1852; County Appraiser in 1854; County Enumerator in 1860; Representative of Wells and Blackford counties in 1861; served as Auditor of Wells county four years, being elected in 1863; served several terms as Town Council. He has been a practicing physician for thirty-four years. His political principals are thoroughly Democratic, and his religious belief founded on Universalism. He was married in Allen County, Indiana in the year of 1847, to Mary Rhodes. Their children are: Edwin R., born, 1849, resides at Bluffton; Mary, 1854, resides at Rochester. The birth of Mrs. Horton took place in Allen County, Indiana. She is a daughter of James F. and ----- Rhoades. In 1866, Mr. Horton married Elizabeth Case, by whom he had one child, named Jennie, born in 1867, and died in 1878. 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.

RHODA HOUSEL, of Ossian, was born in the State of New York in 1814, the thirteenth child of Ebenezer and Abigail Allen. She was four years of age when her parents removed to Trumbull County, Ohio. She was married December 25, 1834, to Absalom Housel, a native of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, of German ancestry. His parents, Peter and Sarah (Myers) Housel, could not speak the English language when they were married. The father was born in 1780. They reared a family of seven children, six sons and one daughter; all are living except the husband of our subject. She came to this county with her husband in October, 1848, and settled in Union Township, upon land now owned by the Fosselman brothers. They had five children previous to their removal- Freeman, Harriet, Peter, George W. and Hiram. After their arrival here Sarah J. and Mary E. were born. At that time there were neither roads nor improvements, and but few families living in the neighborhood. When a visit was made they followed the blazed trees instead of a public highway, and the log cabins were just as hospitable as are the modern mansions of to-day. A huge fire-place in which the fire crackled and glowed furnished both light and heat in many instances, and the johnnycake and corn pone were baked in Dutch ovens upon the glowing embers. The hardships of the pioneers were lessened by the lack of conventionality; a neighbor was a neighbor in deed as well as word. Men would go miles through the woods to assist in raising a log cabin, or to aid a new-comer in rolling his logs, that a crop might be planted. Four of the children of our subject were soldiers in the late civil war. Jered F. enlisted in the Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry in 1861; Peter C. and George W. enlisted in the Thirty-fourth, and Hiram in the Forty-seventh. At the battle of Pittsburg Landing Jered F. was shot through the thigh by a rebel bullet, and for months was in the hospital at Evansville, Indiana. His mother was by his side for several months, and with loving hands nursed him back to health. After his return from the army he was married to Drusilla Reeves, of De Kalb County, Indiana, where they still reside. They have one son-Ellsworth E. Peter and Hiram were both wounded at the battle of Champion Hills. Hiram received a bullet in the arm, and Peter had a bullet graze his cheek. After their return Hiram married Delilah Slippey, and they have three daughters and one son. They are residents of De Kalb County. George W. died from disease at Camp Carleton, near New Orleans. Peter is a bachelor and resides with his mother at Ossian. Harriet M. married Thomas F. Reeves, whose death occurred in 1866. She had one daughter, Luella, wife of James Monroe, of St. John's, De Kalb County, this State. Sarah J. became the wife of James Reed, of this county, who is section boss of the Muncie & Fort Wayne Railroad. They have seven children, and two deceased. Mary E. married John Wilson, son of one of the early settlers, and resides at Ossian. They are the parents of four children. Seventeen grandchildren are living, and some of them are grown. Mr. Housel died in July, 1883. Peter received a sunstroke after the surrender of Vicksburg, while on the march to Jackson, Mississippi. This so undermined his health that he has never been able to work, and he receives a pension of $50 a month.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 874-875.

Eli Houtz, an enterprising and successful agriculturist of Rock Creek Township, where he is engaged in farming and stock-raising, is a native of Ohio, born in Montgomery County February 2, 1846, a son of Henry Houtz. When he was three years of age, his parents came to Wells County, Indiana, and here he grew to manhood, his youth being spent in assisting his father on the farm and in attending the schools of his neighborhood, where he received a fair education. He remained on the home farm with his parents until reaching his majority, when he began life on his own account. He was married September 2, 1869, to Mary Eichorn, a daughter of Philip Eichorn. Mrs. Houtz was born near Crestline, Ohio, and was sixteen years of age when she came to Wells County. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Houtz of which five yet survive (as of 1887) - Philip E., Henry H., Clara O., Ida F. and Viola E. Margaret died when fifteen months old. After his marriage, Mr. Houtz settled on his present farm on section 23, Rock Creek Township, which then consisted of eighty acres of land only partially improved, there being at that time no buildings on the place. By persevering industry and good management he has improved his land and added to his original tract until his farm now consists of 229 acres of well-cultivated land. His farm is well drained and the improvements on his place are among the best in his township, and in his chosen avocation he has been highly successful. In politics, Mr. Houtz casts his suffrage with the Republican party. Both he and his wife are members of the Reformed church, and respected members of society.

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

Henry Houtz who has been identified with the interests of Rock Creek Township for many years, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Lebanon County November 6, 1815. His parents, Henry and Christina (Copenhauer) Houtz, were born and reared in the same county, the father being a son of Henry Houtz whose father immigrated from Germany to America and settled in Dauphin, now Lebanon County, prior to the Revolutionary war. The maternal grandfather of our subject was also a native of the State of Pennsylvania and of German descent. The father of our subject being a farmer, he was reared to the same avocation. He received a limited education in German and English, attending the rude log cabin subscription schools of that early day. He remained at home with his parents until nineteen years of age, when he went to Montgomery County, Ohio with a capital of $19. He worked on a farm there for a year, receiving $12 a month, and at the expiration of that time he followed the carpenter's trade for two years.

November 15, 1836, he was married to Miss Fannie Hark (generally seen as Harp), a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Bowman) Hark (Harp), who came from Pike County, Pennsylvania and were of German ancestry. Twelve children were born to this union of whom ten grew to maturity and eight are yet living (in 1887). Their names in order of their birth are as follows - Josiah H., deceased: Sarah Ann, wife of John Harvey of Huntington County; Jeremiah; Lydia, deceased, was the wife of William Jeffries; Eli; Amanda, deceased; L.P. (Louis Philip), of Dickerson County, Kansas; Cristina, wife of Daniel Eichorn; Eliza, wife of Samuel Bender of Bluffton; Jacob; Angeline, wife of Frank Miller. After his marriage Mr. Houtz farmed on rented land for two years, when he purchased land, on which he followed farming until he came to Indiana in the spring of 1849. He then purchased 160 acres of partially improved land on section 14, Rock Creek Township, Wells County, for which he paid $2,000, and to his original purchase, he afterward added forty acres. For thirty-eight years he has made his home on this farm, and by hard work and good management he has met with excellent success, surrounding himself and family with all the comforts of life, and by his fair and honorable dealings he has gained the confidence and respect of the entire community. Both he and his wife are members of the German Reformed church. In his political views he was formerly a Democrat, but has affiliated with the Republican party since the late war.

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

LEWIS L. HOWARD is a native of Wells County, Indiana, born March 27, 1857, a son of Robert G. and Jane (Dobbs) Howard, early settlers of Chester Township. He was reared in his native county, receiving his early education in the common district schools, and subsequently attended one term at Montpelier and two terms at Bluffton. In 1878 he went to Valparaiso, Indiana, and entered upon a college course, remaining there a year and a half, when, on account of ill-health, he went to New Mexico, where he remained ten months. He then returned to Indiana, and in the spring of 1884 went to Dakota and spent two months. He began teaching when twenty-one years of age, and has since given his attention to that profession. He is a member of Montpelier Lodge, No. 410, I. O. O. F., of which he is vice-grand.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 755-756.

ROBERT GEORGE HOWARD is a native of Hampshire County, Virginia, born March 15, 1800, a son of Samuel and Mary (Biggins) Howard, also natives of Virginia, his father born in Hampshire County, of English parentage, and his mother in Loudoun County. The parents were married in Hampshire County, living there until the fall of 1800, when they moved to what is now Marshall County, West Virginia, locating about ten miles below Wheeling, where Robert was reared and married. In their declining years the parents made their home with Robert, the mother dying at his house January 10, 1851. In 1854 he left West Virginia and with his family and his father moved to Indiana, arriving in Wells County September 7, coming by rail as far as Winchester, their goods, however, being brought by teams. They located on 160 acres of land in Chester Township, which Mr. Howard had bought the year before. About fifty acres had been cleared and there were some old log buildings on the place, which they made use of until better ones could be built. Game at that time was scarce in the county, although deer were occasionally seen, and although in his early life Mr. Howard had been quite a hunter, he did not have much opportunity to practice the art after coming to Wells County. He has traveled over a large part of Indiana and Illinois on horseback when there was no other mode of conveyance, and visited Indianapolis soon after the capital was located there, when the town consisted of a few huts. The most imposing buildings in the place were three frame houses which were called Governor's Row. He witnessed the first land sale, and could have bought land on the present site of Indianapolis for $1.25 an acre. He was at Elkhart Prairie when it was the home of the Big Chief.

Mr. Howard was married February 21, 1839, to Miss Jane Dobbs, who was born near Redstone, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Andrew and Margaret (Porter) Dobbs, her mother a native of Ireland and her father of Irish ancestry. She was reared in Marshall County, West Virginia, whither her parents moved in her ninth year. To Mr. and Mrs. Howard have been born ten children, nine of whom are living-Ann Amanda, wife of D. H. Patterson; Samuel, of Upland, Grant County; Margaret, wife of Elliott Crossan, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; William, of Blackford County, married Sarah C. Kelley; Harvey; Thomas B., also of Blackford County, married Irene Hobbs; Lewis L.; Robert G., of Jay County, married Rachel Renberger; Mary E., wife of Walter S. Harper, of Rockford, Illinois. One son, James P., was a graduate from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Medical College, and located in Blunt, Hughes County, Dakota, where he died December 29, 1885, aged thirty-two years, his death being caused by a mistake in compounding a prescription given him by his physician. He left a wife who was formerly Mary Elizabeth Bryson. He was a member of the Masonic, Odd Fellows and United Workmen orders, and of the Blunt Rifles, a military organization of Dakota. His remains were brought to his old home in Wells County for burial. Mr. Howard's father was reared in the Whig school of politics and was afterward a Democrat, with which party the son has always affiliated, casting his first presidential vote for Andrew Jackson. He has in his possession a cane cut from the farm of General Jackson which was a present to his father.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 756-757.

The largest general store in Lancaster township, Wells county, Indiana, is that owned and conducted by Benjamin Franklin Hower in Craigville, of which town he was formerly the postmaster. He was born in Kirkland township, Adams county, Indiana, May 6, 1859, a son of Joseph and Rachael (Proctor) Hower. Joseph Hower, the father, a native of Champaign county, Ohio, was born in 1836, was reared a farmer, married Rachael Proctor in the spring of 1858 and in the fall of the same year settled in Kirkland township, Adams county. There he purchased a farm, on which he resided until his death, which occurred in January, 1873, and was caused by that fell and insidious disorder, consumption. Notwithstanding the weakened condition of his system, brought on by this fatal disease, Joseph Hower bore its ravages with Christian resignation, and when he was called away the community sincerely mourned his loss, while to his family it was irreparable.

Benjamin F. Hower attended the district school of his native township until he reached the age of fourteen years, at which age he lost his father. Benjamin then undertook the management of the homestead for his mother and operated it in her interest until his marriage, which took place September 24, 1881, to Miss Susan Baum, a daughter of Benjamin and Susan Baum, of Adams county. Mr. Hower continued to reside on the old homestead for six years after his marriage, when in 1887 he removed to Craigville and embarked in his present business, which, considering the limited number of inhabitants in the township, has reached mammoth proportions. He has shown himself to be a shrewd business man, keeping in touch with the people and clearly anticipating their needs. His stock in trade is invariably well selected and equally well assorted, so that the most fastidious patron may be thoroughly satisfied. Mr. Hower is also an accomplished salesman, a qualification that seems to be natural to him, and affability and courtesy are equally innate. When he once meets with a patron he, through his straightforward dealing and avoidance of misrepresentations of any kind, secures him for all time, and this is the true secret of all successful merchandising.

The Hower family of children number seven, to-wit: Minnie Pearl, born June 18, 1882, and married to Martin Kaufman, of Lancaster township; Gertha M., born March 26, 1886; Sarah Elizabeth, born February 15, 1890; Ada Belle, born February 16, 1892, and died September 7, 1892; Hattie Mabel, born October 11, 1895; Raymond, born April 6, 1897, and Herbert, born July 4, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Hower and their children of suitable age are members of the C. U. church at Craigville, to the maintenance of which they are most liberal contributors financially, and in whose doctrines they are sincere believers, being desirous that others, outside its pale, shall be brought within the fold. In politics Mr. Hower is a stanch Democrat and in the interests of his party never fails to make any reasonable sacrifice of his time and labor. In partial recognition of his devotion to his principles and party, he was appointed, during President Cleveland's second administration, postmaster of Craigville and for four years filled the office with ability and to the entire satisfaction of the post office department at Washington and to the gratification of the public of Lancaster township.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, p. 424-425.

Twenty-five Hudsons, among whom were five Johns, came from England and Ireland in the year 1600, the principal portion of this number landing in Pennsylvania. They were given between three and four thousand acres of land for their transportation and taking allegiance to the old country. The Johns aforementioned were distinguished from each other by John Pond, John Delight, etc., according as they happened to live by a pond, or other appellations suggested by surrounding circumstances. They described their land as follows: "On north side of marsh of Wicomico." This is a sample of deed: "John Hudson, 'John Pond,' thirty-four acres, surveyed October 9, 1674, in Dorchester county, on the north side of a marsh of Wicomico river." Dennis Hudson, great-grandfather of the subject, was born in Ireland. Grandfather Selby Hudson was a sea captain, commanding a vessel during the Revolutionary war. He was on his way to some point with a vessel loaded with soldiers, when he met vessels returning with the news that peace had been declared. He then moved to Rochester county, Maryland, where he lived for several years, still retaining the position of sea captain, and made his stopping place at his home at Snow Hill, from which place he removed to Brown county, Ohio. He constructed the first steamboat that was built at Cincinnati, Ohio. He had two sisters, Margaret and Hester Ann, and three brothers, Melvin, Eli and Elihu; Eli died in Jay county, Indiana.

Selby Hudson was twice married. His first wife was Hettie Davis and to them were born two children who lived, Thomas and Katie Ann. His second wife was Elizabeth Richardson, by whom he had several children. To both marriages were born twenty-two children. When Selby Hudson came to Cincinnati, Ohio, he moved his family there. James W. Hudson was born in Maryland, his father later remvoing his family onto a farm in Brown county, Ohio, when James W., the father of the subject, was a small boy. Soon after his removal to Brown county, Ohio, James was sent on an errand to his uncle's. He started, wearing a new pair of trousers. It being a customary thing in those days to wear long shirts, he hung his trousers in a tree by the wayside and thus dressed in the usual costume for boys of the period, he continued his journey, performed his errand, and returning by the same way, he repossessed himself of the, what seemed to him, unnecessary part of his apparel which he had left hanging in the tree and wore them back home. Selby Hudson died in Clinton county, Ohio, at the age of eighty years; James W. grew up on the farm in Ohio, and there met and married Catherine Sharp, a daughter of Stockdale and Mary Sharp.

After his marriage James W. Sharp settled in Ohio, where he remained until 1853 (1833?), when he removed to Jefferson township, Huntington county, Indiana. About 1883 he moved to Wells county and lived virtually with Wilson Hudson until his death. Catherine, his wife, died November 1, 1894, aged eighty-two years ten months and twenty-two days. James W. died August 19, 1899, aged eighty-seven years ten months and six days.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, p. 218-219.

Wilson Hudson was born on the stroke of midnight and it is yet an unsettled question whether his natal day should be celebrated as the 9th or 10th of July, 1836. His grandfather, being an old sea cpatain, claims that it is permissible to date back, but not forward. So, in accordance with his grandfather's dictum, this solution was adopted and he was named George, born July 9, and so recorded in his grandfather's record. After a few years his uncle Wilson was killed by a falling rail while climbing a fence and so his grandmother would have the boy's name changed to Wilson, born July 10, 1836, in Clinton county, Ohio, and since that time he has been known and called by the name of Wilson. He came with his parents to Huntington county, Indiana, in 1853. He obtained the rudiments of his education in the country in Huntington county. He remained under his father's control even to the extent of not being allowed to call upon young ladies, until he was twenty-three years old. As an instance of parental supervision, he relates that upon one occasion he with his father were cutting rail timber on a day the evening of which the subject had promised to call upon a young lady of the neighborhood. Being afraid his father might interpose objections, the young man invented an excuse to escape his lynx-eyed parent and account for his absence. So he left the measuring pole some distance back, and telling his father he would return for it, he hastened to the house to don his best clothes and seek the presence of his inamorata. After he had started, he heard his father calling him, and his mother answering, seeking to cover his retreat, as mothers will in such cases, God bless them, informing him that the young man had "dressed and gone." The father's only remark on the occasion was, "Why in the devil did he not say he was going," which would indicate that in this case young Lochinvar's fear was the chief element to discourage love's young dream. The subject was married May 20, 1860, to Margaret L. Corey, who was born in Rush county, Indiana, July 9, 1838, the daughter of Stephen and Mary (Downard) Corey. After his marriage Mr. Hudson remained one year with his father, who still retained control over him, and even the second year after his marriage he could not say that he was his own boss. At this time he and wife moved to themselves and rented land in Huntington county. He remained there for two years, when he traded out and removed to the farm where he now lives. In 1863 this farm was all in the woods except twelve acres which was chopped to eighteen inches. (It was the custom in clearing land in the early days of the state to remove everything under eighteen inches in diameter, deadening the larger timber by girdling, and farming the land, a few years before finally clearing it off.) There were thirty-seven trees lyding across the fences surrounding this twelve acres. The improvements in the way of buildings consisted only of a log house and barn. He now has one hundred acres of cleared land with (five?) buildings, the house having been built in 1893. About 1880 the subjects' father sold his farm in Huntington county and moved onto a twenty-five acre tract of land belonging to the subject. Here his parents remained for about ten years, when the son moved them into his own house where, after two years, the mother died. The son then gave his father the choice of any room in his house he wanted. He chose and was freely given the bed room of the subject and remained with him the rest of his life. He died very suddenly of heart disease at the home of Orlando Thorp, in Warren, Indiana. As is frequently the case, he had presentiments of his approaching end, and the changes attending the inevitable lot of all cast their shadows before.

With the exception of three years during the war, which he spent in dealing in cattle, being known as a cattle broker, Wilson Hudson has devoted his whole life to farming interests, and is also a general stock farmer. He has eight producing oil wells on his farm and says it is just like finding the money. The subject is the father of two children, both of whom died unnamed in infancy. Since then he has turned his attention to needy children, having at different times brought clothing for sixty-three children who were objects for the charitably inclined. To many of these children he gave the privilege of buying the kind of clothing they wanted. He always has from one to four orphan children around him and is indeed a father to the fatherless. He and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church and have served many years as live practical workers.

Politically Mr. Hudson's affiliations have been with the Democratic party, and he has ever been true to church and party. Although many times solicited, he has never accepted public office. Believing that a public recognition of the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship would be conducive to the moral well-being of his locality, he with others have petitioned that the oil wells be closed down on Sunday, but they have not yet succeeded in bringing this about. While the owners of the wells on his farm are pumping on Sunday, he has decided to donate his royalties of that duty to charity, and the proceeds of his Sunday production for the first year amounted to the sum of sixty-eight dollars and ninety-four cents. He is ever ready to lend a helping hand to the deserving poor, in which he observes the scriptural injunction in giving, to not let the left hand know what the right hand doeth. In the past four years the subject has aided four different parties (only one of whom was a relative) to the amount of fifty dollars each. Mr. Hudson thinks that he might have been wealthy if he had been a guardian. If it is more blessed to give than to receive, surely the subject is rich in the consciousness of good deeds well done. He has realized the proper use of money in creating happiness for others, thus setting a worthy example to others who are cloyed with the sordid practice of accumulation and hoarding, with the delusive hope that in the possession of money alone is happiness to be found.

Mrs. Hudson, the wife of the subject was a maiden of nine years when she came with her parents to Grant county, receiving her education in that county. She has seen this part of Indiana when it was new, even when the wolves howled around their cabin door. She is one of those good, kind, affectionate, motherly ladies, whom it is pleasure to meet. She and her good husband's hospitable home is a haven for friend and stranger alike. Many hundreds have partaken from their bountiful table, and been cheered by the happy smiling faces of father and mother Hudson. Mrs. Hudson has ever been her husband's companion in all the walks of life, ever ready to cheer him by her sweet presence, advice and counsel. To show their wonderful generosity and hospitality it is said that one year thirteen hundred people dined in their home.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, p. 216-218.

A prominent and prosperous citizen of Wells County, and one of the foremost agriculturists of Jackson Township, Henry H. Huff holds a position of note among the sturdy, energetic and successful farmers who have a thorough knowledge of the vocation they are following, and are carrying it on with both profit and pleasure. His valuable farm is well ditched, and with its substantial improvements is recognized as one of the most attractive and desirable estates in the township. A son of John Huff, he was born February 13, 1858, in Grant County, Indiana.

Born and reared in Guernsey County, Ohio, John Huff came to Indiana when young, locating in Grant County. When ready to begin life for himself he bought land in Van Buren Township, and was there employed in general farming throughout his remaining years. He married Mary Zuck, who was born in Pennsylvania and is now living in Grant County, Indiana. Eleven children were born into their household, as follows: Elizabeth, wife of Noah Pence; William, deceased, served one or more terms as trustee of Van Buren Township; Hiram A. of Landersville, Indiana; Sarah, wife of William Sala, of Dundee, Indiana; Henry H., of whom we write; Mary J., wife of Henry Losure of Van Buren; John M., a barber at Marion, Indiana; Emma, wife of Robert Pilkington of Van Buren; Charles C., now teaching in Van Buren, has taught school for thirty-four years, and is widely known as an educator; Etta, widow of David Cronin; and Homer, a former resident of Oklahoma, but now in Iowa.

Until seven years old, Henry H. Huff lived on the home farm, lying two miles west and one mile south of Van Buren, but he afterward lived in the vicinity of Landersville, and was educated in the district schools. At the age of twenty-one years he began the struggle of life on his own account as a farmer in Van Buren Township, where he continued for twenty-four years. Coming then to Jackson Township, Wells County, Mr. Huff bought his present farm of 160 acres, and in the substantial improvements that he has since made takes much pride. His land is under a high state of culture, and owing to the sound judgment and persistent energy with which he has managed it is now one of the most valuable and desirable pieces of property in the neighborhood, his buildings being of a substantial character, and his residence the finest in its appointments of any in the township.

On May 28, 1883, Mr. Huff married Eura E. Love, a native of Washington Township, Grant County, Indiana. Of the seven children born of their union, five are living, namely: Ned L., a graduate of the Van Buren High School, and of the Marion Normal College, married Goldia Bugh, and is now on the home farm; Jessie, a graduate of the Van Buren High School, is wife of Henry Jones; Dema a graduate of the high school and of Muncie Normal College, and a former high school teacher, married Robert Lambert, superintendent of the public schools in Reynolds, Indiana; Pauline and Chester, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Huff are members of the Church of Christ, at Warren. In his political relations, Mr. Huff is a democrat, and while in Van Buren served as justice of the peace. Fraternally he is a member of Van Buren Lodge No. 633, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Marion Lodge, Knights of the Maccabees.

Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties Indiana. John W Tyndall for Adams Co and O. E. Lesh for Wells County. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1918, pp. 679-680.

Elijah Huffman is a worthy representative of the Huffman family, who have been closely identified with the development of this part of Wells County. He is a native of the State of Indiana, born in Salamonie Township, Huntington County, February 1, 1855, a son of John and Susannah (Myers) Huffman. He grew to manhood on the old homestead in Salamonie Township, being reared to agricultural pursuits, which he has always followed. He was united in marriage November 17, 1878, to Miss Mary E. Hamilton, who was born in Wells County, Indiana, a daughter of Alexander and Anna (Wright) Hamilton. They are the parents of one child, a daughter named Maud S. Mr. Huffman made his home with his mother in Huntington County until two years after his marriage. He then, in the spring of 1879, bought forty acres in Jackson Township, Wells County, part of which was cleared. Since coming here he has cleared ten acres and put 600 rods of tile on his original forty acres, and has added to this until his farm now contains eighty-one and a half acres. His farm is all cleared but three acres, and the surroundings of his place show him to be a thorough, practical farmer. Politically, he is a Democrat. Both he and his wife are members of the United Brethren church.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 985-986.

FREDERICK HUFFMAN, a representative of one of the pioneer families of Wells County, was born in Clarke County, Ohio, March 9, 1839, a son of Henry and Catherine (Baker) Huffman. The father was born in Clarke County, Ohio, a son of Jacob Huffman, one of the early pioneers of that county, who came from Virginia. Jacob Huffman took an active part in the early development of Clarke County, and his descendants in their time have been actively identified with the interests of the same county. In the early days of the county he built a rock house, quarrying the rock and burning the lime used in its construction on his own place. The house is still standing, and is yet in good condition. Henry Huffman grew to manhood in Clarke County, and was there married to Elizabeth Ebersole, a native of Rockingham County, Virginia. She died in Clarke County, and he subsequently married Catherine Baker, a native of York County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Frederick and Catherine (Heffner) Baker, an old Pennsylvania family. They resided in Clarke County until 1842, when, packing their household effects, they came by team to Indiana, and after a two weeks' journey they came to Jackson Township, Wells County, and located on a ninety-one acre tract of land which Henry Huffman had entered some time before. He had also built a small log cabin before the family came to the county, which was so low that a person could not stand up straight in it. The land was covered with a heavy growth of timber of which not a stick had been cut when purchased by Mr. Huffman. Game of all kinds was plentiful in those early days, and wild animals roamed the forests, and the howling of the wolves was an almost nightly occurrence. Mr. Huffman cleared his land, and added to it another forty acres. Though coming here when the surrounding country was in a state of nature Mr. and Mrs. Huffman lived to see it changed into well-cultivated fields and thriving villages, and to enjoy the comforts of life. Both are now deceased, the mother dying in September, 1884, and the father about six weeks later in October of the same year. They were members of the German Baptist church, and helped to organize the Sugar Grove Church, in Jackson Township, being instrumental in the erection of the church at that place.

Frederick Huffman, whose name heads this sketch, was but a little over two years of age when his parents came to Wells County, and here he was reared on the pioneer farm in Jackson Township, passing through many phases of pioneer life, and as soon as large enough to handle an ax he began to assist his father clear his land. He made his home with his parents until one year after his marriage. He was united in marriage November 12, 1847, to Miss Mary Ruse, a native of Delaware County, Indiana, and daughter of John and Phoebe (Jennings) Ruse, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively. Her father died in Delaware County while the family were preparing to come to Wells County. The mother came with her children and made their home with Daniel Jones, one of the pioneers of Wells County. The mother died in 1841, and Mrs. Huffman was reared in the family of Mr. Jones. Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Huffman, only four are living-Phoebe Catherine, wife of George Irick, of Huntington County; Octavia Jane, a teacher, having taught one term in the home school and a term in Wexford County, Michigan; Lucy Ellen and Albert. Daniel, Ezekiel, Nancy Elizabeth and Mary Alice are deceased. In 1858 Mr. Huffman engaged in farming on his own account, renting forty acres of land adjoining his father's property, and there he resided until 1861. He then removed to his present farm, where he had purchased eighty acres the year before which a small cabin had been built and ten acres cleared. In 1870 he erected a large and substantial residence and other farm buildings, and is now the owner of 200 acres of choice land, all of which, with the exception of thirty-five acres, he has cleared and brought under cultivation, the result of years of persevering toil and industry. Both Mr. and Mrs. Huffman are members of the German Baptist church, in politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. Most of his life has been spent in Wells County, where he is widely known and universally respected.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 749-750.

George R. Huffman who has been identified with the interests of Wells County for many years, is engaged in farming on section 2, Jackson Township, where he is numbered among the most respected citizens. Mr. Huffman was born in Jackson Township, Wells County, the date of his birth being March 7, 1842, and is the son of Henry and Catharine Huffman, who were early pioneers of the county. He was reared in Jackson Township and has always made it his home. He remained on the home farm until one year after his marriage. March 6 1863, he married Miss Elsie Ann Griffith, a native of Wells County, Indiana, and a daughter of Samuel Griffith. Both of her parents are deceased, her mother having died when she was a child, and her father about the year 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Huffman are the parents of four living children-Samuel, William Allison, Jonas Goode and Delma Allison. One son, Theodore, is deceased. In 1864 Mr. Huffman enlisted in the late war, and was assigned to Company C, Fifty -third Indiana Infantry, going first to Dalton, Georgia, thence to Pittsburg. He subsequently went to Beaufort, North Carolina, and from there went to Kingston, where he was engaged with his regiment. They joined Sherman's army at Goldsborough, and marched through the Carolinas and participated in the grand review of Sherman's army at Washington, D.C., at the close of the war. Mr. Huffman was discharged at Indianapolis after the expiration of a furlough which he had passed at his home. Before enlisting in the late war Mr. Huffman lived one year on rented land. After the war he bought a piece of land, which he sold soon after, and bought and sold another piece of land, when, in 1878, he purchased his present farm of eighty acres, of which seventy-two acres have been cleared and brought under cultivation. In politics Mr. Huffman affiliates with the Democratic party, but in local elections votes independent of party ties. In his religious faith he is a Dunkard. .

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 910.
Contributed by R J Meredith

GEORGE W. HUFFMAN, a son of John and Susannah (Myers) Huffman, is a native of Indiana, born in Salamonie Township, Huntington County, January 27, 1847. His father, John Huffman, was born in Clarke County, Ohio, a son of Jacob Huffman, one of the earliest pioneers of Clarke County. John Huffman was reared in Clarke County to a farm life, and was there married to Susannah Myers, who was also a native of Clarke County, her parents coming to that county from Virginia in an early day. In 1846 the parents of our subject removed by team to Indiana and located on a tract of eighty acres in Salamonie Township, Huntington County, which Mr. Huffman had purchased about two years before. Their land was then in a state of nature, being thickly covered with timber. While Mr. Huffman was clearing a part of his land and erecting his pole cabin, he and his wife lived with his brother Henry, who lived across the line in Wells County. This cabin was built with a weight pole roof and four foot clapboards, and stood on his land about eight years, but during this time he had built a hewed log house, and in 1859 he erected a good two-story frame house. Mr. Huffman and family experienced many of the privations and hardships which usually fall to the lot of the pioneer. Game was very plentiful, but he was no hunter, and never owned a gun, a rare thing for an early settler. He died in September, 1861, aged fifty years. In polities he was a life-long Democrat. He was a member of the German Baptist church, having joined it about three years before his death. His widow is also a member of the same church. She is still living on the old homestead at the age of seventy-one years.

George W., the subject of this sketch, was reared in his native county, remaining on the old homestead until coming to Wells County in 1870. He was united in marriage November 5, 1868, to Miss Sarah C. Neff, who was born in Liberty Township, Wells County, in 1850, a daughter of Jacob and Mary Neff. Of the three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Huffman one son, Oscar, is deceased. Those living are named-Ella May and Charles Wayne, the latter being called Wayne in honor of Anthony Wayne, who was a distant relative of his mother. In the fall of 1870 Mr. and Mrs. Huffman settled on eighty acres of land in Wells County. He had owned the land some two years previous, and before coming here had made a small clearing and put up a hewed log house into which they removed, and in the spring of 1883 he erected their present residence. He has cleared fifty-five acres on that place and underdrained it, making it a valuable farm. They now own about 113 acres of land, lying in Jackson and Chester townships, which property has been acquired by persevering industry and good management. Both Mr. and Mrs. Huffman are members of the United Brethren church at Mount Zion, of which he is steward. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, and has held the office of supervisor, and is at present a member of the Wells County Democratic Central Committee.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 786-787.

A biographical compendium of the nature of this work would be incomplete without due reference to the life of George W. Huffman, whose career as a citizen and as a public official have won for him a prominent place in the esteem of the people of Wells county. Mr. Huffman’s parents were natives of Clark county, Ohio, but about the year 1846 they came to Indiana, settling in the county of Huntington, where the subject was born on the 27th date of January, 1847. His father, John Huffman, was a farmer and spent the remainder of his life in his adopted state. Like the majority of country lads, the early life of George W. was spent under the parental roof and as soon as old enough to be of practical service he was obliged to contribute his share towards cultivating the farm and providing for the general support of the family. In the common schools he acquired a fair knowledge of the fundamental branches and later, by much reading, close observation and contact with the world in various business and official capacities, became one of the well balanced and thoroughly informed men of the community in which he has so long resided. Actuated by motives of filial duty he remained at home until his twenty-second year, meantime assuming much of the responsibility of managing the farm and sparing no pains in looking after his parents’ interests and ministering to their comfort and welfare. At the age of twenty-two he took a life companion in the person of Miss Sarah C. NEFF, of Wayne county, this state, and shortly after his marriage moved to the county of Wells where he engaged in farming on land leased for the purpose. Mr. Huffman began life as an independent factor with a limited capital, but in the course of two years was enabled to purchase a home of his own, investing his means in an eighty-acre tract of wood land in section 1, Jackson township. To clear and reduce this place to cultivation required long and unremitting toil, but with a spirit born of a determination to succeed, he pursued in the undertaking until in due time he not only had a well tilled farm, but had increased his real estate to one hundred and ninety-eight acres of as fine soil as the county can boast. Mr. Huffman was extremely fortunate in his selection, although unconsciously so, as future developments attested. When oil was discovered in the Indiana field, it was found that his farm lay in the heart of the finest producing district of the state, the result of the discovery raising the value of his land many fold, its present worth being conservatively estimated at over thirty thousand dollars. As a farmer Mr. Huffman has long enjoyed the reputation of being one of the most enterprising and thorough of the county, as the splendid condition of his fields and the general appearance of his place abundantly prove. Admirably situated for agricultural and live stock purposes, he has spared no pains in its development and, barring the boundless wealth which lies beneath the soil, it is today one of the finest farms as well as one of the most beautiful and attractive homes in the township of Jackson.

For many years Mr. Huffman has taken an active interest in public and political affairs and since attaining his majority has been unwavering in his allegiance to the Democratic party. Not only has he been an active worker, but his ability as a natural leader of men long since caused his services to be sought by the councils of his party both in local and general campaigns. In the year 1893 he was elected sheriff of Wells county, which responsible office he filled four years, proving a most capable and obliging public servant, his administration being eminently satisfactory to the people regardless of party ties. At the expiration of his term he retired with the best wishes of all and since that time has not been actively engaged in any vocation further than to look after his large and constantly increasing oil interests, which yield him a handsome income. At the present time there are twelve producing wells on his place which, with others to be drilled at intervals, assure him a fortune of still larger magnitude in years to come. To Mr. and Mrs. Huffman have been born three children, the oldest of whom, Oscar, died at the age of three and one-half years; Ella, now the wife of Isaac ROUSH, of Mt. Zion, this state, and Charlie WAYNE, the youngest, who served with distinction in the late Spanish-American war and at the present time lives in the city of Bluffton.

In his private life Mr. Huffman is sociable, hospitable and generous, ever ready to lend a helping hand to others and to give his influence and material assistance to all enterprises having for their object the general welfare. Few men in the county are as well and favorably known. His integrity has always been above reproach and his name is synonymous for all that is correct in manhood and ennobling in citizenship. Already he has won many victories in life’s battle field and it is no extravagant flight of fancy to indulge in the prediction that many more triumphs will yet be his before the days of his usefulness and power shall end. Fraternally Mr. Huffman is a member of Lodge No. 92, Knights of Pythias, and religiously belongs to the Methodist church, as does also his wife.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, p. 230.
Transcribed by Colleen Rutledge

HENRY B. HUFFMAN, one of the progressive farmers of Jackson Township, Wells County, Indiana, is a native of the same township, the date of his birth being February 14, 1844, and is a son of Henry and Catharine (Baker) Huffman. His father being a farmer he was reared to the same avocation, remaining on the home farm in Jackson Township until nineteen years of age. On leaving home he went to Clarke County, Ohio, returning to Wells County one year later. In the fall of 1864 he entered the Union service, going first from Warren to Wabash, thence to Indianapolis, thence to Louisville, Kentucky, and from there to Nashville, Tennessee. He started from Nashville to join Sherman's army at Dalton, Georgia, but arrived there too late, when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, by way of Nashville and the Cumberland River. From Cincinnati he went to Columbus, Ohio, where he received his discharge in June, 1865. After leaving the army he went to Blackford County, Indiana, where he worked at the carpenter's trade about two years. He then went to Jonesboro, Grant County, going thence to Marion, and from there to Monroe Township, Grant County, where he was married in April, 1871, to Miss Margaret Catharine Thomason, a native of Grant County, Indiana, a daughter of Absalom and Rosie (Strange) Thomason, who came from Highland County, Ohio, to Grant County, where they made their home until death. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Huffman, Levi Franklin and one who died in infancy. Mr. Huffman lived in Monroe Township four years, when he removed to Liberty Township, Wells County, and one year later came to the old Huffman homestead in Jackson Township. In July of the same year he bought eighty acres of his present farm, to which he at once removed, adding to his original purchase twenty acres the same summer. When he first settled on this land about fifty-three acres had been cleared, and a few log buildings had been built. His farm now contains 180 acres of choice land, of which 120 acres have been cleared and put under good cultivation, and his present residence and farm buildings are comfortable and commodious. In the spring of 1877 he erected his fine barn, building his residence in the spring of 1879. Both Mr. and Mrs. Huffman are members of the Christian church, he being an elder of Pleasant Hill Church. Politically he is a Democrat, and while living in Grant County was elected justice of the peace. He 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, p. 770.

John J. Huffman, a son of Henry and Catherine (Baker) Huffman, was born in Jackson Township, Wells County, Indiana, on the old Huffman homestead, the date of his birth being March 25,1847. He grew to his manhood in his native township, and his father being a farmer, was also reared to agricultural pursuits, which he has followed through life. He was united in marriage November 28, 1868, to Miss Sarah Caroline Payne, who was born in Salamonie Township, Huntington County, a daughter of William and Charity(Swain)Payne,her mother being a daughter of John and Elizabeth Swain. Mrs. Huffman's parents were among the early settlers of Huntington County, coming to this State by team. They lived in Huntington County until their death, the mother dying April 10, 1861 and the father dying January 19, 1864. They were the parents of seven children- John Wilson, born January 22,1841, died August 11,1855; Isaac Baxter, born November 26,1842, resides in East Warren; Elizabeth Catherine, born January 5, 1845, died November 7,1864; Mahala Jane, born August 20,1848, died October 3,1874; Sarah Caroline, born November 2,1850, wife of our subject; David Franklin, born January 10,1853, lives in Salamonie Township, and William Low, born June 30,1854, died September 4, 1855.

Mr. and Mrs. Huffman are the parents of three children-Charles Melville, born September 2,1869; Isaac Franklin, born January 28,1871, and Austin Ralph, born December 17,1873. Shortly after his marriage, John J. Huffman, the subject of this sketch, removed to Huntington County, where he lived on rented land in Salamonie Township from the spring to the fall of that year. He then rented land in another part of that township, on which he resided three years, when he returned to Wells County, and after living three months in Chester Township, he came to Jackson Township, where he made his home for three years. He then returned to Salamonie Township, Huntington County, where he has bought eighty acres, on which he has since made his home. Since then he has added twenty acres to his original purchase, his farm now containing 100 acres of choice land. In the spring of 1885, he erected a handsome two-story residence, 30x42 feet in size, and in the spring of 1887 he built his present, fine commodious barn. He is a practical farmer, as his surroundings plainly indicate, and by his quiet, unassuming manners and honorable dealings, he has gained the confidence and esteem of the entire community. Mr. and Mrs. Huffman are members of the Pleasant Hill Christian church. Politically, he is a Democrat. Post-office, Warren, Huntington County.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 1001-1002.
Contributed by R J Meredith

Levi Huffman, an enterprising farmer and stock-raiser of Jackson Township, residing on section 3, was born in Jackson Township, Wells County, Indiana, October 20, 1850, a son of Henry and Catherine (Baker) Huffman, who were old and honored pioneers of the county. He was reared on the home farm, and has always followed the avocation of a farmer. He was married December 31, 1874, to Miss Martha Ann Coleman, who was born in Salamonie township, Huntington County, Indiana, a daughter of William and Mary Ann (McAfee) Coleman, and to this union have been born two children -- Ardella May and Josie Alma. Mr. Huffman's first purchase was forty acres of wild timbered land in Blackford County, Indiana, to which he afterward added forty acres. He subsequently sold his Blackford County land and bought 170 acres of the farm where he now resides, of which about 130 acres was cleared. He lived with his parents about a year after his marriage, when he located on his farm in Jackson township, but in the spring preceding their death, in 1884, he returned to the old homestead, where he has since resided. He is now the owner of 288 acres of valuable land, which is located in Jackson and Chester townships, and has about 230 acres cleared and under improvement. In connection with his general farming he devotes considerable attention to stock-raising, in which enterprise he is meeting with success. In politics Mr. Huffman casts his suffrage with the Republican party. He and his wife are members of the German Baptist church.

Mrs. Huffman's father was born on the ocean while his parents were emigrating from Germany. He was reared in Preble County, Ohio, and was there married to Miss Mary Ann McAfee, a native of Preble County. They were the parents of seven sons and three daughters -- Daniel, James, Andre, Jacob, Josiah, David, William (deceased), Catherine, wife of Harvey Gephart; Margaret, wife of Lemuel Colbert, and Mrs. Huffman. Mr. and Mrs. Coleman were among the first settlers of this part of the country, coming by team from Ohio to Huntington County, where the settled in Salamonie township, across the line from Wells County. Mr. Coleman had previously entered the land and put up a shanty, in which he and his wife lived until their death. Their nearest neighbor in the early days of their settlement lived sixteen miles from them. Mrs. Coleman died February 28, 1869, her husband surviving until February 24, 18--[not legible]. Both were members of the Presbyterian church, and respected members of society. Politically, Mr. Coleman affiliated with the Republican party until his death.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 998-999.
Contributed by Tammy Rable

Among the enterprising men of affairs whose life and character are familiar to nearly every citizen of Wells county, the name of Levi Huffman stands out clear and sharp. Distinctly a progressive man and as such deeply interested in everything pertaining to the material advancement of the county, and the promotion of its industrial growth, he fills no insignificant place in public esteem, but on the contrary enjoys much more than local repute in the various vocations with which he is identified. Mr. Huffman is a native of Wells county and the son of Henry and Catharine (BAKER) Huffman, the father born in Clark county, Ohio, and the mother in the state of Pennsylvania. The father of Henry was Adam Huffman, one of the earliest settlers of Clark county; Mrs. Huffman was the daughter of Adam Baker, a representative of one of the oldest families in the part of Pennsylvania where he lived.

In 1840 Henry Huffman came to Wells county, Indiana, and entered the land in Jackson township now owned by the subject and at once began the preliminary work of clearing a farm. Up to that time the land was as nature created it and the first thing necessary was some kind of a habitation for the family. In a short time a log cabin of the conventional type was erected and it served the purpose for which intended until replaced in 1867 by a frame, one of the first buildings of the kind in the township of Jackson. When Mr. Huffman took possession of his place the woods were so dense that a person going fifteen rods from the house was in danger of getting lost. To clear away such growth and prepare the ground for tillage required an immense amount of hard labor, but by patient endurance the forest gradually disappeared before the woodman’s sturdy strokes until in the course of time nearly all of the ninety and a half acres was in a fine state of cultivation. Later Mr. Huffman added to his original purchase until his place included one hundred and seventy acres of as fertile soil as the county could boast, and the farm is now considered one of the most valuable pieces of land in this part of the state. He made many substantial improvements and soon took high rank with the leading agriculturists of his township.

Mr. Huffman died on this place in the fall of 1883, just four weeks and three days after the departure of his faithful companion. This was his second wife, his first having died a number of years previously, after bearing him four children, Jacob, Catherine, Sallie and Peter, all living at the present time. The maiden name of the first wife was Elizabeth EVERSOLE. By the second marriage, to which reference is made in a preceding paragraph, Mr. Huffman was the father of ten children, whose names are as follows: Frederick, George, Henry, Lydia, John, Samuel, Levi, Eliza, Eva and Mary, all but the last named living. The death of but one in a family of fourteen children after they had grown to the years of maturity is perhaps unparalleled in the history of any other family in the state. It is evidence of a strong and vigorous ancestry, supplemented by correct habits of living on the part of the descendants, all of the children being fine specimens of physical manhood and womanhood.

The birth of Levi Huffman occurred October 20, 1850, on the farm which he now owns and occupies. He inherited a strong constitution and by faithful outdoor exercise early developed a vigor of body which enabled him while still a youth to perform a man’ labor at all kinds of farm work. In the winter time he attended the public schools of Jackson township until his twentieth year, spending the other seasons as his father’s assistant in carrying on the farm. He commenced life for himself by working a part of the home place on the shares, in addition to which he also rented land of his neighbors and in this way succeeded within a few years in getting a very good start in the world. He continued to live under the parental roof until his marriage, which was solemnized on the 31st of December, 1874, with Miss Martha COOLMAN, daughter of William and Mary A. (McKEE) Coolman, natives of Ohio, and early settlers of Huntington county, Indiana. Soon after taking to himself a wife Mr. Huffman moved into a little old log house on a forty-acre tract of land which his father subsequently purchased and during the seven years following he lived on this place and prospered in his labors. At the expiration of that time he took charge of the home farm for the purpose of looking after his father, who, by reason of old age and infirmities incident thereto was no longer able to manage the place or attend to his business affairs. With filial devotion and affection most commendable, the subject continued to care for his parents as long as they lived and after their death he sold a piece of land in Blackford county which he had purchased the meantime and bought the old family homestead. Since taking possession in 1883 Mr. Huffman has made the farm one of the finest in the township and, as already stated, he soon became one of the most enterprising farmers and stockraisers in the county of Wells. among the many valuable improvements which he has made are a large and commodious barn, erected in 1884, and the fine modern residence, built five years later, besides the other buildings which every first class farm contains. At the present time Mr. Huffman owns four hundred acres of land, all lying in the Indiana oil fields and on this are forty-seven producing wells which yield him the handsome income of seven hundred dollars per month. From this source alone he has become a wealthy man, the returns from his agricultural and live stock interests also adding very materially to the large fortune now in his possession. Mr. Huffman is a careful and conservative business man and has made many judicious investments, all of which return him a liberal margin. he owns a half interest in a large business block in the town of Warren and a number of dwellings and other property in Montpelier, and looks forward to making still greater investments in country and city real estate. He is now chiefly engaged in looking after his large business interests, but devotes a considerable portion of his time to the breeding and raising of fine live stock, in which industry he has a wide and growing reputation. Mr. Huffman pays especial attention to shorthorn cattle, of which he keeps on hand a herd of from twenty-fine to thirty-five, all first-class animals, many of them representing hundreds of dollars in value; he has also met with most encouraging success raising Poland China and Duroc breeds of hogs, supplying many of his neighbors and others with this valuable stock, besides marketing a large number every year, thus materially increasing his income.

With all his success as a farmer and business man, Mr. Huffman is quiet and unassuming in demeanor, having no desire to boast of his achievements, realizing that worldly wealth does not constitute truest riches. In the best sense of the term he is a Christian and as such looks upon material possession only as a means of accomplishing good among his fellow men. A number of years ago he united with the German Baptist church and began that religious life which has since characterized him and he is now one of the most active workers in the congregation with which he worships. His wife is also a member of the same communion and in many ways has demonstrated her faith in good works among those with whom she mingles. Mr. and Mrs. Huffman have been kind and charitable to the worthy pool and no legitimate enterprise for the moral advancement of the community has ever appealed for their assistance in vain. They are highly esteemed by the people of their neighborhood and those who know them best are the most profuse in their praise. Mr. Huffman reads much and has decided opinions on the leading questions of the day. He has been a pronounced Democrat all his life and takes an active interest in local and general politics, never missing an election, unless unavoidably detained, nor hesitating to express his opinions upon the questions at issue.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Huffman has been blessed with two children, the older of whom is Ardella, now the wife of Watson HAYWARD, who lives on the subject’s farm in Huntington county; Josephine A., the younger, married Daniel Roscoe HARDMAN and lives with her parents, her husband having charge of the home farm. Mr. Huffman has in his possession an old parchment deed, dated August 5, 1837, and bearing the signature of Martin Van Buren.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, p. 192.
Transcribed by Colleen Rutledge

LEWIS HUFFMAN, one of the prosperous agriculturists of Jackson Township, was born in Clarke County, Ohio, the date of his birth being June 6, 1844. When two years of age he was taken by his parents, John and Susannah (Myers) Huffman, to Huntington County, Indiana, and there he grew to manhood, being reared to the avocation of a farmer, which he has made his life-work. January 4, 1868, he was married to Miss Miami Monnsey, a native of Wells County, Indiana, born in Liberty Township, a daughter of John and Caroline (Stratton) Monnsey. Her mother died when she was a child of ten years, and her father died April 30, 1886. They were among the early settlers of Wells County, and Mr. Monnsey saw the transformation of the county from a wilderness into its present condition. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Huffman--David P., John Scott, Franklin C. and one who died in infancy. David P., their eldest son, was educated in the schools of his township and at Bluffton, and when only thirteen years old passed the necessary examination and received a certificate. Mr. Huffman lived with his mother in Salamonie Township, Huntington County, until one year after his marriage, when he moved to Jackson Township, Wells County, settling there in January, 1869, on a tract of eighty acres which he had bought. His land when he settled on it was covered with a heavy growth of timber except the small space he had cleared on which he erected the hewed-log cabin, which is still standing. He resided in this cabin until 1881, when he erected his present residence, which was built with a view to comfort and convenience. He has added to his original purchase until his home farm now consists of 117 acres, all with the exception of about eighteen acres being cleared and improved, the result of years of toil and persevering energy. In politics Mr. Huffman is identified with the Democratic party. He and his wife are members of the German Baptist church, and he is a deacon in the church of that denomination at Sugar Grove.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 799-800.

SAMUEL HUFFMAN, a son of Henry and Catherine (Baker) Huffman, was born on the old Huffman homestead in Jackson Township, Wells County, Indiana, January 3, 1859. He was reared in his native township, remaining at home until 1884, when he bought forty acres of timber land in Blackford County, to which he afterward added forty acres. In 1888 he bought 100 acres in Jackson Township, where he now lives, aud in 1885 built a fine, substantial residence. He has added to his estate until he now has 180 acres, 100 of which are under cultivation. In politics Mr. Huffman is a Democrat, and takes an active interest in the affairs of his party. He has served his township as supervisor two years. He was married in March, 1882, to Lela Miller, a native of Jackson Township, daughter of Joseph and Nancy Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Huffman have two children, Isaac and Eldridge. They are members of the Pleasant Hill Christian Church.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 1007.

David Huss, a soldier of the Union army, enlisted in the year 1862. He became a member of Company E., 91st Illinois Infantry, serving until the close of the war. His parents are Hiram and Catherine (Myers) Huss. He was born in Wells County, Indiana, in 1841, and was married to Martha A., daughter of Daniel T. and Lydia (Dart) Dayton, in Kendall County, Illinois, in the year 1869. She was born in the State of New York, in 1846. Their children are Hiram Roscoe, born February 22, 1870, and Elmer Ellsworth, June 24, 1871. David Huss, a resident of Harrison township, deals in groceries, drugs, and notions. Address, Reiffsburg, 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. 208.

A gentleman of ripe scholarship and marked executive ability, whose life is being consecrated to the cause of humanity, in one of the most exacting of professions, it is eminently proper in this connection to revert briefly to the life career of Prof. A. R. Huyette, the efficient and popular principal of the Keystone high school. Prof. Huyette has become one of the leading educators in the county of Wells and in addition to his work here his labors have won him wide publicity in other parts of the state where his talents as a teacher have been exercised. As the name indicates the Huyette family is of French origin, the subject on the maternal side inheriting the blood of a long line of Irish ancestry also. Joseph R. Huyette, the Professor's father, was born in Pennsylvania July 24, 1838, and when a young man was married, in that state, to Miss Louisa Gray, whose birth occurred on the 19th day of January, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Huyette remained in their native commonwealth until the fall of 1861, when they disposed of their interests there and moved to Huntington county, Indiana, settling in the township of Huntington where they lived the ensuing two years. At the expiration of that time they changed their abode to Clear Creek township, in the same county, and still live there, Mr. Huyette following the pursuit of agriculture as a vocation. Joseph R. and Louisa Huyette are the parents of six children, whose names are as follows: Anna, wife of James B. De Armitt, ex-superintendent of the Huntington county schools; Juniata, the wife of E. E. Dinius, a farmer of Huntington county, is a graduate of the State Normal School at Terre Haute and for a number of years prior to her marriage was considered one of the successful teachers of the Huntington city schools; Fanny, the third of the family, married William F. Rice and still resides in the county of Huntington, her husband being a prosperous farmer of Union township; Arthur R., of this review, is the fourth in order of succession, and after him comes Jessie A., who achieved considerable distinction as a teacher, having taught for some years in the district schools and now holds an important position in the city schools of Huntington; she was graduated from the Huntington high school and prepared herself for her chosen calling in the State Normal School at Terre Haute; Walter G., the youngest of the children, lives at home and assists his father in cultivating the farm.

Prof. Arthur R. Huyette is a native of Huntington county, Indiana, and dates his birth from the 3rd day of November, 1871. When old enough he became a pupil of the district school not far from his home and after completing the prescribed course, entered the Clear Creek township high school. His was essentially a studious nature and he early decided that there was open before him a field of great usefulness in the teacher's profession. Accordingly he began preparing himself for his chosen work by a thorough course of intellectual and professional training. Leaving the township high school, he attended the spring term of the State Normal and the following winter (1890-91) taught successfully in his own native county. He divided his time between teaching of winter seasons and attending the spring terms of the State Normal until 1893, when he entered that institution with the object in view of continuing his studies, uninterrupted, until completing the full course. He was graduated two years later with an honorable record and in the fall and winter of 1895-6 taught a term in Huntington city schools, being elected the following year principal of the graded schools of Bristol, Indiana. After filling that position two years Professor Huyette had charge of literature and mathematics in the Huntington Business and Normal University, but in a short time resigned the place to accept the principalship of the Keystone high school, entering upon his duties in the latter capacity in the fall of 1898. He has held his present position for five years, during which time the school under his charge has made rapid advancement, ranking with the most efficient high schools of northern Indiana in its course of study and thoroughness of instruction. As a teacher Prof. Huyette has few equals in the county of Wells and his name is widely and favorably known in educational circles throughout the northern part of the state. He is a fine scholar, a polished gentleman and possesses the necessary traits of character to insure success in the noble calling to which he proposes to consecrate his life and energies. A close and critical student, he keeps close touch with the trend of modern educational thought and his laudable ambition has ever been to make himself an efficient teacher and stand in the front rank of his profession. To this end he maintains a lively interest in his studies, which he prosecutes in addition to his regular duties in the school room, being at this time a senior in the work of the Indiana University, from which institution his degree will soon be forthcoming.

Prof. Huyette was married on the 9th of August, 1900, to Miss Anna S., daughter of Hiram and Rebecca (Briner) France, of Huntington. Mrs. Huyette is one of the three children born to these parents, she and her sister Emma being twins. They were both graduated at the same time from the Huntington high school, after which they engaged in teaching first in the country and later in the city of Huntington. Subsequently Emma became the wife of Charles Raymond, of Huntington county; Anna continued educational work until her marriage at the date referred to above, spending the last five years while thus engaged in the schools of East Chicago; meantime she had graduated from the Indiana State Normal at Terre Haute and achieved distinction as a scholar as well as a large measure of success as a teacher. Nettie, the third sister, also a well educated lady, is now the wife of Sherman Fetters, a railroad man living in Andrews, Indiana. The mother of Mrs. Huyette died when her eldest daughters were about nine years of age. The father lives at Huntington. Prof. and Mrs. Huyette's marriage has been blessed with one child, a son by the name of Kenneth H., whose birth occurred on the 25th of November, 1901. The subject and wife are active members of the United Brethren church and socially they move in the best society circles of the community where they live.

Politically Prof. Huyette is a zealous supporter of the Democratic party and speaks with no uncertain meaning when maintaining the soundness of his principles. He cast his first presidential ballot when Grover Cleveland was elected for the second time, and from that time to the present has taken a prominent part in local and general politics in the different places of his residence. He holds fraternal relations with Bristol Lodge No. 369, Knights of Pythias, and it has been his aim to make his life correspond to the beautiful and sublime principles which this excellent order inculcates. Prof. Huyette is regarded as one of the leading men of Keystone and his career professionally and as a citizen has gained him the confidence and high esteem of the public. He has hosts of warm personal friends and is making more every year by the urbanity of his kindly nature, while his advancement in his profession has won for him an honorable name among the leading educators in this section of the state.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 370-372.