JACOB MINNICH, one of the old and honored pioneers of Wells County, residing on section 2, Jackson Township, was born in Clarke County, Ohio, July 24, 1814, a son of Peter and Magdalena (Garver) Minnich. The father was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and when a boy went with his parents to Rockingham County, Virginia, where he grew to manhood, and was there married to Barbara Myers. After his marriage he removed to Clarke County, Ohio, where his wife died. He was subsequently married to Miss Magdalena Garver, a native of Pennsylvania. They lived in Clarke County until their death, the father dying January, 1814. His widow was again married some seven years later, and died about the year 1861. Jacob Minnich, the subject of this sketch, was reared to manhood in his native county, where he was married January 29, 1835, to Miss Christiana Ebersole, who was born in Clarke County, Ohio, a daughter of Jacob and Salome (Keller) Ebersole, natives of Pennsylvania. They removed to Clarke County from Rockingham County, Virginia, where they resided until their death. In 1841 Mr. and Mrs. Minnich packed their household effects and came by team to Indiana, locating on a tract of 160 acres in Jackson Township, Wells County, which Mr. Minnich had entered in 1836. The spring prior to his removal he had come here and cleared a small part of his land and built a cabin for his family. Game was then abundant. There was a corn-cracker at Warren, but they were obliged to go long distances to mill, especially when the water was low. Salt ranged in price from $10 to $13 a barrel until the canal was put through, when they had to go to Huntington for it. Mrs. Minnich died in 1855, leaving at her death six children—Sallie married George E. Herrold, and is now deceased; John, residing in Jackson Township; Phoebe, wife of Peter Wright, of Bartholomew County; Mary, wife of Madison Irwin a merchant at Warren, Indiana; Peter, residing in Jackson Township, and Michael, living on the old homestead. Mr. Minnich was again married in March, 1856, to Mrs. Annie (Wright) Hamilton, widow of Alexander Hamilton. She is also deceased, her death taking place in March, 1885. Mr. Minnich has been identified with the interests of Wells County nearly a half century, and has seen it change from a state of nature into its present prosperous condition, scattered over with thriving towns and villages, and well cultivated farms. He early took an interest in the religious advancement of his neighborhood, and although there was then no regular organized congregation, services were often held at his house. The roads in the county were very bad at that time, and even the road used by the whole settlement, going toward Huntington, was often in a terrible condition, and at such times it would take about three days to make the trip to Huntington and return. Mr. Minnich is now surrounded by all the necessary comforts of life, which he has gained by years of persevering toil and energy.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 965-966.

JOHN MINNICH, a son of Jacob and Christiana (Ebersole) Minnich, was born in Clarke County, Ohio, the date of his birth being November 11, 1835. He was but six years old when brought by his parents to Wells County, but old enough to form a clear idea of the events of those pioneer days. Within a week after coming here his father was taken sick, and through all that long, hard winter was unable to do work of any kind, and all that time until the 4th of March their horses stood in the deep snow hitched to the wagon, when they raised a round-log stable. About the end of March, 1842, the father was able to commence work, and during that season took part in twenty-one log-rollings and raising, assisting new-comers to make a home in the wilderness. He brought with him two barrels of flour from Ohio, and this was all they had until they raised their own wheat some eighteen months later. There was only one road in his neighborhood at that time leading to Huntington, and this was by no means plainly marked, and led off into all directions through the woods, and was often in an almost impassable condition. Mr Minnich taught his son John to drive team when but seven years old, and he hauled the first corn his father raised to Huntington. There was no school in his neighborhood until the second winter, and this was the first school our subject attended. The school was held in a pole shanty, about forty rods from the present Baptist church. The window was covered with greased paper, and when one of the boys would throw a snow-ball through it the next problem would be where to get another newspaper, as only two men in the entire neighborhood took newspapers at that time. The furniture consisted of a long plank under the above-mentioned window, which was supported by two pegs driven into the wall, and this was used as a writing desk, while the seats consisted of logs split in two and set up on pegs. The fire-place was opposite the window, and was built entirely of sticks and mud, and the back-logs burned in it were carried in with handspikes by the four largest boys. John Minnich was reared amid such pioneer scenes, and was early in life inured to hard work, assisting his father to clear and improve the farm. He was married November 6, 1857, to Miss Mary Huffman, a daughter of John and Susan (Myers) Huffman, she being a native of Clarke County, Ohio. To this union were born four children: Lewis, Jacob, Oliver and one who died in infancy. Beside their own children, they have provided homes for three others--Jacob Wolfgang, whom they reared from ten years of age; Rachel Bradfield, who is now the wife of William Honeycult, and Daisy Neff, aged twelve years, who is now living with them. Mr. Minnich lived on the home farm of his parents until about two years after his marriage, when in 1859 he removed to eighty acres of land on section 12, Jackson Township, which he had bought in February, 1858. This land was heavily covered with timber, not a tree having been cut. The first work done here he and his father made 2,200 pounds of maple sugar. In 1858 he cleared twenty acres of his land, and that winter put up a round-pole house and stable and had a well dug, and the following spring located on the place. That season he cleared, fenced and planted in corn six acres, and from this start he has made one of the best farms in his neighborhood. His farm now consists of 160 acres, 116 acres of which is cleared and under fine cultivation, the surroundings showing the owner to be a thorough, practical farmer. He erected his present handsome, substantial residence in the spring of 1874, he having followed carpentering for six years previous. In his political views he is a Democrat, but sometimes votes independent of party ties. Though not an office seeker, he has served as supervisor for two terms, to the satisfaction of his constituents. He has been a member of the German Baptist church at Sugar Grove for thirty years, being one of the first members, and was trustee and treasurer at the time of the erection of the church building. He has been a deacon in the church for twenty years.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 973-974.

PETER MINNICH, an active and progressive agriculturist, engaged in farming on section 12, Jackson Township, was born in Wells County, Indiana, May 10, 1844, a son of Jacob and Christiana (Ebersole) Minnich, an old and honored pioneer of the county. Peter grew up to manhood amid the scenes attending the life of the early settlers, and passed his youth in assisting his father clear his farm, and in attending the rude pole cabin school of his neighborhood, where he received his education. He was married May 29, 1864, to Miss Martha Jane Clampitt, a native of North Carolina, a daughter of George and Mahala Clampitt. Her parents came to Indiana in 1858, and settled in Huntington County, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Minnich, of whom six are still living: Rosa Ellen, Emma Elsie, Nancy Catherine, Charles Emery, Nellie Dell and Perry Oscar. A son named George Hill is deceased. Mr. Minnich made his home with his parents until three years after his marriage, when he bought eighty acres of the farm where he has since resided. It was then in a state of nature, entirely unimproved, and after clearing a small space he erected a frame house, which is still standing. By industry and good management he has added to his original purchase until his farm now contains 120 acres of land, of which 103 acres is cleared and improved. In politics Mr. Minnich casts his suffrage with the Republican party. He is a member of the German Baptist church, and has been superintendent of the Sabbath-schools at Sugar Grove for four years.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 983-984.

The subject of this sketch is a native of Huntington county, Indiana, and the son of Joseph and Rachael A. (Searles) Minniear. Joseph's parents were Isaac and Lydia Minniear, natives of Virginia and Ohio. They moved to Huntington county as early as 1838, but after a residence there of about twelve years changed their abode to the county of Wabash, where they spent the remainder of their lives, Isaac dying May 9, 1855, his wife surviving him until about the year 1870. To this couple were born fourteen children, whose names are as follows: Lucinda, Charity, Minerva, Nancy, Tabitha, John, Isaac, Charles, Frances, William, Mary, Blufford, Joseph and Lydia.

Joseph Minniear, the thirteenth of the family, was reared to maturity in the counties of Huntington and Wabash, and by reason of the death of his father was early in life obliged to assume the responsibility of caring for his widowed mother and provide means for his own support. On the 4th day of July, 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Rachael Ann Searles, who was born near Lebanon, Ohio, June 6, 1841, the daughter of William and Charlotte Searles, the father a native of England, the mother of Ohio. William Searles was born about one hundred miles from London and grew to young manhood in the land of his nativity. His mother having found a home in the United States, William and his brother Thomas decided about ten years after she had left England to join her in the new world. Accordingly they made their way to the harbor from which they were to sail and on applying for passage found all but one berth engaged for the voyage. Which of the two should have this berth was now the question. The brothers had a long and bitter controversy over the matter and would perhaps have settled it by a resort to fisticuffs had not the captain interfered by persuading Thomas, who was the older, to wait for the next vessel. In due time he took passage, but was ship-wrecked and for some time the passengers and crew were without food, other than a mere pittance of tallow candle allotted to each as his day's rations. The vessel was finally sighted and towed to harbor, but the sufferings endured by the immigrants had almost reduced them to living skeletons. William Searles settled near Lebanon, Ohio, and for a number of years thereafter worked at the shoemaker's trade. His first wife as Anna Dehaven, who bore him three children: Theophilus, Alpheus and John, the last named deceased; by his second wife, whose maiden name was Charlotte Parker, a native of Ohio, he was the father of children as follows: F. M., Jasper, Jonah, Joseph, David and Rachael. Mr. Searles finally ceased working at his trade and moved to Huntington county, Indiana, where he entered a tract of government land, from which in the course of a few years he developed a good farm. He and his wife died on this place a number of years ago and their memories are still cherished by their descendants and by the people of the community who formerly knew them. Ever since his marriage Joseph Minniear has lived in Huntington county and is today regarded as one of the enterprising farmers and progressive men of his township. He is the father of nine children.

Lewis A. Minniear was born October 10, 1869, on the farm which his maternal grandfather purchased from the government and it was there that his childhood and early youth were spent. He entered the district schools at the proper age, continued to attend them at intervals until his twenty-first year and after attaining his majority took a course in the Central Normal College at Danville. Subsequently, in the fall of 1889, he entered the Bluffton Normal School, where he prosecuted his studies one term, at the end of which time he again took up the public school work, in which he was graduated the following year. Meantime he became acquainted with the more practical affairs of life by beginning to work on a farm when but thirteen years of age, receiving fifty cents a day for his services. Subsequently, he labored about three years at fifteen dollars per month, during which time he turned over to his mother the greater part of his earnings, retaining for himself barely sufficient to pay for his clothing and to meet a few other necessary expenses. In the fall of 1886 his wages were increased to sixteen dollars per month and during the succeeding six years he worked diligently with the object in view of ultimately purchasing land and becoming an agriculturist upon his own responsibility. Meantime, on the 10th of December, 1893, he was united in marriage to Miss Viola P. Clark, daughter of J. I. and Nancy A. (Helm) Clark, and in the latter part of the same month moved into a little old log cabin which stood on the farm he now owns and cultivates. In due time this primitive structure gave place tot he comfortable modern dwelling which the family now occupies, Mr. Minniear the meanwhile bringing his place to a successful state of tillage by careful cultivation and a thorough system of tile drainage. He has studied closely the science of agriculture, understanding the nature of soils and their adaptability to the different products, and by a judicious rotation of crops never fails to realize abundant returns from his labors. Like other successful farms of the county, he has not been backward in the matter of stock raising, his breeds of Hereford cattle and fine hogs being among the best in the township, in addition to which he also devotes considerable attention to domestic fowls, being especially fortunate in raising Plymouth Rocks and Rosecomb Leghorn breeds. Mr. Minniear is indebted to his own energy and superior management for what advancement he has made, as he began life for himself with no aid from any other source. His well directed industry has been crowned with a large measure of success, and this, too, when confronted by conditions calculated to discourage one of less will power. He has always looked upon the bright side of life and is optimistic enough to believe that honest toil, when directed by sound judgment, cannot fail in the end of rewarding those by whom it is exercised. Mr. Minniear reads much and is one of the well-posted men of his community. He believes in education and moral training, uses his best endeavor to promote these interests in his neighborhood and also lends his influence to all movements having for their ends the material prosperity of the township in which he lives.

Mr. and Mrs. Minniear have three children, namely: Elmer V., born September 1, 1894; Lloyd, born June 7, 1899, and Clarence H., whose birth took place on the 21st day of December, 1901. Since his twenty-second year Mr. Minniear has been a faithful and consistent member of the Methodist Protestant church, filling a number of important official positions in Beemer Chapel, with which he is identified, including among others those of steward, class leaders and superintendent of the Sunday school. He is an active church worker and a liberal contributor to the support of the gospel both at home and abroad. Mrs. Minniear united with the church when eighteen years old and has lived an earnest, devoted Christian life from that time to the present.

At the age of seventeen Mr. Minniear was initiated into the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Warren, but at this time his membership is with Liberty Center Lodge. He has passed all the chairs in the latter organization and has the reputation of being one of its most earnest and zealous workers. Politically he was born and reared a Democrat and has always remained loyal to the old historic party of Jefferson and Jackson, defending its principles at all times and laboring earnestly for its success when campaigns are in progress. He has never asked nor desired office, but taken an active interest in the selection of candidates and spares no reasonable effort in working for their success at the polls.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 528-530.

George Mixell, hotel and livery keeper at Uniondale, was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, December 16, 1853, son of Daniel and Elizabeth(Martin)Mixell, natives of Pennsylvania. In 1854, the family removed to Stark County, and a few months later to Wells County, Indiana, settling at Bluffton. Four years afterward they removed to a farm near the then small town. In 1860 the father purchased a small farm in Rock Creek Township, where he built a house and passed the remainder of his days. His wife is living with her son , Joseph. Their children were- Lucy, Catherine, George, Joseph and Daniel. Catherine married David Scott, who is deceased; Lucy married Charles Osgood, and is also deceased; Joseph married Harriet Wolf, and resides on the old homestead. George was employed in the milling busuness in this county several years during his early life. November 27, 1826, he married Miss Sadie, daughter of Benjamin and Susan Netterfield, Rev. McCormack performing the ceremony. They commenced their married life in the little village of Greenwood, and the next year removed to a farm in Rock Creek Township. One year later they returned to Greenwood and in 1883, Mr. Mixell built a commodious residence in Uniondale. In 1884 its hospitable doors were thrown open to the traveling public, and it became the first hotel in the thriving village of Uniondale. In connection with this hotel Mr.Mixell has a nice livery, and enjoys the distinction of being the first in that business. Mr.and Mrs. Mixell have four children- Effie and Lucy are living, Freddie and Bessie are deceased. Lucy, the youngest, was born in the new hotel, and Effie on the farm in Rock Creek Township. The two deceased were born in Greenwood. Mr. Mixell is a popular host, and his estimable wife is one of the best landladies. Their home affords fine accomodations for a village of the size of Uniondale, and the weary traveler finds there a warm welcome and the best of cheer. Mrs. Mixell was born in Ashtabula County,Ohio, near Jefferson. She had eleven brothers and sisters, all of whom came to Indiana are living. Harmon Northfield, the eldest brother, held the fortunate number that drew $15,000 cash in the Louisiana State Lottery. He is a resident of Greenwood, where the mother still lives.
NOTE: The marriage date of George Mixell was printed on the page as 1826. This is an obvious typographical error.-R.M.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 1001.
Contributed by RJMeredith

Among Indiana's distinguished sons and leading men of affairs the name of Hon. Levi Mock, of Bluffton, has long been pre-eminent. Of commanding intellectual ability and eminent professional attainments, he has been a forceful factor in the legal circles of the state, while as a director of thought and moulder of opinion he is duly recognized and appreciated by his fellow citizens of Bluffton and Wells county. Paternally Mr. Mock is descended from German ancestry and inherits in a marked degree the sturdy characteristics and sterling qualities for which that nationality is distinguished among the peoples of the world. His great-grandfather, Devaulter Mock, was a native of the Fatherland, came to America in the time of the colonies and settled in North Carolina, where he reared a family and lived the life of an honest, industrious and, to a considerable extent, a successful tiller of the soil. Among his children was a son by the name of Daniel, whose birth occurred in North Carolina, and whose marriage was also solemnized in that state. Shortly after taking to himself a wife Daniel Mock moved to Ohio, thence a little later migrated to what is now Randolph county, Indiana, but at that time the western verge of civilization, settling in the beautiful valley of the Mississinnewa, where he afterwards entered lands and developed a farm and became one of the most enterprising and progressive men of the community which he assisted to establish. It is a well authenticated fact that Mr. Mock was the third white man to locate a home within the present limits of Randolph county, and the part he took in the early growth and development of the country entitles him to specific mention as one of its most aggressive pioneers. Physically he was almost a giant and moved among his fellows as one born to command. Five feet ten inches in height and measuring forty-five inches around the chest and correspondingly strong, he was a remarkable specimen of symmetrically developed manhood, being as honest and honorable in his dealings and as unsullied in character as his bodily powers were vigorous. Possessing excellent judgment and strict integrity, he became useful to the early settlers in the adjustment of their business affairs and his advice was eagerly sought and acted upon in matters of more than ordinary moment involving a knowledge of law. Daniel Mock was three times married and had children by each wife, the majority of whom grew to mature years and became useful in their various spheres of life. Enjoying superb health, he lived to a good old age in possession of his physical and mental faculties, having never lost a tooth nor at any time attempted to aid his eyesight by the use of glasses. He departed this life at the age of eighty-four, honored and esteemed by all who knew him, leaving to his descendants the memory of a name untarnished by the slightest suspicion of anything savoring of dishonor.

Levi Mock was born April 20, 1840, in Randolph county, Indiana, and to him fell the good fortune of being reared in close touch with nature on the farm, that fruitful soil from which has sprung much of the nation's political sinew and moral fiber. With the exception of the time spent as a soldier, he remained on the home place until his twenty-sixth year, attending to the varied duties of the farm in the summer and of winter seasons prosecuting his studies in the public schools of the neighborhood. After completing the usual course he secured a teacher's license and for some years divided his time between teaching and attending school, devoting the fall months to the latter and the winter and early spring to the farm. Blessed with excellent parentage, young Mock grew up with intelligent conceptions of life and the dignity of honest, honorable endeavor. Inheriting from his father the splendid physical and mental qualities for which the paternal branch of the family had long been noted, and from his mother equally marked intellectual traits, softened perhaps by the gentle feminine graces which were among her distinguishing characteristics, he early developed vigor of body and independence of mind which enabled him to formulate plans for his future course of life and action. With a well defined object in view, he determined to make the most of his time and circumstances and that he succeeded in carrying out these purposes and realizing in full the ambitious desires of his youthful days is attested by the distinguished course he has since pursued as an influential factor in the political arena and that eminent position which he has attained in professional circles and in the world of affairs. When the national atmosphere became overcast with the approaching clouds of civil war, Mr. Mock did not long discuss the advisability of tendering his services to the government in its hour of need. Animated by patriotic motives, he laid aside his studies and on the 14th of August, 1862, enlisted in Company E, Eighty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which formed part of the Fourth Army Corps. He saw considerable active service in West Virginia and Kentucky, sharing with his comrades the vicissitudes and fortunes of war until failing health obliged him to leave the ranks and take treatment in a hospital. For a period of sixty-six days he was closely confined to one room and such were the sad effects which disease made upon his erstwhile vigorous constitution that at the end of that time he was pronounced unfit for further effective duty; accordingly in April, 1863, he received his discharge and as soon as possible thereafter he returned to his old home, where, under more salutary influences and surroundings, he in due time regained a goodly portion of his wonted health.

As soon as sufficiently recovered Mr. Mock resumed his studies, which, with teaching, engaged his time until 1866, when he began reading law under the guidance of his uncle, Hon. Enos L. Watson, of Winchester. Much of his study was prosecuted at home during his hours of leisure and with such assiduity did he apply himself to his books that his Sundays were devoted exclusively to their perusal and not infrequently would he pore over his text of nights until the still small hours of the morning admonished him to recuperate his jaded energies with a little sleep. Meanwhile he would recite to his uncle at stated intervals, receive his instruction, and in this way he continued his investigations in the realm of legal science until sufficiently advanced to engage in the practice. Mr. Mock's preliminary studies covered a period of about two years, at the expiration of which time he located at Bluffton where, in February, 1869, he was formally admitted to the bar. Here he soon made his presence felt, not alone in his profession, but also in local politics as is attested by the fact of his election as mayor of the city within nine months after his arrival. So ably did he discharge the duties of this position that he was retained in the office by successive reelections from the year 1869 to 1873 inclusive, and in 1875 he was again made the city's chief executive, serving in all eight gears, the last two under the amended charter which extended the term of mayor to two years. In 1870 Mr. Mock entered into a law partnership with Hon. Joseph S. Dailey, the firm thus constituted lasting for a period of eighteen years, during which time it built up a business second in volume and importance to that of no other legal firm in northeastern Indiana, the two distinguished members easily ranking with the ablest and most successful lawyers in this section of the state. They represented either the plaintiff or defendant in nearly every important case tried in the courts of Wells county during the existence of the partnership, in addition to which their practice extended to many other counties, also to the supreme and federal courts where they added to their already firmly established reputations as masters of their profession. The firm of Dailey & Mock was dissolved by the appointment of the former to the circuit judgeship, from which time Mr. Mock was with Abe Simmons in the practice until about 1893 when he took John and George, his two sons, who have since been partners, under the name of Mock & Sons.

By the sheer force of his powerful personality, as well by reason of combining within himself the essential elements of leadership, Mr. Mock forged to the front in the councils of the Democratic party and within a short time after locating at Bluffton became an acknowledged power in local and state politics. In 1882 he was elected joint representative from the counties of Adams, Jay and Wells to the general assembly, and two years later served in the legislature from Wells and Blackford counties and in 1886 was elected from Wells county. His career as a law maker fully justified the wisdom of his choice and wild little or no exception met the high expectations of his constituents irrespective of party. He became one of the most influential members of the body and both in the committee room and on the floor did much towards moulding public thought and shaping legislation. Through his instrumentality many important laws were passed which have had a decidedly beneficial influence on the state and as a leader of the Democratic side of the house he was untiring in his efforts to strengthen party lines and promote a spirit of harmony in the organization throughout Indiana. For four years, beginning with the year 1889 and ending with 1893, Mr. Mock was a member of the board of directors of the Northern Indiana Prison at Michigan City, in which capacity his business-like methods and untiring efforts were of especial value to the state. He looked carefully after the interest of this institution and the welfare of its inmates, and took advanced grounds as to the proper management and treatment of the criminal classes. The board's report to the governor contains the following statement expressive of his views upon this important matter: "The board is of the opinion that crime is a disease resulting from heredity and environment, and that no man should be punished for what he does, but should be imprisoned to protect society, and while in prison it is the duty of the state to elevate his manhood to a higher standard if possible, which can only be done by moderate labor, kind treatment and moral suasion." This broad humanitarian view of one of the most difficult and perplexing problems that has been engaging the attention of the management of penal institutions, although in advance of the age, was not without a decided effect upon the chief executive and law-making power, for since the adoption of the report the Southern Prison has been made an infirmary, thus revolutionizing the government of the two institutions which formerly obtained.

Mr. Mock has long been interested in the agricultural development of his own and other counties and has done much to encourage and foster modern methods of farming and other industries growing out of husbandry. In 1879 he was elected president of the Wells County Agricultural Society and during his incumbency devoted much time and energy to place the organization upon a firm financial basis so that it would answer the noble purposes for which it was originally designed. Additional to the official stations already referred to, he has been identified at different times with various enterprises calculated to promote the industrial growth of Bluffton, while all movements having for their end the material prosperity of the city or county have been sure of his encouragement and support. He is indeed public spirited, taking an active interest in whatever tends to the material advancement of the community and, having implicit faith in the future of the city of his residence, has done as much if not more than any of his fellow citizens to advertise its advantages to the world as a favorable business center, a safe place wherein to invest capital and a desirable residence location.

Reference has already been made to Mr. Mock's power and influence as a politician. In every campaign his voice is heard and as a strong, logical and eloquent speaker he has few superiors on the hustings in the state. Thoroughly grounded in the basic principles of jurisprudence and familiar with the intricacies of practice, he stands with few peers as an able and conscientious lawyer, looking upon his profession as the means by which wrongs may be righted, justice done and society and the state protected. At different times he has been called to the bench and there, as before the court, his attainments have shone with peculiar luster, fully demonstrating a masterly grasp of great legal questions and an ability to render decisions in strict harmony with the letter and the spirit of the law. He served as special judge in the courts of Wells, Adams, Jay, Blackford, Huntington, Allen and Grant counties, frequently occupying the bench for weeks at a time, and while serving thus his opinions were characterized by lucidity and great legal acumen, his rulings were fair and impartial and his decisions, devoid of technical verbiage, but clear, explicit, incisive and embodying every point at issue, seldom if ever suffered reversal at the hands of the supreme court.

Personally Mr. Mock is a gentleman of unblemished reputation and the strictest integrity and his private character as well as his career in public places and as custodian of high and important trusts has always been above reproach. He is a vigorous as well as an independent thinker and has the courage of his convictions upon all subjects which he investigates. He is also strikingly original, prosecutes his researches after his own peculiar fashion and cares little for conventionalism or for the sanctity attaching to person or place by reason of artificial distinction, accident of birth or tradition. He is essentially cosmopolitan in his ideas, a man of the people in all the term implies and in the best sense of the word a representative type of that strong, virile American manhood which commands and retains respect by reason of inherent merit, sound sense and correct conduct. Like his father and grandfather before him, Mr. Mock is a man of heroic mould and superb physical proportions. His commanding height of six and a half feet and correspondingly large but well knit frame, weighing two hundred and sixty pounds, makes him a marked figure wherever he goes and he is sure to attract attention in any crowd or assemblage as a man born to leadership. With his splendid build he likewise possesses almost unlimited endurance and knows not by practical experience the meaning of weariness or fatigue such as the average mortal feels. Mr. Mock is a great lover of manly sports and nearly every year finds pleasure in hunting bear, deer and other game in the forests of Michigan, Arkansas, Minnesota and other western states and territories, frequently prolonging these excursions for weeks and months in the pursuit of his favorite pastime. He is usually accompanied by a few congenial spirits and in this way, far from the distractions of courts and the trammels of civilization, they throw care to the winds, forget their annoyances in the joys of the hour and for one brief season at least get in close touch with nature by throwing off artificial restraints and imbibing in some degree the unseen spirit pervading the universe.

Mr. Mock is a man of domestic tastes and takes a loving interest in the beautiful and attractive home of which he is the head. He was happily married on the 19th of November, 1871, to Miss Rebecca C. Patterson, daughter of Samuel and Mary (McFarlin) Patterson, who moved to this county in an early day from Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where Mrs. Mock was born. Mr. and Mrs. Mock are the parents of three children, John, George and Charles, the first two members of the Bluffton bar and associated with their father in the practice under the firm name of Mock & Sons. They read law under the father's direction and each was admitted to the bar on the day he attained his majority. Mr. Mock has been an active member of the Masonic fraternity for over thirty years and stands high in the order, having taken a number of degrees, including that of the Royal Arch. He is also identified with the Improved Order of Red Men, being a charter member of the camp meeting in Bluffton, and is also a charter member of the Elks. A careful and conscientious investigation of spiritualism led him to accept that beautiful and satisfactory belief and he is now one of its most intelligent advocates, though by no means narrow or intolerant in his views, according to everybody the same right of opinion which he claims for himself.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 105-112.

The man who has accumulated most in the way of worldly wealth is not always the man who has accomplished most in life. While wealth is desirable, there are other things much more so, because of being more conducive to happiness. A moral, intelligent, well educated and thrifty family is far more desirable than great wealth. The combination of both, like most other happy combinations, is to be most desired. The subject of this sketch, Joseph B. Moore, is one whose life has been blessed in this regard. He was born in Hamilton county, near Strawtown, Indiana, September 11, 1838, and here his childhood, youth and early manhood were spent. During the 'forties there were few schools in Indiana, but most neighborhoods hoods had a subscription school a number of months each year, and it was in these schools that the subject received his education. It was not what would be considered liberal, but was thorough as to the common branches.

The parents of Joseph B. Moore were Cornelius and Elizabeth (Lash) Moore. The latter was a native of New Jersey and emigrated, when quite young, with her parents, to eastern Ohio where the family resided for some time, then moved to Athens, Ohio, where she met and married Cornelius Moore. After marriage they settled down to farming near Athens, where they continued until 1834, when they moved to Hamilton county, Indiana. There they entered a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of government land, erected a humble home and proceeded to carve a farm out of the wilderness. When they had been away from their relatives and friends in Ohio a number of years, and when Joseph B. Moore was an infant of only a few months, they decided to make a visit to their old Ohio home. They traveled by wagon, taking with them their bedding, and stopping at night at farm houses on the way, when they would lay their bedding on the floor and repose comfortably through the night. One morning one of the men of the house where they stopped, desiring to help them get ready for their journey, picked up the bedding and dumped it into the wagon. Later Mrs. Moore missed her baby, which was nowhere to be found. The child was too young to even crawl away, hence what had become of him was a mystery. Diligent search finally disclosed the little fellow almost smothered to death under the pile of bedding that had been dumped into the wagon, and he made several gasps before he succeeded in regaining his breath.

Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Moore were the parents of nine children, viz: Isaac married Sarah A. Kelley and is now a resident of Kansas; Morilla died in early womanhood; Eli died in infancy; Joseph; Mary is the widow of James Coster and resides on the old Moore homestead in Hamilton county; George married Rebecca Nance and lives in Hamilton county; Cornelius married Catherine White and lives in Madison county, Indiana; William resides in Hamilton county, on the old homestead; Anthony married Sarah Cuillip and also resides in Hamilton county. The father of this family continued to reside upon and cultivate the farm entered by him, until his death, which occurred many years ago. The mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Moore, died in 1899, at the age of eighty-five years.

Joseph B. Moore worked for his parents until he was twenty-one years of age. Starting out in life to work for himself, he made a trip to Illinois and worked there at farming six months. Returning to Indiana, he worked for a number of years by the day or month for those who had work to do until November 15, 1867, when he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Kelly, born in Carroll county, Ohio, April 7, 1847. She was a daughter of Aaron and Susan (Stern) Kelly, who were natives of Ohio, but who had moved to Hamilton county, Indiana, in 1849, when their daughter, Elizabeth, was only two years old. It is said that Mrs. Kelly and her two children, with all their household goods, were conveyed from Ohio on the back of one horse, Mr. Kelly making the journey on foot. During the first few years of their life in Hamilton county they lived on rented farm. When Mr. Kelly had accumulated sufficient money he purchased a tract of eighty acres, land being then not nearly as expensive as it has since become. This he improved and built a home upon it, adding occasionally to the dimensions of his farm, by purchase, until at the time of his death he was the owner of two hundred and seventy acres, splendidly improved and thoroughly cultivated. He was born January 30, 1820, died February 22, 1873; his wife, born July 4, 1823, died February 10, 1901. They were parents of twelve children, viz: Sarah N., wife of Isaac Moore, a resident of Kansas; Elizabeth; Catherine, deceased; Anthony married Sina Awker, and resides in Hamilton county; William, who married Emma Brooks, resides in Hamilton county; John, deceased; Charlotte, deceased; Douglass married Mina Awker and resides in Hamilton county; Caroline, the wife of Fletcher Summers, is now dead; Mary J. is the wife of David Musselman and resides in Liberty township; Delilah is the widow of William Cenders, residing at Strawtown, and Aaron, deceased.

The possessions of Joseph B. Moore at the time of his marriage consisted of one horse, an interest in some cattle and an interest in the growing crop on the home place. The first two years he cultivated the farm of his father-in-law and then rented another place for two years more, when he moved to Wells county, Indiana, where he purchased eighty acres of land for eighteen hundred dollars. As part payment he turned over a team of horses, valued at three hundred dollars, and gave three notes of five hundred dollars each, payable in one, two and three years. As these notes became due he did not have money to meet them, but borrowed it paying ten per cent interest. It was more than twelve years before the last of this indebtedness was liquidated. When he took possession of this land it was practically unimproved, but it is now well ditched, fenced and upwards of seventy acres are cleared. In 1884 he built a large barn and has recently completed a fine residence. He is a farmer of the progressive type, raising lots of cattle, horses and hogs and plenty of grain, hay, straw, fodder and vegetables to feed them. He has a number of very fine brood mares and always has several promising colts on the place. He attends strictly to his own business and therefore makes it remunerative and profitable.

To Mr. and Mrs. Moore five children and many grandchildren have been born, viz: Celia is the wife of Edward Harris, and they are the parents of seven children, William, Charles, Otis, Henry, Evert, Rosie and Edna; Cora is the wife of George Sheets and they are the parents of three children, Elizabeth, Lloyd and Raymond; Aaron, who married Gertie Jones, resides in Liberty township, and they are the parents of three children, Loretta, Lela and Belle; Susan and Elizabeth Ann were twins, both dying in infancy. Mrs. Moore is a member of the church of the Disciples, being a liberal contributor to its support and a regular attendant upon its Services. Mr. Moore is an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Liberty Center, has passed the chairs twice and twice been representative in grand lodge. In politics he has always been a Democrat and rather active, particularly during campaigns, having represented his township and county in state and congressional conventions a number of times. Because of his courteous manners, genial disposition and genuine worth, Mr. Moore has won and retains the regard and esteem of all who know him.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 534-537.

CHARLES H. MORGAN, farmer, section 17, Jackson Township, was born in Wayne County, Indiana, January 9, 1824, a son Micajah and Hannah (Hill) Morgan, who were natives of North Carolina. The father of our subject came with his parents to Indiana when it was a territory, the family settling in the Miami reservation, while yet in the hands of the Indians. Benjamin Morgan, the grandfather of our subject, entered the land which is part of the present site of Richmond. He subsequently sold this land, and with the proceeds bought himself and each of his sons a quarter section of land. He died in Wayne County in the fall of 1859 at the advanced age of ninety-eight years. The father of our subject grew to manhood in Wayne County, where he was married to Hannah Hill, and to them were born ten children, seven sons and three daughters. Six of the sons served as soldiers during the war of the Rebellion. The father lived in Wayne County until his death, which occurred in 1862. The mother is still living, making her home in Randolph County, and is now eighty-six years of age. Charles H. Morgan, whose name heads this sketch, enlisted in August, 1861, in Company A, Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry, and was in the service of his country until December, 1864. He participated in several engagements during the war, taking part in the siege of Vicksburg, was in BanksÂ’ Red River expedition, beside other battles and skirmishes. He was taken prisoner in Mississippi in July, 1862, and was confined at Vicksburg two months, when he was paroled and returned to his regiment. After receiving his discharge he returned to his home in Wells County and resumed farming. He is a thorough, practical farmer, and has one of the finest farms in his neighborhood, containing 150 acres of well improved land, a comfortable residence surrounded with shade and ornamental trees, an orchard containing the best varieties of fruit. He is engaged in general farming, and also devotes some time to stock-raising, making a specialty of mules. Mr. Morgan was united in marriage October 16, 1845, to Miss Mary Worel, a native of North Carolina, born November 16, 1823. They have had born to them seven children, as follows: Abram, Naomi, Sarah, Clarkson T. (deceased), Micajah, Charles M., and Emma (deceased). In April, 1884, Mr. Morgan had his house and contents destroyed by fire, sustaining a loss of about $400, after which he erected his present substantial residence. Mr. Morgan is a member of the United Brethren church. In politics he was formerly a Republican, and later affiliated with the Greenback party. He is now liberal in his views, and intends to vote for the man whom he deems best fitted for office.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 1018-1019.

ELIAS P. MORRICAL, farmer, Nottingham Township, was born in Darke County, Ohio, September 8, 1842, son of Clark and Sarah (Pence) Morrical, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Ohio. The father removed with his parents from Virginia to Darke County, where he was married. When Elias was about two years old his parents removed to Indiana, living there eleven years, then went to Kankakee County, Illinois, where they passed the remainder of their days. The father died April 28, 1857, in Marshall County, Indiana, whither he had gone on business. The mother survived him until December 28, 1867. Elias was thirteen years of age when his parents removed to Kankakee County. He lived there until be came to Wells County. In 1865 he went to Michigan, where he was engaged in the pump business, and the following year came to Wells County, where he was married October 30, 1870, to Sarah O. Adams, who died September 14, 1876, leaving four children. All except Dora are deceased?Olive, and two infants unnamed. The year after his marriage Mr. Morrical returned to Kankakee, where he resided two years, then removed to this county. It was here that his wife died, and in 1877 he went to Randolph County, where he was married October 17, 1877, to Mary Jane Clevinger, who died May 28, 1879, leaving one child?Rosa May. In 1879 he returned to Wells County and located in his present home. Mr. Morrical is independent in polities, but is a strong temperance man. He owns about seventynine acres of laud, sixty-nine acres being cleared. He was married to his present wife January 17, 1882. She was formerly Alice M. Tinsley, a resident of Randolph County, and a daughter of Malachi and Margaret E. Tinsley; the father is deceased and the mother is a resident of Nottingham.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 828-829.

David H. Morris was born in Highland county, Ohio, August 7, 1845. He removed to Wells county in 1880. He is a resident of Liberty township; his business is that of farming. His wife, Lochie A. Taylor, to whom he was married in Wells county, March 28, 1874, is the mother of Elmer E., born February 3, 1875; Mary J., March 2, 1876; Ida I., November 9, 1878; Edna A., March 19, 1881. Mrs. Morris is a daughter of James and Mary (Thrailkill) Taylor. The former died July 21, 1880. David H. is a son of Isaac and Jane (Martin) Morris, residents of Highland county, Ohio. 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. 215.
Transcribed by Kathy Davis

THOMAS MORRIS, M. D., is a native of Kentucky, born in Bracken County, August 6, 1818, a son of John P. and Mary Ann (McClennahan) Morris, the father being a native of the same county, and a descendant of an old Kentucky family. The great-grandfather of our subject came front Maryland to Kentucky in the pioneer days of that State, and settled at Augusta, when the surrounding country was a wilderness. He represented his county in the Kentucky Legislature several terms. His son, the grandfather of our subject, was a surveyor, and laid out the greater part of Bracken County. The father of Dr. Morris was a farmer, which avocation he followed the greater part of his life. He is still living in Bracken County, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. The mother died August 5, 1868. Thomas Morris, the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood in his native county, being reared to the avocation of a farmer, and receiving his education in the common schools. He followed farming and dealing in real estate at different times until about 1875, when he began the study of medicine with a physician of Keutucky, and afterward studied under the preceptorship of his brother, Dr. George P. Morris, of Grant County, Indiana. In 1879 he entered Fort Wayne Medical College, and graduated from that institution in 1881. He then commenced the practice of medicine at Roll, Blackford County, Indiana, and in 1883 came to Mount Zion, Wells County, where he has since followed his profession, and has succeeded in establishing a good practice and is the present postmaster at the latter place. Dr. Morris was married in Wells County, May 11, 1875, to Miss Sarah A. Lee, a native of Wells County, and a daughter of Jonathan R. Lee, one of the pioneers of Jackson Township. Her parents are still living in Jackson Township. Dr. and Mrs. Morris are the parents of two sons—Oscar E. and George B. The doctor is a member of the Odd Fellows order, belonging to Salamonie Lodge, No. 392, at Warren. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant church.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 813-814.

Back to that cradle of much of our national history, the Old Dominion state, must we turn in tracing the genealogy of Dr. Morris, and at a later period the family name and that of the collateral line became prominently identified with the history of Kentucky, whose annals have been dignified by the lives and labors of those with whom our subject is linked by consanguinity. Personally he is numbered among the representative members of the medical profession of Wells county, being established in practice in the attractive village of Mount Zion. Devoted to the noble and humane work which his profession implies, faithful and indefatigable in his efforts, he has not only earned a due reward in a temporal way, but has also proved himself eminently worthy to exercise the important functions of his calling, by reason of his ability, his abiding sympathy and his earnest zeal in behalf of his fellow men. His understanding of the science of medicine is broad and comprehensive and the profession and the public have accorded him the high esteem and confidence justly due under such conditions and with such attributes as are his.

Dr. Morris is a native of Bracken county, Kentucky, having been born on a farm near the town of Augusta, on the 6th of August, 1848, and being a son of John P. and Mary Ann (McClennahan) Morris, both members of old Kentucky families and both natives of that state. Capt. Philip Buckner, the maternal grandfather of John P. Morris, was born in England, on the 13th of May, 1747, and as a young man he emigrated to America, being here married, in 1772, to a Miss Daniels, of Port Royal, Virginia. At the outbreak of the war of the Revolution he espoused the cause of the colonists and served in the Continental lines while for commissary supplies which he furnished from his home in Virginia he received at the close of the war land warrants, on which he made selection of lands in Kentucky and Ohio. He brought his family and his negroes down the Ohio river on flatboats, disembarking at Louisville, which was then a small village, and later returned to Virginia and organized a company of families who came to Kentucky and under his supervision organized a colony at Augusta, Bracken county, of which town he was thus the virtual founder. He acquired an extensive landed estate, having erected his first dwelling in the year 1797, and it is interesting to note in the connection that the foundations of this ancient building are still standing. Captain Buckner donated large tracts of land to the town of Augusta, and it was through his progressive spirit that the colony and town flourished to so notable a degree. He was the first representative from that county in the legislature of Kentucky and was one of the framers of the constitution of the commonwealth, having been a member of the first constitutional convention, while his sons-in-law were the first officers elected in Bracken county after its erection. He was a man of fine mentality, genial and hospitable and a true type of the old-school gentleman. He assisted many persons in securing farms and establishing homes and no man in the locality had a firmer hold upon public confidence and esteem. When well advanced in years he retired to a distance of fourteen miles in the wilderness in order that he might have access to more game, having been an enthusiastic nimrod and an expert shot. He died at his home in Bracken county on the 24th of October, 1820, in the fulness of years and well earned honors. His son-in-law, Dickinson Morris, grandfather of Dr. Morris, was the first sheriff of Bracken county, and one of the influential citizens of the locality. He became an able surveyor and as such had charge of the surveying of the greater portion of Bracken county, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. His eldest son, B. S. Morris, became a distinguished member of the bar, was the second mayor of the city of Chicago, Illinois, and for a number of years was judge of the circuit court in that state. The third son, Philip B., was an extensive farmer in Kentucky, where he passed his entire life.

John Pickett Morris, father of the Doctor, was reared and educated in Bracken county, where he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, in which he was engaged from his youth until his death, in October, 1895, at the venerable age of eighty-three years, having resided continuously on one farm for the long period of sixty years, while the old homestead is still in the possession of the family. His devoted wife, who was born in Farquhar county, Virginia, accompanied her parents on their removal to Kentucky when a child, and there was reared and educated, and she died on the old homestead on the 5th of August, 1868, at the age of fifty-two years. They became the parents of eight sons and one daughter and all are living with the exception of two of the sons, while Dr. Morris and his brother Samuel B., of Liberty Center, Wells county, are the only representatives of the family in Indiana.

Dr. Morris, of this sketch, was born on the old homestead farm, twelve miles west of Augusta, Bracken county, Kentucky, and his early educational discipline was received in the public schools of his native state. In 1869, when about twenty-one years of age, he came to Wells county, Indiana, to visit relatives, and here he engaged in teaching in the district schools about two years, and while thus engaged he became so impressed with the attractions and advantages of this section of the state that he determined to take up his permanent residence here. He had previously taken up the study of medicine under the preceptorship of an old and able physician of Kentucky and after coming to Indiana he continued his technical reading under the direction of his brother, Dr. George P. Morris, who was at that time established in the practice of his profession in Grant county. In 1879 he was matriculated in the Fort Wayne Medical College, at Fort Wayne, this state, where he was graduated as a member of the class of 1881, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine and being thoroughly fortified for the practice of his chosen profession, since he had been a close and appreciative student of both medicine and surgery and had spared no pains to secure the best experience in practical clinical work while pursuing his collegiate course. After his graduation Dr. Morris established himself in practice at Roll, Blackford county, Indiana, where he remained until 1883, when he came to Mount Zion, Wells county, which has since continued to be his place of residence and his professional headquarters. He has built up a large and representative practice, which extends throughout a wide radius of country, and his success has been the diametrical result of his assiduous application, his unwavering devotion to his work and his constant and careful study of the sciences of medicine and surgery, in which he keeps in touch with the advances made from year to year, having recourse to the best standard and periodical literature pertaining to the same. The Doctor is an honored member of the Wells County Medical Society, and has been a delegate from the same to the Indiana State Medical Society, in which also he retains membership, while he has also been a delegate to the conventions of the American Medical Association. He is held in high esteem by his professional confreres, being ever mindful of the ethics of the unwritten code, and is frequently called in consultation by other members of the profession. His practice has far exceeded in extent the limitations which he had considered possible, and both as a physician and a man he holds the unequivocal confidence and esteem of the community in which his services have been of so marked value and in which he has attained high prestige in his profession. The Doctor is the owner of two valuable farms in Wells county, on one of which are eight producing oil wells, through which he secures a good income, both farm properties being rented. In politics he gives his allegiance to the Democratic party so far as state and national affairs are involved, but in local matters, where no issue is to be considered, he is independent rather than holding to strict partisan lines. The Doctor served three years as postmaster of Mount Zion, under the administration of President Cleveland. He is a charter member of Mount Zion Lodge No. 684, I. O. O. F., in which he is past noble grand, while he has represented the same in the grand lodge of the state on three different occasions. He and his wife are valued and active members of the Methodist Protestant church.

On the 11th of May, 1875, Dr. Morris was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Lee, who was born in Wells county, being a daughter of Jonathan R. and Susannah (Banter) Lee, well known residents of the county. She was eighteen years of age at the time of her marriage, having been reared and educated in her native county and being a lady of gracious presence and distinctive refinement. Dr. and Mrs. Morris are the parents of two sons, namely: Oscar E., who married Miss Maud Huffman and who is one of the successful young farmers of Wells county; and George B., who is a student in the Indiana Medical College, at Indianapolis, being a member of the class of 1903; he married Miss Rosa Wallace and they have one child, Lillian Maxwell.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 567-570.

JOHN ANDREW MORRISON, M. D., has spent his entire life in Indiana, and is to-day numbered among the leading citizens of Montpelier. He has attained an enviable position in the medical profession, gaining a high reputation which comes only through skill and ability, and which is the reward of faithful and persistent effort. He is progressive, keeping abreast with the times in every particular, and his advanced methods and thorough understanding of the business have brought to him excellent success.

The Doctor was born in Salamonie township, Huntington county, April 26, 1850, and comes of a family that was probably founded in America during early Colonial days. His grandfather, Andrew Morrison, was born July 18, 1780, probably in Virginia, and married Martha Mitchell, who was born September 25, 1786. Their wedding was celebrated April 5, 1804, and they became the parents of fourteen children. The oldest, a son, born December 7, 1805, died January 23, 1806. Leander is the father of our subject. James P. was born October 10, 1808. Osborn was born June 17, 1810. An infant daughter, born September 2, 1811, died on the 5th of the same month. Elijah, born September 29, 1812, married Sarah Mitchell, June 17, 1834, and died September 29th of the same year. Sarah Mordah, born July 18, 1814, was married on the 20th of August, 1835, to John Brawley, who died November 21, 1840. Andrew, born September 21, 1816, was married January 15, 1839, to Elizabeth Wright. Joanna was born April 23, 1819. An infant daughter, born July 24, 1820, died on the 27th of the same month. Franklin Alexander, born July 24, 1822, died June 12, 1825. Lewis M. was born February 21, 1825. Eli was born October 15, 1826. An infant son died May 9, 1828. Matilda Ann, born March 4, 1829, married Joel P. Garretson, September 9, 1845, and is living in Andrews, Huntington county, Indiana.

The Doctor's father, Leander Morrison, was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, November 7, 1806, and is of Scottish descent, for his father was a native of Scotland, and, crossing the Atlantic to America when a young man, located in Pennsylvania, whence he afterward went to Kentucky. Leander attended the common schools of the neighborhood and afterward removed with his family to Preble county, Ohio, where he followed agricultural pursuits until 1834. That year witnessed his arrival in Huntington county, Indiana. Casting his lot with its pioneer settlers he entered from the Government a tract of land lying in both Huntington and Wells counties and began to clear and improve his property. As a companion and helpmeet on life's journey he chose Miss Matilda Jones, and their marriage, which took place February 26, 1835, was the first celebrated in Salamonie township. The lady was born March 7, 1816, in Kentucky, and is a daughter of Samuel Jones, who made the first settlement in that township on the 27th of September, 1833. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and during his earlier years resided in Highland county, Ohio, whence with his family, consisting of wife and eight children, he went to Huntington county, locating on the present town-site of Warren. He laid out the town and was prominently identified with the upbuilding of the community for many years, doing all in his power for its promotion and development. After his marriage Leander Morrison located on a frontier farm in Huntington county, where he spent his remaining days. The tract originally comprised 185 acres, and was in its primitive condition at the time of his settlement thereon, but with characteristic energy he began its development, and soon it was transformed into rich and cultivable fields. He also found time to devote to public affairs and in the early days of the county's history served as land agent, as magistrate and as county commissioner. The duties of public and private life were ever faithfully performed by him and his genuine worth won him the esteem of all with whom he came in contact. His political support was given the Republican party after its organization, previous to which time he voted with the Whig party. Personally he was five feet, eight inches in height and weighed about 135 pounds; was of a sympathetic temperament and pleasant disposition, and throughout the community had many friends. His death occurred February 14, 1881. His widow, however, is still living on the old homestead in Huntington county, and is an earnest and consistent member of the United Brethren Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Morrison became the parents of seven children: Calvin, born January 1, 1837, enlisted on his country's call for troops, and died in the army in 1861. Nancy was born November 14, 1838. Martha Ann, born May 30, 1842, became the wife of David Elliott, and they now reside in Huntington county. Sarah Lucinda, born December 15, 1843, is the wife of Charles R. Mason, of Hartford City, Indiana. Samuel Lindsay, born January 8, 1847, married Burzetta Good, and is living in Huntington county. The Doctor is the next younger. Lewis Mitchell, born May 2, 1853, married Rosie Anna Ernest, and after her death wedded Lavinia Elkhart, with whom he is now living in Huntington county.

Doctor Morrison of this review spent his childhood days on the Indiana frontier, and with the family went through the usual experiences of pioneer life. He early became inured to the arduous labors of developing a farm, and through the summer months worked in the fields, but after the crops were harvested in the autumn he entered the district schools to pursue his studies in the winter. He also attended school in Bluffton, Indiana, and for two terms was a student in the Roanoke Classical Seminary, under Professor Core.

Tiring of the monotony of farm life and desiring to enter the broader field of professional labor, in 1872 he took up the study of medicine under Drs. Mason and Ranson, of Hartford City, Blackford county. In the winter of 1873-4, he attended a course of lectures in the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, and was graduated at that institution in the class of 1875. He now laid aside his text-books to learn the more important lessons which experience would bring, and to enter upon the sterner duties of life which follow the period of our school days. He first located at Mt. Zion, Wells county, but after remaining there for one year removed to Liberty Center, Indiana, where he successfully continued practice until June, 1884. Corning to Montpelier he has since been identified with its interests, and is known as one of its most successful and capable physicians. Montpelier at the time of his arrival contained only 750 inhabitants, but its growth has been rapid, and it is now a city of more than 5,000.

The Doctor has ever been an earnest student, keeping abreast with the progress made in the science of medicine, and in 1885, in order to further perfect himself in his chosen calling, he attended a course of lectures in the Long Island College Hospital of New York. His fellow townsmen have attested their confidence in his ability by the liberal support they have given him, and he now enjoys a lucrative practice. In 1893 he purchased a farm of 226 acres, on section 16, Jackson township, Wells county. To the farm he removed in the month of June, and there made his home until September, 1895. He has upon the place fourteen oil-producing wells, which are now leased and operated by Forest & Greenley, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and which yield to the Doctor a good income. He has recently purchased property at the corner of High and Washington streets, where he now has a comfortable and commodious home.

The Doctor married Miss Sarah Catherine Spake, who was born in Wells county, December 19, 1857, and is the eldest of a family of five children, whose parents are John and Polly (First) Spake. The Doctor and his wife are the parents of three children: Rufus Alvah, born July 13, 1877; Leander, born August 1, 1879; and Merle Minten, born March 15, 1882.

Memorial Record of Northeastern Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1896, pp. 230-235.

HENRY MOSSBURG, of Liberty Township, was born in Henry County, Indiana, September 16, 1821, the third son and sixth child of Rev. Henry and Jane (Tharlkill) Mossburg. The father was born in 1797, and was reared in Maryland. When he was a young man he went to Virginia in pursuit of work, and later went to Ohio with the Tharlkill family, who located in Chillicothe, Ross County. Mrs. Mossburg was a native of Virginia and of French ancestry. They removed to Delaware County, Indiana, in 1827, where the father purchased twenty acres of land, which he afterward sold and entered eighty acres from the Government. This land he partially improved, then sold it and entered eighty acres more, upon which he resided until 1837, when he came to Wells County. There were but two families in Liberty Township when he settled there. November 2, 1838, he died, and was the first white man buried in that township. He lost his health while serving in the war of 1812. When he felt that the end was near, he selected the spot he wished for his last resting place. He had officiated as minister in the Christian church for many years. His wife survived him until 1872, and died at an advanced age. Of their nine children four are still living—Daniel, Henry, James T. and Esther L. Our subject was seventeen years of age when his father died. He remained with his mother until his marriage, after which time his mother lived with him. She is buried in the Mossburg cemetery. Henry was married August 2, 1845, to Miss Rebecca Scotton, daughter of John and Dinah Scotton, who came from England to this country when Mrs. Mossburg was a child. To this union three children were born, only one surviving—Isaac. Mrs. Mossburg died April 19, 1851, at the age of twenty-nine years. May 2, 1852, Mr. Mossburg was married to Mary E. Wixlie, whose first husband was Leander Wiley. She was a daughter of James and Harriet Ware, who came from Kentucky to Wells County in 1847. Mr. Mossburg has resided upon one farm for a period of fifty years. He has added to his estate from time to time until he had 400 acres of land, 298 acres having been entered from the Government. He has divided with his children and now has 153 acres of improved land in a good state of cultivation. By his last marriage ten children were born, nine of whom are living—Harriet A., Lafayette, Ellen M., William, Jane, Armintha, Eddie, Lizzie and Walter. Milton died at the age of three years. The parents are members of the Christian church, and in polities Mr. Mossburg is a Republican.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 863-864.

James T. Mossburgh and Mary M. Parker, residing in Liberty township, were married in that township January 29, 1846. Their children are: Mary Jane, born September 20, 1846, resides at Mount Zion, Indiana; Sarah S., February 28, 1848, deceased: Elizabeth Ann, February 28, 1850, resides at Rock Creek, Indiana; Isabella, August 5, 1852, resides at Liberty Center; Hiram S., January 29, 1855, resides at Liberty Center; Almira, June 8, 1857, resides in Huntington county; James A., April 17, 1860, resides at home; Emma Eldora, December 2, 1862, deceased; Anna L., June 19, 1866, resides at home; Elijah P., January 14, 1869, also resides at home. James T. Mossburgh was born January 30, 1827, in Henry county, Indiana. He settled in Wells county in 1837. His parents are Henry And Jane (Thrailkill) Mossburgh. He is a farmer and raiser of stock; is Vice President of the County Temperance Organization. His wife was born in Morency, Cumberlandshire, England. She is a daughter of Thomas and Mary J. Muncie. Address, Barbers Mill, 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. 215.
Transcribed by Kathy Davis

JOHN K. MOSSY, farmer and stockraiser, Rock Creek Township, was born on the farm where he now resides, February 24, 1845, a son of William and Mary (Kirkpatrick) Mossy. The father was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1821, a son of William Mossy, and was reared to manhood on a farm in his native country. He immigrated to America in 1840, and after living two years in Ohio he came to Wells County, Indiana, and entered eighty acres of Government land. He then returned to Ohio and was married to Miss Mary Kirkpatrick, who was also a native of Ireland, and a daughter of John and Ann Kirkpatrick. To them were born six children, of whom only two are now living—John K., our subject, and Mary, wife of Dr. George Fulton of Bluffton. Their son Robert D. was killed by the cars, and three children died in childhood. In the fall of 1844 the father removed to his frontier farm in Wells County and erected a cabin into which he moved his family. He began clearing his farm, and by hard work and per severing industry he improved his land and brought it under good cultivation. He added to his original purchase until he had 397 acres, a large portion of which was cleared and improved by himself, and also town property, at his death being worth $20,000, which he acquired by his own efforts, all being won by fair and honorable dealings. He died September 2, 1880, his widow surviving until May 15, 1885. Both were members of the Presbyterian church, and were respected by all who knew them. In politics he was a Republican. John K. Mossy, whose name heads this sketch, was reared on the home farm in his native county, where he attended the common schools, and completed his education at Poland Academy at Poland, Ohio. He remained with his parents until their death, when he came into possession of the old homestead, and where he still resides. He was united in marriage July 4, 1872, to Miss Emeline Quackenbush, a native of Wells County, and a daughter of William and Phoebe Quackenbush, and to this union have been born seven children-— William Wilson, Mary Elizabeth, John Donaldson, Thomas Jefferson, Jennie May, Phoebe Anna and one who died in infancy. In connection with his farming pursuits Mr. Mossy has taught school, teaching during the winter terms for eight years, in which he has met with good success. He is the owner of a fine farm of 260 acres, and is classed among the well-to-do citizens of his township. In his political views he affiliates with the Republican party. He and his wife are worthy members of the Presbyterian church.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 962.

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

Frank W. Mosure is the son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Krill) Mosure and was born at Bluffton, Wells county, Indiana, February 8, 1861. Jonathan Mosure was a native of Ohio, but in the early 'fifties came to Indiana and located in Bluffton. He was a blacksmith and, in partnership with John Shoemaker, ran a blacksmith shop, the one now owned by Josiah Freeser. He followed that occupation until 1865 and then moved to Vera Cruz, where he followed his trade and in connection therewith ran a buggy and carriage factory. He remained thus engaged for about twenty years, when he sold out and retired to a forty-acre farm which he had purchased in Adams county, where he still resides. He is widely known and by all is highly esteemed. To him and his wife have been born six children, as follows: Frank is the immediate subject; John A. is a farmer and resides in Adams county; Edward is a blacksmith at Newville, Indiana; Ella is the wife of William Spade, a farmer living in Adams county; Mary is the wife of William Selby, of Adams county; Lulu is unmarried. All these children were given the benefit of a good common school education and have grown into strong and sturdy manhood and womanhood, an honor to their parents.

Frank W. Mosure remained at the home at Bluffton until he was four years old, when he was taken to Vera Cruz, where he has since continued to make his home. He received a very good education, attending first the village school and later the county normal at Bluffton. In 1882 he commenced teaching school, an occupation which he followed for two terms, and then entered Union Christian College. He pursued his studies in that institution for one year and also attended Antioch College for two terms. His studies had all been directed towards his intended induction into the ministry, which he subsequently realized, being ordained as a minister of the Christian church and taking up special work as an evangelist. He was devoted to his work and maintained an active connection with the pulpit until 1901. In 1892 he was elected to the office of Justice of the peace and served until 1900, discharging the duties of the office in such a manner as to win the hearty commendation of all. He was also commissioned a notary public and is still serving in that capacity. During his ministry he was active in his efforts to carry the gospel tidings of salvation to all within his reach and the good he has done in the world can be only definitely measured in "that last great day." Of a pleasing personal presence, ready command of language, enthusiastic in his work, he wielded a powerful influence and was the means of inducing many to forsake the ways of sin and follow in the footsteps of the man of Nazareth.

Mr. Mosure was united in marriage on the 1st of March, 1884, to Miss Rosa Gehring, of Fort Wayne, Indiana. She possesses a good common school education and has proven to her husband a faithful and devoted companion. To this union has been born one child, Dessie, the date of her birth being January 25, 1890. In politics Mr. Mosure is a farm and uncompromising Democrat, but aside from the exercise of his right of franchise he takes no very active part in political matters. He is now actively engaged in the real estate business and is known as one of Wells county's most active and energetic business men and is achieving for himself an enviable reputation for sterling honesty and a desire to do by others as he would be done by. His support has ever been given to all measures for the public good, he is a man of broad humanitarian principles, of earnest purpose and upright life, and does all in his power for the uplifting of his fellow men and the promotion of the moral welfare of his community.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 328-329.

Wells County has its full quota of merchants, manufacturers, professional men and bankers to whom it is indebted for its prestige among its sister counties, but perhaps it is more particularly noted for the high standards set by its agriculturists, whose energy and enterprise during the past several decades have made this locality one of the garden spots of Indiana, well as a center of agricultural production that adds to its importance at a time when the nations of the earth are looking to America with anxious eyes in regard to the food supply. One of the most productive parts of the county is the district lying in Chester Township, where is to be found the Keystone Stock Farm, one mile west of Keystone, which property is owned by George R. Mounsey, a progressive and energetic farmer with twentieth-century ideas. Mr. Mounsey was born at Liberty, Wells County, Indiana, February 26, 1857, a son of John and Eliza (Merriman) Mounsey.

John Mounsey was born at the foot of Mount Skedy, in Cumberlandshire, England, and was eighteen years of age when he came to the United States and settled in Pennsylvania. There he accepted whatever honorable employment he could find, but was not satisfied with so uncertain a career and accordingly, in 1841, came to Wells County, Indiana, where he purchased 160 acres of land in Liberty Township. This was largely covered with timber at the time of his arrival, but Mr. Mounsey cleared a spot, built a cabin and set about to improve and cultivate his land to such good effect that he became one of the substantial men of his community and the owner of a valuable property. Mr. Mounsey was one of the pillars of the Baptist Church and for many years a deacon therein, being for three years a deacon in the church located southwest of Liberty Center. He was a democrat in his political affiliation, and was known as an influential man in his party, but beyond serving as a member of the election board took a little part as an office holder. Of his nine children, seven are living at this time.

George R. Mounsey was reared on the home farm in Liberty Township, and after completing his education in the district schools taught a class in the country for one term. Until he was twenty-five years of age he made his home in Liberty Township, but then moved to Chester Township, where he first purchased a farm in section 7. Of this he subsequently disposed to buy his present property, on a section 27, township 25, range 11, which consists of 191 acres and is registered as the Keystone Stock Farm, Mr Mounsey's favorite stock being Short Horn cattle, of which he now has a splendid herd. He carries on both general farming and dairying in addition to his cattle raising, and all three departments has achieved a pronounced success, being accounted a skilled and modern farmer of the progressive type and a good judge of cattle, as well as a business man of integrity and shrewdness. In addition to his Indiana farming land he is the possessor of 1,300 acres lying in Southern Illinois, which is being rapidly developed into a handsome estate.

Mr. Mounsey was married October 25, 1879 to Mary A Williamson, who was born March 18, 1858, near Mount Zion, Indiana, and to this union there have been born four sons of whom three are living at this time; Otis C, a graduate of the common schools, first graduate of the Keystone High School, and also a graduate of the Indiana State University, and now looking after his father's agricultural interests in Southern Illinois; A E. a graduate of the Fort Wayne (Indiana) Business College, who is engaged in farming operations in Blackford County, Indiana; and Carey E, a graduate of the Montpelier High School and of the State University, and who was principal of schools at Mount Comfort and Keystone one year and now in the training camp at Camp Taylor, Kentucky, getting ready to be called into service in the great war. Mr. and Mrs. Mounsey and their children are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Mounsey is a democrat in politics and has taken some interest in public affairs. He has also been the incumbent of several local offices, having served his community well as trustee of Chester Township from 1890 to 1895; and as county commissioner of Wells County for one term of three years.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 328-329.

GEORGE F. MOWERY, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Salt Creek, Pickaway County, Ohio, July 21, 1851. His father, Peter Mowery, was also a native of that county, born June 9, 1829, son of Jacob Mowery, who was of German descent. His mother, Lydia (King) Mowery, was born in Jackson, Ohio, August 19, 1829, daughter of John George and Catherine (Myers) King. Both were reared on a farm and followed that occupation until 1865, when they removed to this county, where the father purchased 340 acres of improved land six miles southeast of Bluffton. They were the parents of eight children, four of whom are living. The mother died May 30, 1870, and the father afterward married Mary A. Gottschalk; he died September 22, 1871. Our subject was fourteen years of age when his parents came to Wells County. He was educated in the county schools, and remained with his parents until their death. October 19, 1871, he was married to Miss Mary A. French, daughter of John G. French, and they settled upon a piece of land containing seventy-three acres which his father had given him. He resided there two years, then purchased eighty acres of unimproved land, which he partially improved. He paid $1,000 for the land and sold it for twice that sum in eighteen months. After this he rented one year, then bought forty acres of Samuel Gensell. In 1881 he purchased his present farm, which consisted of fifty-three acres, then sold three acres to Lewis King. He now has a fine farm of fifty acres. Mr. and Mrs. Mowery are the parents of six children?John W., Franklin E., Eliza A., Sanford L., Clara Catherine and Harriet M. Mr. Mowery served as constable two years, and in politics affiliates with the Democratic party. 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. 814-815.

Aaron L. Musselman is perhaps best known over Wells County for his successful work as an educator and only recently he gave up the work of the schoolroom to begin his banking career as cashier of the Farmers State Bank at Poneto. He came into this bank on July 9, 1917 and besides his official position is also one of its stockholders. The other officers are J. W. Cook, president, and W. J. Popejoy, vice president. Mr. Musselman has the active executive details of the institution and his personal popularity has meant much to its continued prosperity.

Mr. Musselman has spent most of his life in Wells County but was born at Noblesville, Indiana, November 18, 1884, a son of D. H. and Mary J. (Kelly) Musselman. His parents removed to Wells County in 1895, and he grew up on a farm and acquired most of his higher education through his own earnings and efforts. He attended high school at Liberty Center, Indiana, and also attended institutions at Marion, Huntington and Indianapolis, taking commercial work in the latter two cities. He taught for a time in a district school, in Liberty Township, was principal of the Poneto graded schools five years, and came to enjoy a high standing and popularity in the ranks of local educators.

In 1910 Mr. Musselman married Miss Edna McCleery, who was born in Wells County, daughter of William McCleery. They have three young children, Dayton, Ruby and Dorothy. Mr. Musselman is affiliated with Bluffton Lodge No. 92, Knights of Pythias, and is present vice chancellor. In matters of politics he casts his vote as a democrat.

Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties Indiana. John W Tyndall for Adams Co and O. E. Lesh for Wells County. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1918, p. 607.
Contributed by Nola Rains

JOSEPH MYERS, one of the prosperous and enterprising agriculturists of Wells County, engaged in farming in Chester Township, was born in Clarke County, Ohio, the date of his birth being July 13, 1823. His parents, Abraham and Susannah (Pence) Myers, were natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively, the father being of English origin and the mother of Dutch ancestry. They were married in Ohio, and made that State their home for many years, the mother dying in Ohio, February 5, 1859, when our subject was a young man. Soon after the motherÂ’s death the father came to Indiana and located in Wells County until his death, January 1, 1864. Joseph Myers grew to manhood in his native State, living in Clarke, Logan and other counties. He worked as a farm laborer in Ohio until the fall of 1853, when he came to Wells County, Indiana, and located on 160 acres of his present farm in Chester Township. He had visited the county several years previous when he purchased this land, making at that time but a small payment on his purchase, when he returned to Ohio, and every year he came to Wells County to make a payment until his land was entirely paid for. His land was covered with a heavy growth of timber, and was entirely unimproved, he having to clear a space for his buildings, and with the timber he cut down he erected his hewed-log house. In February, 1854, he was married to Miss Mary Jones, a native of Randolph County, Indiana, and a daughter of Michael and Nancy Jones, who were early settlers of Wells County. They subsequently removed to Huntington County in the fall of 1866, where the father died, January 29, 1877, and the mother December 31, 1878. Mr. Myers brought his wife to his pioneer home in the woods of Chester Township, and here they passed through many trials and hardships incident to life in a newly settled country. Mr. Myers afterward bought eighty acres of land, part of which had been cleared. He now has 320 acres of land, 205 acres being cleared, all of his property being acquired by his own exertions, the result of persevering industry and good management. He owned beside his present property eighty acres which he sold. Mr. and Mrs. Myers are now surrounded with all the necessary comforts of life, and have gained the respect and esteem of the whole community, and reared a family to honorable and respectable status in life. Their children are—James B., a resident of Kingman County, Kansas; George R., of Ness County, Kansas; Nancy Elizabeth, wife of R. Y. Lambert, of Kingman County, Kansas; William A., Maggie and Daniel. In politics Mr. Myers is a Republican. He is a member of the United Brethren church.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 777-778.