An ex-school teacher and present farmer in Union township, Wells county, Indiana, Hercules H. Neff, a son of Jacob and Isabella (Garovick) Neff, was born in Crawford county, Ohio, January 16, 1863. From that locality the father removed with his family to Cambridge City, Wayne county, Indiana, where he died, and his widow re-married, becoming the wife of David R. Grubaugh. She then moved to Marshall county, Indiana, whence she went to Huntington county and in 1872 came with her second husband and her son to Wells county, where they have lived and prospered ever since.

Hercules Neff was reared under the care of his mother and step-father on a farm, and has lived in Union township Wells county, for thirty years. Here he was primarily educated in the district schools and in the normal schools of Huntington and Wells counties. He taught two terms of school and although he had met with eminent success as a teacher, he became wearied of the profession and abandoned it for the purpose of resuming agricultural pursuits. Mr. Neff is engaged in general farming and stock raising, but gives especial attention to Polled Durham cattle and Cotswold sheep, in the breeding of which he has met with more than usual success and from the sale of which he has realized his largest profits. This farm contains one hundred and twenty acres, which is well cultivated and improved with good buildings, tiling, etc.

March 13, 1888, Mr. Neff was united in marriage with Miss Emma J. Roe, the daughter of Jere Roe, of Union township, and a highly educated and accomplished young lady, who has blessed her husband with one child, Ola M., born December 16, 1889. In their religious connection Mr. and Mrs. Neff are members of the United Brethren church and are liberal contributors of their means to the maintenance of this religious organization. For a number of years Mr. Neff has filled the position of superintendent of its Sunday school. In politics he is one of Union township's most active and ardent Republicans and has devoted much of his time to the service of the party and in other capacities. He is popular, both as a Republican and as a citizen, and at one time was the nominee of his party for the office of county surveyor, but his indifference as to public position and his innate modesty were not conducive to his taking any active part in forwarding his own interests during the canvass.

As a citizen Mr. Neff is broad minded and liberal. He is an advocate of free schools and, when necessary, of compulsory education, and good roads are among the other conveniences and comforts he deems absolutely necessary for the use of the farming population especially, but he does not believe in over assessing those who do not require such conveniences simply because others do require them. He believes in even-handed justice, but, as an individual, is always ready to make a sacrifice of his means for the benefit of the general weal, even though he may not reap the full benefit of such contributions toward promoting the well-being of the general community.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 510-511.

IRA NEFF, of Harrison Township, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, February 9, 1833, son of William and Eleanor Neff. His father was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and of German ancestry. He removed to Ohio with his parents when a boy. The mother was a native of Virginia, and a daughter of Nicholas Lape. Our subject was reared on a farm and remained with his parents until he reached his majority. April 8, 1854, he was married to Miss Margaret Stout, daughter of Jonathan and Nancy (Christian) Stout, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio. Her parents were born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and of German ancestry. After his marriage Mr. Neff settled upon a small farm and built the first house in Stoutville, and laid out an addition to the town. He was engaged in the mercantile trade two years, then sold his property in the village and purchased an interest in the old homestead. One year later he again sold out and erected a hotel in Stoutville, which he conducted over eight years, then sold and removed to Monroe, Indiana. He lived there one year, then came to Wells County in 1869, and purchased forty acres of partially improved land on section 29, Harrison Township, where he engaged in farming. He subsequently purchased 100 acres on section 8, and devoted his attention exclusively to farming until 1883, when he turned his attention to horticulture. He has ten acres in small fruits and garden, and it has proved a successful enterprise. Mr. and Mrs. Neff have seven children: Catherine, wife of Charles Stahl; Isidore, wife of Lewis Hedges, of Harrison Township; Amos H., a telegraph operator; Luella, Stella G., Minnie and Charles F. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church, and in politics Mr. Neff is a Democrat.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 1000-1001.

ISAAC N. NEFF, manufacturer of and dealer in proprietary medicines, is a native of Wells County, Indiana, born in Liberty Township, July 25, 1847, a son of Jacob and Mary (Chapman) Neff, the father born in Rockingham County, Virginia, of German descent, and the mother born in Highland County, Ohio. The father was reared in his native county, and after reaching maturity removed to Highland County, Ohio, and in 1843 located in Highland County, Indiana. He subsequently came to Wells County, and after living for a time in Jackson Township he came to Liberty Township, where he bought forty acres of wild land. After clearing a part of his land he erected a log cabin, to which he brought his wife, whom he had married shortly before. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and were early settlers of Wells County. The father of our subject was a great hunter, and coming to the county when game of all kinds was abundant he made good use of his rifle, and by hunting he obtained his first start in life, and bought his first land. He resided in Liberty Township until 1868, when he removed to Chester Township, living there until his death, April 25, 1883. His wife is also deceased, her death taking place July 14, 1885. He came to Wells County when the country was new and settlers few, but lived to see it changed into a well settled country, with well cultivated farms and prosperous towns and villages. Isaac N. Neff was reared in Wells County, and has always made it his home with the exception of two years spent in Delaware County, at Selma, and was educated in the common schools of his native county. March 27, 1869, Mr. Neff was married to Esther A. Spake, and of the six children born to them four are living: Charlie Denton, Sarah Estella, Bertha May and George Clinton. Mary Wilmetta and Cora Belle are deceased. In 1872 Mr. Neff engaged in the dry goods business at Mount Zion, which he followed six or seven years, but during part of this time he also studied medicine with his brother-in-law, Dr. John A. Morrison, now of Montpelier. He subsequently began the practice of medicine and at the same time attended lectures at Fort Wayne Medical College. After practicing his profession several years he withdrew his attention from his practice somewhat, on account of ill-health. In December, 1886, he commenced the manufacture of proprietary medicines, the American Pain Killer and the King of Consumption, which are sold by agents traveling through the country. The long experience of Mr. Neff has given him a great insight into the virtues of remedies, and his medicines are the result of observations of the effects of the remedies obtained through his studies and while in practice. In his political views he is a Democrat. For three years and three months he held the office of postmaster at Mount Zion, and for one year was assistant postmaster. At one time he owned a dry goods store at Boehmer, Indiana, which was carried on by his cousin, and during that time he was express agent at Boehmer. Mr. Neff is an active and enterprising citizen, and by his fair and honorable dealings has gained the confidence and respect of all who know him.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 990-991.

Representative of the enterprising and worthy agriculturists of Wells County, Jacob J. Neff is meeting with marked success in his free and independent occupation, his land being in an admirable state of culture, owing to the sound judgment and persistent energy with which he has devoted himself to its management. He was born October 28, 1850, in Athens County, Ohio, a son of John Neff.

His grandfather, Jacob Neff, was born and educated in Germany, and there married Anna Barbara Copp. Immigrating to this country prior to the Revolutionary war, he settled in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and there spent his remaining days.

John Neff was born on the home farm in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, April 4, 1793. After the death of his father, and while yet a young man, he migrated with his mother and one sister to Fairfield County, Ohio where he lived for a year. Moving from there to Athens County, Ohio, he took up wild land, and on the farm that he improved remained until January, 1865. Coming then to Wells County, this state, he located in Harrison Township, on section 18, where he followed farming until his death, March 19, 1872. He was a democrat in politics and loyal to the interests of his party. He married May 28, 1827, in Fairfield County, Ohio, Catherine Neff, a native of Somerset County, Pennsylvania, being a daughter of John Neff, who emigrated from Germany to the United States and subsequently served as a soldier in the War of 1812. She died on the home farm on the very same day that her husband died, her death occurring within six hours of his, and both were buried in one grave. They were a most estimable couple, and devoted to each other, never after their marriage having been separated from one another more than twenty-four hours at a time. Nine children blessed their union, as follows: Levi, who died in Bluffton in 1884; Anna B.; Margaret E., deceased, was the wife of Samuel Friedline; Mary Magdaline, deceased; Amelia and Sarah, twins, both deceased; Catherine, deceased, was the wife of Adam Bartemaly; Jacob J., and Caroline, wife of George Higman. Both parents were faithful members of the Presbyterian Church.

Fifteen years of age when he came with the family to Harrison Township, Wells County, Jacob J. Neff assisted his father in the improvement of the home farm, which is located two and a half miles southwest of Bluffton. Succeeding to the ownership of the property, he is carrying on general farming with highly satisfactory results, being one of the enterprising and progressive agriculturists of the community, owning forty acres.

Mr. Neff married, August 5, 1880, Sarah M. Zirkle, who was born in New Haven, West Virginia, April 1, 1844, a daughter of Noah and Nancy (Baumgartner) Zirkle, who settled in Wells County in 1880. She died October 14, 1885, leaving two children, Louisa May and Clara V.

Louisa May Neff, born September 1, 1881, has been twice married. On March 5, 1898, she married Charles E. Sellers, who died October 31, 1902, leaving her with one son, Charles E. Sellers, born February 19, 1902. Mrs. Sellers married for her second husband, in 1904, William H. Gilbert of Rock Creek Township, Wells County, and their only child, Martha M. Gilbert, was born March 29, 1905.

Clara V. Neff, born January 15, 1884, married, December 22, 1901, Oscar W. Lane, and they are the parents of three children, Leona Mae, born November 16, 1902; Eva Eloise, born April 18, 1904; and Mary E., born May 23, 1908. A steadfast democrat in politics, Mr. Neff has been active in party ranks, and has served as superintendent of the good toads in Harrison Township. He is a valued member of the Prairie Methodist Episcopal Church to which his wife also belongs.

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. 514-515.

JOHN NEFF, deceased, was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, April 1793. His father, Jacob Neff, was born in Germany and came to this country before the Revolutionary war. He died in 1777. His wife, Anna Barbara Copp, was also a native of the old country. Our subject was reared on a farm in his native county. He and his mother and one sister removed to Fairfield County, Ohio, which was then a new country. He was married in that county May 28, 1827, to Miss Catherine Neff, daughter of John Neff, who was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Her father was born in the old country, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Neff settled in Fairfield County, where they lived about one year, then removed to Athens County, where Mr. Neff followed farming until 1865. He then came to this county and purchased his present homestead on section 18, Harrison Township. Mr. and Mrs. Neff have had nine children, all of whom lived to be grown—Levi died in Bluffton in 1884; Anna B.; Margaret E., deceased, was the wife of Samuel Friedline; Mary M., deceased; Amelia and Sarah, twins (Sarah is deceased); Catherine, wife of Adam Bartemaley; Jacob J., and Caroline, wife of George Higman. Mr. and Mrs. Neff were members of the Presbyterian church. Politically Mr. Neff affiliated with the Democratic party. They both died March 19, 1872, and were buried in one grave, never having been separated for twenty-four hours since their marriage. They had six children born in Athens County. Jacob Neff, a son of the preceding, was born in Athens County, Ohio, October 28, 1850. He lived on the farm in his native county until he was fifteen years of age, then came with his father to Wells County, where he grew to manhood. He was married August 5, 1880, to Miss Sarah M. Zirkel, a native of West Virginia, and daughter of Noah and Nancy (Baumgartner) Zirkel. She came to this county in the spring of 1880, and has since resided here. Mr. and Mrs. Neff had two children—Louisa May, born September 1, 1881, and Clara Virginia, born January 15, 1884. Mrs. Neff died October 14, 1885. In politics Mr. Neff is a Democrat.

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

Recurrences to the past, with the recollections and associations which cause it to pass in lifelike review before our mental vision, will continue to be, as of yore, a source of satisfaction, especially when they connect themselves with facts and incidents reflected from our own experience. These reminders remain with the life of the participants when no landmarks remain to save us the pictures faintly delineated on the tablets of memory. To preserve from forgetfulness the leading facts in the lives of the pioneers and older citizens of our country is the work devolved upon the writers of this work. Biography fails in its mission when it fails to preserve these valuable facts committed to its care. More than any other form of history, it commands the most interested attention for the reason that it is largely a record of our own experiences as seen reflected from the careers of others who have traveled the rugged pathway of life as our companions, acquaintances and friends. In the life of the gentleman whose name introduces this article the reader will find much that is interesting and instructive. An honored resident of Wells county for over a half century and a gallant soldier in one of the greatest wars of history, he has borne well his part in life and now, when the shadows have deepened, he looks back over his long and useful career, finding in the retrospect little to condemn and much to commend. Solomon B. Nelson is a native of Ohio and the son of James and Sarah (Beals) Nelson, both parents born in Pennsylvania. James Nelson was taken to Wayne county, Ohio, when a small boy, and there grew to maturity and married. Shortly after taking to himself a helpmeet he removed to the county of Stark, where he owned a farm, and for some years lived in that section of the state, engaging in agriculture and blacksmithing. About 1844 he disposed of his place and moved his family to Adams county, Indiana, where he purchased a quarter section of timber land, thirty-five acres of which were cleared and reduced to cultivation during the five years that followed. In 1849 Mr. Nelson sold this place at a good figure and came to Wells county, locating in the township of Lancaster, where he bought an eighty-acre farm on which the remainder of his life was spent. In connection with agriculture he worked at blacksmithing and by industry and successful management succeeded in accumulating a sufficiency of this world's goods to place himself in comfortable circumstances. James Nelson was a man of excellent parts, honest and industrious and the embodiment of all that was honorable and upright in citizenship. For many years he served as class leader in the Methodist church and he always tried to measure his life according to the high standard of excellence as found in the life and teachings of the man of Nazareth. In politics he was a Democrat and as such was elected to various local offices, among which was that of township trustee. James and Sarah Nelson were the parents of twelve children, all but one reaching the years of maturity, four sons, Solomon B., William, Silas and Sanford P., serving their country faithfully during the great Rebellion.

Solomon B. Nelson was born in Wayne county, Ohio, July 30, 1837, and was a lad of about eleven when his parents moved to the county of Wells. Aside from the daily routine of labor on the farm, varied of winter seasons by attending the common schools, his early life was marked by no striking incident or fact worthy of note. He grew up to the full requirement that man should earn his bread by honest toil and from his excellent parents learned those lessons of duty and correct living which redounded so greatly to his advantage in after years. After completing the public school course he taught one term, but not caring to devote his attention exclusively to educational work soon exchanged that calling for the vocation of farming.

In April, 1860, Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Clark, a native of Ohio who came to Wells county with her parents as early as the year 1839. Her father, Allen Clark, a native of Pennsylvania, was of Irish descent and her mother, who bore the maiden name of Florinda Marquis, was born and reared in Ohio. The childhood and youthful years of Mrs. Nelson were spent on the home farm in Lancaster and after receiving a good common school education she taught for some time in the village of Eaglesville. Immediately following his marriage Mr. Nelson turned his attention to farming, but was not very long permitted to pursue that vocation undisturbed. The President's call for volunteers to crush the rebellion in the southern states so appealed to his patriotism that he at once tendered his services to his country in its time of need. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Thirty-fourth Indiana Infantry, Captain William Swain, and after spending a short time at Anderson, Indiana, proceeded to the front, meeting the enemy for the first time at New Madrid, Missouri. Subsequently the regiment was sent to Memphis, Tennessee, thence up White river to meet the force under General Curtis and later to Port Gibson, on the Mississippi, where the subject took part in one of the hard fought battles of the war. Mr. Nelson shared with his comrades the vicissitudes and fortunes of war in a number of campaigns in different states and proved his bravery and loyalty under many trying circumstances. He participated in the bloody engagement at Champion Hill, Mississippi, where his colonel was severely wounded, and some time thereafter was obliged to take hospital treatment for disability brought on by exposure and over-exertion. At the expiration of his period of enlistment, December, 1863, he was discharged, but the following year reenlisted and served until the close of the war, being mustered out the second time at New York City on the 26th of June, 1865. While in the service Mr. Nelson's eyes became seriously affected and at one time it was feared his sight would be lost. He has never recovered from this ailment, his vision being very greatly impaired at the present time, so much so in fact that it is impossible for him to perceive any but very large and distinct objects. For this misfortune he is partially reimbursed by a pension of seventy-two dollars per month, which, though quite liberal, by no means compensates him for the loss of vision. After the war Mr. Nelson took up his residence at Eagleville, where he supported his family by various kinds of manual labor until his diminishing eyesight compelled him to retire from active life. When it became impossible for him to work, he moved to Bluffton and here he has resided since 1883, honored and respected by all who know him. He purchased a beautiful and comfortable home and, barring his disability, is well situated to enjoy the many blessings of life by which he is surrounded.

Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have had five children, namely: Florence E., born January 16, 1861, died at the age of twenty months; Rachel E., born January 15, 1865, married J. Z. Brickley and departed this life some years ago; Marion F. was born September 22, 1866, married Irene B. Cobbins and is now in the United States mail service, having charge of Rural Route No. 6; Martha J., born January 1, 1869, died when seven years old; the youngest of the family, Allen C., whose birth occurred on the 6th day of May, 1878, is a compositor in the office of the Bluffton Chronicle and News.

Prior to the Rebellion Mr. Nelson was a Democrat, but after the war he joined the Republican party and has been one of its earnest supporters ever since, though not a partisan in the sense the term is generally understood. He belongs to the Grand Army post at Bluffton and takes an active interest in all of its deliberations. His religious creed is represented by the Presbyterian church, of which body he has been an earnest and consistent member for many years; Mrs. Nelson also belongs to the same denomination. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are among the oldest and best known residents of Wells county and all who are favored with their acquaintance speak in the highest terms of their many sterling qualities of head and heart. They have lived long and well, have done their duty without fear or favor and the future awaits them with abundant rewards.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 162-165.

George R. Nevius, son of James and Nancy (McClelland) Nevius, was born in Lewisburg, Greenbrier county, Virginia (now West Virginia), December 22, 1842. James Nevius was a native of Rockbridge county, Virginia, but was of New Jersey parentage, the family having settled in Virginia in an early day where his father was a slaveholder and by trade a blacksmith. He died in the Old Dominion in 1840, his widow surviving him for ten years. In 1842 James Nevius removed to Charleston, West Virginia, where he was employed at his trade of blacksmith. He was a man of great physical strength and for a number of years was accustomed to work nineteen hours per day. He was of the strictest integrity and for half a century was a member of the Presbyterian church, in the faith of which he died in 1882. His family numbered nine children, of whom five are still living, George R. being the only resident of Wells county.

George R. Nevius was educated in the military school at Charlottesville, Virginia, after an attendance in an academy at Washington Court House, Ohio. In 1861 he came to southern Indiana and September 23, 1862, enlisted at Brookville in the First Indiana Cavalry and fought in the Missouri campaigns under Gens. Fremont and Curtis. He was a true soldier, never shirking his duty, and took part in all the marches, skirmishes and battles in which his regiment was engaged, his service expiring while stationed at Helena, Arkansas. On his discharge, in 1864, he located in Franklin county, Indiana, where he was engaged in farming for a short time and then for two years was a grain dealer at Oxford, Ohio, and then embarked in the same business at New Castle, Indiana, where he had an extensive trade.

In 1869 Mr. Nevius came to Greenwood, Wells county, and conducted a lucrative lumber trade until 1896, operating a saw-mill here for nearly thirty years. Mr. Nevius was united in marriage December 24, 1863, with Miss Emma Murphy, of Franklin county, Indiana, and to this union four children have been born, namely: Ida, who is the wife of C. W. Eastman, of Winchester, Indiana; Burton B., the present marshal of Huntington, Indiana; Minnie, wife of Woodson Archbold, and James D., who is a fireman on the Erie railroad.

George R. Nevius held allegiance for many years to the Republican party, though exercising his own common sense and right to think for himself, he decided, in 1896, to support the Democratic party, though he today is what may be termed an independent. He is plain and straightforward in expressing his views and is thus termed a plain-spoken man; but what he says is based upon sound, logical reasoning. He judges for himself and is willing to grant the same privilege to everybody else, but never indulges a sense of animosity on account of a difference in honest convictions.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 487-488.

WILLIAM J. NEWHARD, merchant at Uniondale, came in 1859, with his wife and three children, from Mahoning County, Ohio, and made a location in Union Township, Wells County, Indiana. He purchased his land, which was all in the green with the exception of ten acres. He was a farmer in Ohio, and followed that avocation for many years after locating in Indiana. His cabin was the first that was built npon his land, and is still standing, one of the few monuments of pioneer life to be seen in that neighborhood. His parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Weaver) Newhard, were natives of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, and in the borough of Allentown our subject was born. While residing in Pennsylvania Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Newhard became the parents of three sons and one daughter—Samuel F., William J., Dillworth and Ellen M. In 1837 the family removed to Trumbull, now Mahoning County, Ohio, and there another son was born—-Charles W. The death of the mother occurred in that county, but the father is still living, at the ripe old age of eighty-three years. William J. is the only child that came to this State. December 15, 1853, he married Miss Mary A., daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Hart) Ashburn, and they became the parents of seven children, six of whom are living — Sarah E., wife of Enoch Taylor; Henry N., who married Ollie Cotton, and William F. were born in Ohio; Emma E., deceased, wife of Clark Scott, Samuel W., who married Annie Meeks, Ida B. and Oscar 0. were born in this county. Mrs. Newhard died August 18, 1874, and in October, 1875, Mr. Newhard married Miss Eliza Crum, of Mahoning County, Ohio. After coming to Wells County Mr. Newhard made several purchases of land, and now owns 220 acres of finely improved land. After the new town of Uniondale was platted, in 1883, he began to purchase grain, and was the first to engage in that business in the village. In 1884 he built a residence in the village, leaving his sons, Henry H. and Samuel W., in charge of the farm. Prior to his removal to Uniondale he had formed a partnership with Henry W. Lippey in the mercantile business, and this enterprise was the first of its kind in the new town. In 1884 Mr. W. F. Newhard became associated with his father in the grain trade, and in 1886 Mr. Lippey also became a partner. Mr. Newhard was elected justice of the peace of Union Township in 1877, and served four years. He has never been an aspirant for official positions, but attends strictly to his business. Since August, 1886, he has purchased and shipped thirty-eight carloads. This enterprise is steadily growing, and a warehouse, 16 x 35 feet, was built in 1884. In March, 1886, a postoffice was established at Uniondale, chiefly through his instrumentality, and Henry W. Lippey was appointed postmaster, Mr. Newhard serving as deputy. The office is located in their store, making it a central place for trade. Mr. Newhard is not only a pioneer farmer, but is oue of the first business men of Uniondale, one of the most thriving villages of its size along the line of the Chicago & Atlantic Railroad.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 656-657.

MILES N. NEWMAN, M. D., was born in Van Buren County, Iowa, December 29, 1843, son of William and Hannah (Halliday) Newman. The Newman family are of German ancestry, and were residents of Virginia. William, the father, was born in Ohio, and married in Morgan County, Illinois. After marriage they emigrated to Iowa, settling in Henry County, about 1838. A few years later the family removed to Van Buren County, entered a half section of land, and the parents are yet living upon the original entry. They have six children—James H., of California; Ellen, widow of Lafayette Spencer, of California; Lorenzo D., of Montana; John D., Hannah M. E. and Miles N. The latter was employed upon his fatherÂ’s farm until he was sixteen years of age, and then matriculated at the Iowa Wesleyan University, at Mount Pleasant; but after attending one year, enlisted in Company H, Third Iowa Cavalry. Until 1864 his regiment was on duty west of the Mississippi, and was then transferred to Nashville, Tennessee. He was actively engaged during the war for four years, and participated in the battles of MooreÂ’s Mills, Kirksville, Missouri, Hartsville, Batesville, and Little Rock, Arkansas, and numerous other engagements. He enlisted as a private, was early appointed Corporal, and by virtue of merit promoted to Orderly Sergeant, in which capacity he remained during his term of service. After his return from the army Mr. Newman completed his classical course, and in 1867 began the study of medicine under the tutelage of Dr. J. N. Norris, of Birmingham, Iowa, and matriculated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Keokuk, Iowa, in the fall of 1868. He attended a second course during the winter of 1870—‘71, and graduated in the spring of that year. Prior to his graduation he was actively engaged in practice at Bainsville, Kansas, and later returned to that village, where he remained until 1873, at which time he located at Birmingham, Iowa. June 11, 1874, he was married in that city to Miss Mary G. Wilson, daughter of William P. and Susanna Wilson, well-known residents of this county. February 20, 1887, a permanent location was made at Ossian, where he has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1885 he was elected trustee of Jefferson Township, and at the expiration of his term was re-elected. He has charge of the schools in his township, and has exerted his powers in securing the most competent teachers for the sixteen schools in Jefferson, and the graded school at Ossian is second to none in the county. More school-houses have been built, and the cause of education more largely promoted, during the doctor’s term as trustee than ever before, and his re-election is ample evidence that the public appreciates his services. Dr. Newman and his wife have had one son, Sidney, born September 7, 1875, and died August 26, 1883.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 693-694.

WILLIAM B. NIMMONS, an active and enterprising business man, and proprietor of the Oil Barrel Heading and Stave Factory at Bluffton, is a native of New York State, born in the vicinity of Seneca Falls in 1836, a son of James and Elizabeth (McKim) Nimmons. They were the parents of eight children, five sons and three daughters, our subject being the eldest son. When he was fourteen years old his home was broken up by the death of his mother, and from that early age he was thrown upon his own resources. He then learned the cooper's trade with his uncles, B. F. and William McKim, at Bellevue, Ohio, and after serving an apprenticeship of three years, began to receive wages. He worked as a journeyman cooper until becoming of age, when he accepted the position of foreman in a barrel factory at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, where he was employed for one year, after which he accepted a similar position at Bellevue, Ohio. Mr. Nimmons was married at Bellevue in 1857 to Miss Mary A. Wright, a daughter of the late William Wright. Three children have been born to this union, all dying in infancy. During the latter part of 1861 Mr. Nimmons went to Saginaw, Michigan, where he was employed as superintendent of the salt works of Flagner & York until 1866. He then went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he was in the employ of the Standard Oil Company, as barrel inspector, until 1870. In that year he came to Bluffton, Wells County, Indiana, and engaged in the manufacture of staves and headings for oil barrels, being a member of the firm of Nimmons & Co. until 1882, since which time he has been sole proprietor. He is also operating a similiar [sic] factory at Celina, Ohio. Mr. Nimmons is a member of the Presbyterian church at Bluffton.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 877-878.

DAVID NOE, one of the early settlers of Chester Township, was born in Clermont County, Ohio, twenty-five miles east of Cincinnati, the date of his birth being December 29, 1818. His father, Searing Noe, was a native of North Carolina, born in Surry County, and when two years of age was taken by his parents to Ohio, his father working at the shoemaker’s trade at Cincinnati some eight or ten years while the family lived on the farm in Clermont County. There Searing Noe was reared to the avocation of a farmer, which he followed the greater part of his life. He was married in Clermont County to Miss Margaret McFalls, who was born near Redstone, Virginia, of Irish descent. When David Noe, our subject, was in his fifth year his parents settled in Rush County, Indiana, where the mother died in 1842. The father subsequently sold his property in Rush County and removed to Wapello County, Iowa, where he lived until his death, which occurred about the year 1862. David Noe remained with his parents in Rush County until he was sixteen years of age, where he was reared amid pioneer scenes in that new-settled country. Game was then found in abundance, and much of his time was spent in trapping and hunting. After leaving home he went to live with a great uncle in Montgomery County, Ohio, and while a resident of that county was married near Fort Defiance, Ohio, to Miss Harriet Goodnoe, May 31, 1846. She was born in Madison County, Indiana. Her father came from the State of Massachusetts, and her mother from Pennsylvania. Her father died in Butler County in 1834, and her mother died in Madison County, Indiana, in 1842, while on a visit to the old home place. Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Noe, one daughter, Louesia, is deceased. Those living are—Mary, wife of Martin Baker, of Jackson Township; Oliver married Cynthia Jane Penrod, and lives in Chester Township; Oscar, living in Liberty Township; Ida, wife of Christopher H. Popejoy, of Liberty Township; Hattie, wife of O. D. Garrett, of Liberty Township, and Ettie, living at home with her parents. In 1852 Mr. Noe came by team to Indiana, bringing his family and household effects in three wagons. They settled on the place in Chester Township where they now reside, Mr. Noe having purchased eighty acres of land here in October, 1837. Before bringing his family here he had hired a man to build him a log cabin. This dwelling was of the rudest description, built without doors or windows, a quilt covering the aperture where the door should be. Mr. Noe did not hunt much after coining to Indiana, although he killed several deer in the early days of the county. He has cleared about sixty acres of his land, and his present farm dwellings and out-buildings are comfortable and commodious, all the improvements on the place being done by Mr. Noe. In politics Mr. Noe has been a lifelong Democrat, casting his first presidential vote for Martin Van Buren in 1840. He has served two terms as assessor of Chester Township, and once was elected justice of the peace, but declined the office. He was a member of the Democratic Central Committee in Chester Township shortly after coming to the county. He is an active and enterprising citizen, and is always interested in the advancement of his township or county, and during his long residence in the county has gained the respect of all who know him.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 852-853.

William H. Norton and Sarah A. Huggins were married March 25, 1848. Their family consists of: Ellen E., born January 24, 1849; Rachel M., May 12, 1851; Jane P., September 23, 1853; John W., October 20, 1856; Francis M., December 24, 1858; Sarah M., July 30, 1860; Esther A., February 26, 1863; Mary R., June 28, 1866; George M., September 28, 1870, died April 15, 1871. William Norton’s parents, James E. and Elizabeth (West) Norton, settled in Wells county in 1849. The former died in 1873; the latter died in 1850. Mrs. Norton was born in Virginia, in the year 1830. Her parents, William and Penelope (------) Huggins, removed to Wells county in 1842; are deceased. William H. Norton resides in Liberty township. He settled in Wells county in 1842. He was born in Kentucky. John W. Norton and Laura B. Holsapple were united in marriage by Rev. B. Hollman of the United Brethren Church, February 7, 1880, at Worthington Crossing. Business, farming. Address, Poneto.

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

GEORGE NUSBAUMER, farmer, Nottingham Township, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, August 11, 1842, son of Joseph and Barbara (Schwaller) Nusbaumer. His father was born in Sollatown, Switzerland, where he was reared to mechanical pursuits. He was married in Switzerland, and all of his children were born in that country except George. In 1842 the family immigrated to America, and at once located in Wayne County, Ohio. There the father followed farming and grocery keeping until 1863, when he removed to this county and settled in Nottingham Township, where his son, John J., bought a piece of land, and there the father died in September, 1865, and the mother in October, 1876. Both are buried in McDaniel’s cemetery. George was reared in his native county and resided there permanently until 1862, when he enlisted in the civil war for three years. While in the service his parents removed to Wells County, Indiana, where he also came in 1865 and bought forty acres of land where he now resides. About fifteen acres were cleared, but there were no improvements. Two years later he bought forty acres more, upon which had been built a log cabin, and there he removed his family. He built his present brick residence in 1875. Mr. Nusbaumer now owns 120 acres of land, of which seventy acres are cleared, He was married in Wayne County, Ohio, January 27, 1866, to Miss Catherine Hunsinger, a native of that county and daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth Hunsinger. Her father was born in Baden, Germany, and was a weaver by trade. Her mother was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, and from there removed to Wayne County, Ohio, where she was married. Both are living a retired life, the father at the age of eighty-six, and the mother seventy-seven. Mr. and Mrs. Nusbaumer have had ten children, of whom three, John F., Clark and Willie, are deceased. The living are—Elizabeth, Alpha Albertus, Barbara Ann, George Raymond, Phebe May, Vedie Zell and Jessie Lee. In August, 1862, Mr. Nusbaumer enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Seventh Ohio Infantry, the regiment rendezvousing at Cleveland. Thence they went to Covington, Kentucky, thence to Camp Delaware, Ohio, thence to Alexandria, Virginia, joining the Eleventh Army Corps, under General Franz Sigel. His first general engagement was at Chancellorsville. At that battle the bugler was killed, and Mr. Nusbaumer supplied his place, At the celebrated battle of Gettysburg he carried the right guide, and his regiment was one of the supports of Pickett's battery when they were attacked by the Louisiana Tigers, in the second day’s fight. Mr. Nusbaumer carried from the field the colors of the Eighth Louisiana Regiment, captured in the hand-to-hand fight over the guns. He next took part in the engagement at Fort Wagner, one of the defenses of Charleston, his division becoming a part of the Army of the Gulf. He took part in all the movements of his regiment until, in Florida, he was made a member of the regimental band, and during the last six months of the service he served in that capacity. He was discharged at Charleston, South Carolina, July 10, 1865, and returned home by way of New York to Cleveland; thence to Wayne County, Ohio; thence to Wells County three weeks later. He was a brave soldier, never shirking any duty, however arduous. In politics he is a Democrat. Himself and wife are members of the Christian church.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 877-878.

JOHN J. NUSBAUMER, farmer, Nottingham Township, was born near Canton Solothurn, Switzerland, February 29, 1824, son of Joseph and Barbara (Schwaller) Nusbaumer, also natives of that country, where the father followed farming and milling. John J. assisted his father in his work, and in 1842, when he was eighteen years of age, the family left their native land, and going through France to Havre, took passage on the ship Ville de Lyons. After a pleasant voyage of thirty-six days they arrived in New York the last of June. The father preceded them one year, and had purchased 100 acres of land in Wayne County, Ohio, then went back to Switzerland for his family. From New York they went up the Hudson River, the Erie Canal, Lake Erie to Cleveland, thence by canal to Massillon, and by wagon to their new home. There they followed farming, butchering, changing to grocery keeping, etc., until 1863, then removed to Wells County, where our subject bought eighty acres of land where he now resides, about forty acres being partly cleared. He has added to his original purchase until he now owns 160 acres of excellent land, 100 acres being cleared of timber. His father died in September, 1865, and his mother in October, 1876. John J. was married in this county July 12, 1863, to Elizabeth Warner, a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, and a daughter of Isaac and Mary (Dundoor) Warner, natives of Pennsylvania. Her father died when she was a small child, and her mother afterward married Samuel Shoemaker. She died when Mrs. Nusbaumer was fourteen years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Nusbaumer are the parents of ten children?Alexander and Lewis A. (twins), Franklin, Mary Ann, Christina, Magdalena, Sarah Ann, Agnes, Catherine and Eva. The parents and family are members of the Catholic church, and in politics he is a Democrat.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 759-760.

LEVI NUTTER was born in Nottingham Township, Wells County, Indiana, March 25, 1843, son of Benjamin S. and Margaret (Martin) Nutter. His father was born in Virginia, and at the age of twelve years, his father having died, he removed with his mother to Hocking County, Ohio, and about 1840 removed to this county. He entered forty acres of land in Nottingham Township, where James Williams now resides. This land was covered with a heavy growth of timber. He commenced at once to make a clearing, and with the logs cut down erected his first cabin. He was very fond of hunting, and as wild game was plenty he found plenty to do in that line. He had to go twenty miles for corn, then carry it on his back to Bluffton for grinding. Horses were very scarce. One was occasionally brought from Ohio, but would go back when opportunity offered. He lived to see the day when all game was driven out, stock of all kinds was plenty, and the country all settled. He was quite homesick, however, and made twenty four trips back and forth to Hocking County in a covered wagon. He died April 19, 1883. The mother of our subject was born in Ohio, near the Big Sandy River. Levi was reared in this county, and this has always been his home with the exception of two years spent in Coles County, Illinois. When he was ten years old his mother died, but he continued to live with his father until he reached his majority. In 1877 he bought eighty acres of land, which is his present home, it being partially cleared. There were no buildings, and these he has erected. He was married March 8, 1866, to Miss Margaret E. Blair, born in Seneca County, Ohio, and daughter of Isaac and Margaret (Weeks) Blair. Her father was a native of Ross County, Ohio, and removed to Wells County, this State, in 1845, where the mother died in 1873, and the father in 1880. To this union were born ten children, of whom one, Margaret, is deceased. Those living are--Robert, Elizabeth, Sabina, Jesse, Mollie, Alice, James B., Stella, May and Levi. Mr. Nutter entered the service of the Union in 1863, as a member of Company A, Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry, and was attached to the Thirteenth Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland. He followed the fortunes of that division from the time of the taking of Vicksburg till the close of the war, participating in the last fight of the Rebellion at Forts Spanish and Blakely and the capture of Mobile. He was discharged in 1865 and returned home. Mr. Nutter is a Democrat in politics, and has held the offices of road superintendent and township trustee two years each. He owns 117 acres of land, of which ninety acres are cleared. Himself and wife are members of the United Brethren church, and he is a class-leader of the congregation at Good Hope.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 851-852.

LEVI NUTTER was born in Nottingham Township, Wells County, Indiana, March 25, 1843, son of Benjamin S. and Margaret (Martin) Nutter. His father was born in Virginia, and at the age of twelve years, his father having died, he removed with his mother to Hocking County, Ohio, and about 1840 removed to this county. He entered forty acres of land in Nottingham Township, where James Williams now resides. This land was covered with a heavy growth of timber. He commenced at once to make a clearing, and with the logs cut down erected his first cabin. He was very fond of hunting, and as wild game was plenty he found plenty to do in that line. He had to go twenty miles for corn, then carry it on his back to Bluffton for grinding. Horses were very scarce. One was occasionally brought from Ohio, but would go back when opportunity offered. He lived to see the day when all game was driven out, stock of all kinds was plenty, and the country all settled. He was quite homesick, however, and made twenty four trips back and forth to Hocking County in a covered wagon. He died April 19, 1883. The mother of our subject was born in Ohio, near the Big Sandy River. Levi was reared in this county, and this has always been his home with the exception of two years spent in Coles County, Illinois. When he was ten years old his mother died, but he continued to live with his father until he reached his majority. In 1877 he bought eighty acres of land, which is his present home, it being partially cleared. There were no buildings, and these he has erected.

He was married March 8, 1866, to Miss Margaret E. Blair, born in Seneca County, Ohio, and daughter of Isaac and Margaret (Weeks) Blair. Her father was a native of Ross County, Ohio, and removed to Wells County, this State, in 1845, where the mother died in 1873, and the father in 1880. To this union were born ten children, of whom one, Margaret, is deceased. Those living are--Robert, Elizabeth, Sabina, Jesse, Mollie, Alice, James B., Stella, May and Levi. Mr. Nutter entered the service of the Union in 1863, as a member of Company A, Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry, and was attached to the Thirteenth Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland. He followed the fortunes of that division from the time of the taking of Vicksburg till the close of the war, participating in the last fight of the Rebellion at Forts Spanish and Blakely and the capture of Mobile. He was discharged in 1865 and returned home. Mr. Nutter is a Democrat in politics, and has held the offices of road superintendent and township trustee two years each. He owns 117 acres of land, of which ninety acres are cleared. Himself and wife are members of the United Brethren church, and he is a class-leader of the congregation at Good Hope.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 851-852.