Jessee Tannehill was born in Hocking county, Ohio, December 27, 1825, died March 10, 1874. He was a resident of Harrison township, and devoted to farming and stock-raising. He settled in Wells county in 1845; was married in that county, December 25, 1851. His father, Samuel tannehill, was born in Maryland in 1786, died in 1852. His mother, Mary (Moon) Tannehill, was born in Pennsylvania in 1784, died February 22, 1873. His wife, Catherine (Grove), was born in Licking county, Ohio, April 26, 1829. Their two children are: Mary Louisa, born October 15, 1854, and Joseph G., April 5, 1859, died in 1877. Catherine Grove is a daughter of Thomas and Anna (Wilson) Grove, settlers of Wells county in 1839. The former was born in Pennsylvania, January 18, 1806; the latter born in Ohio, January 23, 1808, died August 18, 1864. Catherine Tannehill’s brother, Joshua S. Grove, served in the late war. When Mr. Tannehill removed to Wells county he suffered all the privations of a pioneer life, being for many weeks at a time without bread in the house, their only sustenance being potatoes and hominy. Their milling was done at Greenville. Business, farming and stock-raising. Address, Worthington.

Historical Hand-Atlas, With Complete Reference Map of the World, History of Wells Co., IN, Chicago & Toledo: H. H. Hardesty & Co., 1881, p. 213.
Transcribed by Kathy Davis

One of the representative citizens and prosperous agriculturists of Wells County is Oliver F. Tate, whose valuable farm is situated on section 16, Chester Township. Mr. Tate was born on this place, October 20, 1858. His parents were John and Cynthia (Beason) Tate.

Many of the leading families of Indiana originated in Virginia and there John Tate, the father, was born in 1835 and came from there in early manhood to Wayne County, Indiana. Here he was married to Cynthia Beason, who was born in this county August 28, 1841. After marriage they moved to Wells County, and here John Tate, in 1857, bought forty acres of land located near Chester Center, in Chester Township. He immediately began to improve his property but his work was interrupted by the outbreak of the Civil war. In 1861 he enlisted in Company A, Forth-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry and served until incapacitated by wounds, at Helena, Arkansas, in 1863. There were two children in the family; Oliver F and Jane, who is the widow of Charles Beavington of Warren, Indiana

Oliver F. Tate had comparatively few advantages of any kind in boyhood, for life was hard on the pioneer farm while the father was away serving and suffering for his country. He went to school as opportunity offered until he was thirteen years old, and then started out to face the world for himself. He fortunately found plenty of farmers willing to employ a strong, vigorous, industrious boy, and until he was twenty years old he worked in Wells County and then visited some of the western states. He remained away for about two years, but in his travels found no place that suited him better than the old home neighborhood, and came back and in the fall of 1883 settled on his present farm. He has 106 acres in Chester Township, all the result of his own industry, and has made improvements that render his property very valuable. He carries on a general farming line and raises some good stock.

Mr. Tate was married on November 9, 1882, to Miss Emma Helm, who was born, reared and educated in Randolph County, Indiana. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Tate settled first in Jackson Township, but subsequently moved to Chester Township. The following children have been born to them: Lula, who is a graduate of the Keystone High School; John, who was graduated from the public schools and then entered the regular army of the United States, with a rank of quarter-master-sergeant, and has served in the Philippine Islands and on the Mexican border, a young man well deserving the military honors that have come to him; Benjamin, who is the home farmer, his father's right hand man; Edna, who has completed the common school course; and Hugh, who is a student in the Keystone High School

Mr. Tate is an active and influential factor in county politics, a republican leader to some extent. He has served as school director and as a deputy township assessor and also has been a delegate to both state and congressional conventions.

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. 539-540.
Transcribed by Dawn Maddox Montgomery

BENJAMIN F. TAYLOR was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, October 2, 1812, son of Ebenezer and Margaret (Foster) Taylor, of Irish ancestry. The father was born in New Jersey, and was a son of Thomas and Ruth (Sprague) Taylor; the latter was probably born in New Jersey. The family came to Ohio about 1785, settling in what is now Jefferson County, where the parents both remained until their death. Their children were—Ebenezer, John, Henry, Cornelius, Rannel, Hiram, William, Ann, Ruth and Jane. Of these children, Ebenezer, the oldest, was the father of our subject. All the brothers and sisters lived, married and died in Ohio, except Cornelius, who is now a resident of Bartholomew County, Indiana. The children of Ebenezer and his wife were--Benjamin, our subject, Hannah, Ann, Thomas, Ebenezer, Henry, Andrew, James, Ruth, Richard, Zebra and Margaret J. The father of Mrs. Taylor, Benjamin Foster, was a resident of West Virginia, near Wellsburg, when his daughter married Mr. Taylor. He was of German descent, and his wife, Hannah Peirce, was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. They had several children—Andrew, Aaron, Samuel, Benjamin, Margaret, Hannah and Elizabeth. This family all came to Ohio except Samuel. About 1816 the parents of our subject moved to Coshocton County, Ohio, settling on a quarter section of land given by Benjamin Foster to his daughter, Mrs. Taylor. They settled in the dense woods, and were among the early pioneers of that country. Mr. Taylor frequently, when a boy, drove the deer and wild turkey out of his father's dooryard. Those were the good old times when neighbors were neighborly, and when men would go eight and ten miles through the pathless woods to assist in a cabin-raising or a log-rolling. The principal music was the ring of the sturdy pioneer’s ax. Children were rocked to sleep in sugar troughs, and snugly tucked between soft woolen blankets, could almost see the twinkling stars as they peered through the crevices of the logs that formed the walls of their cabin home. Their ears were filled with the mournful cries of the catamounts that often came near the cabins at night. As the settlements became more numerous, the game became scarce, and by the time our subject was grown to maturity scarcely anything was left but deer. Benjamin was not a hunter, but was “death” to the squirrels, which were so plentiful it was with difficulty the corn was protected until it was sprouted. In fact, the main business of the children was to watch the fields in the spring time to keep the squirrels from digging up the newly planted corn. When Benjamin was eighteen years of age he was apprenticed to learn the carpenter’s and cabinet-maker’s trade. By this was meant to hew logs and make the material ready, taking it from the stump. He was quite a contractor and builder, and for several years worked at the trade in Ohio. October 13, 1836, he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Campbell, daughter of James and Hannah (Ogan) Campbell, who were then living in Coshocton County. James Campbell was born near Dublin, Ireland, and when sixteen years of age emigrated alone to America. He was first married to Mary Rodgers, and they had four children—William, Evan, Sally and Elizabeth. He was one of the heroes of the war of 1812, serving under the command of General Anthony Wayne. He helped to build Fort Deposit and Fort Recovery, and was Sergeant of his company. He had a fine education and was an excellent penman, a teacher, and a weaver of linen in Ireland. His parents were William and Nancy Campbell. After his return from the war of 1812 his wife died, and he afterward married Hannah Ogan, daughter of Peter and Phamia (Biven) Ogan. Her mother was a Bonsler, and the family were natives of New Jersey, and were Quakers. They lived in that country during the war of the Revolution, but would not carry arms. Three children were born to James Campbell and his second wife—Phamia, Peter and Nancy, the latter being the wife of our subject. She was born in Belmont County, Ohio, September 12, 1815, and was past twenty-one years of age when married. Their children numbered thirteen— Hannah J., wife of John McCorkle; Ebenezer, who was a brave soldier during the late war, and lost his health and his life during his term of service, being a member of Company A, Thirtieth Indiana Infantry; Henry C., also deceased; William H., who enlisted in August, 1862, in Company G, One Hundred and First Indiana Infantry, passed through the entire war, is now the husband of Mary Donnelly and resides in Pike County, Ohio; Mary A. became the wife of Freeman Taylor, a carriage manufacturer in Trumbull County, Ohio; Cornelius married Mary Ashburn, and is a resident of Jefferson Township; Elizabeth is the wife of David Huss, who resides on Mr. Taylor's farm. In 1853 the family settled in Jefferson Township, this county, where Mr. Taylor had entered a quarter-section of land on the Indian Reserve. His patent bears the signature of President Zachary Taylor, and the ownership has never been changed. Six years after coming here he was elected justice of the peace of the township, and was re-elected when his term expired. He positively declined to hold the position longer, though strongly urged to do so. Politically he has been a Republican and was one of the founders of that party in the county, but he is now a strong Prohibitionist. The old log cabin that first sheltered the family in this county has long since been replaced by a modern one, and the land has been placed in a good state of cultivation. Their children have married well, and most of them live near. They have held seventeen grandchildren in their arms, and have passed their fiftieth wedding anniversary. They are perhaps the oldest married couple in the county, and still do their own work. Mr. Taylor was made a Master Mason at West Bedford, Ohio, in 1846, and took the exalted degree of Royal Arch Mason at Zanesville, Ohio. He was created a Knight Templar in that city. He is one of the members of the Coshocton chapter, and after coming to Indiana was instrumental in forming Ossian Lodge, No. 297, A. F. & A. M., of which he was a charter member and the first J. W. He was also a charter member of Bluffton Chapter, No. 95, H. A. M., and a member of Fort Wayne Commandery, No. 4, K. T.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 861-863.

John L. Taylor, son of Solomon and Mary Ann Taylor, was born in Wells county, Indiana, in the year 1852. He was married in that county in the year 1877, to Martha E. high. Their children are: Minnie May, born April 17, 1879, and George Forest, September 22, 1880. John Taylor gains a livelihood by keeping a billiard room. His address is Bluffton, Indiana.

Historical Hand-Atlas, With Complete Reference Map of the World, History of Wells Co., IN, Chicago & Toledo: H. H. Hardesty & Co., 1881, p. 213.
Transcribed by Kathy Davis

Among the most prosperous young farmers of Rock Creek township, Wells county, Indiana, is William H. Taylor, a native of Ohio, who was born November 28. 1850, and is a son of Isaac and Sarah A. (Cox) Taylor, of English descent. William Taylor, grandfather of William H. Taylor, was but 18 years of age when he left England and landed in the United States after a six-weeks voyage, with but fifty cents, or its equivalent, in his pocket. He soon found employment, however, but notwithstanding his good fortune he could not reconcile himself to the surrounding circumstances, become lonesome and longed to be home again. But lack of means prevented his return to his native land at that time and he sought a home in New Jersey, across the river from the mercantile metropolis of the Union. In New Jersey Mr. Taylor met and married Amy Lewellen, a native of the state, and for a livelihood for some time cut and marketed wood, but as the star of empire at that time had a strong tendency to "westward wend its way," Mr. Taylor was not slow to yield to its guiding influence and by its ray was lighted as far as the state of Ohio, whence he came to Indiana several years later and about 1849 settled in Wells county, where his death took place when he was about ninety years old. Isaac Taylor, son of William and father of William H. Taylor, was born, reared and married in Ohio and came to Indiana about 1851. He settled on the present farm in Rock Creek township, on which he passed the remainder of his life. Of his family of five sons and two daughters, three are still living, William H., whose name opens this record; Ezra, who lives in Montpelier, Ohio, and Newton, who has his residence in Fort Wayne.

William H. Taylor was a mere babe when brought to Wells county, indiana, and here he was reared in the swamp forests of the wilderness of Rock Creek township. When old enough he attended either the subscription or district schools of the neighborhood, at which he acquired a fair education, considering the limited literary advantage offered by the pedgagoues of the region. But he had a retentive memory, and, being apt at his lessons, succeeded better than the average boy. However, farm duties early called young Taylor away from school and in these, child as he was, he took a manly part. His father had died and his elder brothers were in the army, assisting in quelling the Rebellion, so that, until he was twenty-one years old, the lad continued to be the mother's sold aid and comfort.

On January 26, 1879, William H. Taylor was joined in marriage with Miss Martha J. Mullies, a native of North Carolina, who was born in Iridle county, that state, June 15, 1861, the daughter of William and Rebecca (Nicholson) Mullies, who moved to Indiana when Mrs. Taylor was about six years old. This union has been fruitful in the birth of six children, all still living, viz: Cora E., born March 19, 1880, married Curtis E. Wolfcale and lives in Wells county; William I., who was born May 15, 1881, is unmarried and still has his home under the paternal roof; Nettie Pearl, born May 22, 1883; Chester E., born March 29, 1886; Maudie A., born October 25, 1887, and Charles M., born August 28, 1889.

The Taylor family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and donated to the congregation the ground on which the present church edifice has been erected. Of this church Mr. Taylor is one of the trustees and for several years was the sexton. In politics Mr. Taylor is a substantial Republican, is very popular with his party and the general public and has served his fellow townsmen as supervisor several terms to the great satisfaction of all concerned.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 3587-588.
Transcribed by lindasgen1

JOHN F. TEMPLETON, farmer and stock-raiser, Rock Creek Township, was born in Putnam County, Ohio, July 3, 1837, a son of Robert H. and Fannie (Schiffenly) Templeton. The father was a native of Trumbull County, Ohio; born April 9, 1807, a son of William Templeton, who was born near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and whose father came from Scotland to America before the Revolutionary war, and was a General in that memorable struggle for independence. While taking a dispatch from General Washington to some point he was probably killed by Indians or by the British, as he was never heard of afterward. Robert H. Templeton was first married to Sarah Regle, November 8, 1828, in Trumbull County, Ohio, and to them were born two sons—Warren, who died at the age of thirty-one years while in the service of his country during the late war, and Nelson, who was born June 9, 1834, is now living in Trumbull County, Ohio. Mrs. Robert H. Templeton died in June, 1834, and Mr. Templeton was afterward married to Miss McCollum, of Pennsylvania, who lived but a few mouths after her marriage. September 13, 1836, he was married to Miss Fannie Schiffenly, who was born near Berne, Switzerland, and when twelve years of age was brought by her parents to America. They first located in Wayne County, Ohio, and shortly afterward moved to Putnam County, where she grew to womanhood, living there until after her marriage. By his last marriage Mr. Templeton had eight children, of whom six still survive. He followed farming in Ohio until the spring of 1848, when he came to Indiana with his family, which then consisted of his wife and six children. They settled on the Indian reserve in Jefferson Township, Wells County, where he entered 160 acres of Government land, where he followed farming the rest of his life, clearing his land and bringing it under good cultivation. He died March 14, 1871, his wife surviving until September 17, 1879, dying in her sixty-first year. John F. Templeton, whose name heads this sketch, was ten years of age when he came with his parents to Wells County, and here he was reared to the avocation of a farmer, his youth being spent in assisting his father on the farm and in attending the subscription school. He resided with his parents until his marriage, January 24, 1860, to Miss Martha A. Quackenbush, a daughter of William and Mary (Allen) Quackenbush, the father born in New York, of German descent, and the mother born in Rhode Island, of Puritan ancestry. Her parents were married in the State of New York, where she was born, they moving to Trumbull County, Ohio, when she was six years old, and in that county she grew to maturity. Her parents came to Wells County, Indiana, in 1850, and settled in Jefferson Township, where they lived till their death. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Templeton—-Ida B. and Mary E., of whom the latter died in infancy. Ida B. married I. E. Brinneman, October 20, 1883, who died February 5, 1886, leaving one child—Ora F. After his marriage Mr. Templeton followed farming in Jefferson Township, Wells County, for five years. In 1873 he bought eighty acres of unimproved land on section 12, Liberty Township, which he cleared and improved, living there until 1883. He then sold his land in Liberty Township and purchased his present farm in Rock Creek Township, where he has eighty acres of well-improved land under fine cultivation. Mr. Templeton is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Lodge No. 45, at Bluffton. In politics he is a Republican.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 691-692.

Perhaps at no time in the country's history has every agricultural interest been of so much importance as at the present and it is the capable, industrious farmer who has the opportunity of not only reaping just returns for his hard work, but of also demonstrating a spirit of generous patriotism that entitles him to the gratitude of the rest of the country. One of the excellent farmers and representative citizens of Nottingham Township, Wells County, Indiana is George Templin, whose carefully cultivated farm shows that good judgment regulates affairs here. Mr. Templin is a native of Indiana, born in Randolph County March 20, 1870. He is a son of S. H. and Judith M. (Faulkner) Templin.

The parents of Mr. Templin came to Wells County when he was one year old and he grew up on the farm on which his father still resides. He attended the district schools in early boyhood and later on, when his strength permitted, assisted on the farm through the summers and attended school in the winters. With his time thus pleasantly and usefully divided he remained with his father until his marriage, when he began farming for himself on a tract of forty acres, on which he continued for two years. At that time workers were in demand in the Blackford County oil fields, and as wages were high Mr. Templin went to work at Montpelier and continued connected with the oil industry for six years, when changed conditions came about and in 1902 he moved back to Wells County. Upon his return to this section, Mr. Templin decided to resume agricultural operations and soon purchased his present farm which he has developed into one of the best properties in the county. He has made many improvements and these include the erection of the substantial and attractive farm buildings and the introduction in them of many comports and modern conveniences. He devotes his attention to general farming.

Mr. Templin was married January 28, 1893 to Miss Olive Settle, who was born in Nottingham Township, Wells County, Indiana December 6, 1873, and was educated in the local schools and the high school at Montpelier. She is a daughter of Winfield S. and Elizabeth (Albertson) Settle. The father of Mrs. Templin died in March 1903. Her mother resides in Nottingham Township near Phoenix, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Templin have two children, a son and daughter, Lawrence E and Helen. The former is a graduate of the Petroleum High School and attended normal schools at Muncie and Angola and is one of the successful and popular teachers at Petroleum. He married Mary Pontius, who is a daughter of John Pontius, a well known resident of Adams County, Indiana. They have one child, Virginia Nell, who was born October 1, 1917. Miss Helen is also a graduate of the high school at Petroleum. Mr. Templin is a stanch republican in politics because he believes thoroughly in its principles.

Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties Indiana. John W. Tyndall for Adams County, O. E. Lesh for Wells County. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1918, pp. 555-556.
Contributed by Dawn Maddox Montgomery

Rent is one of the most exacting and persistent sources of expense to the poor. It feasts upon a slender income with as much voraciousness as a hungry guest at a cheap restaurant. Nine-tenths of the poor would not be so poor as they are if they did not have to pay rent all their lives. The average man who has been the head of a family twenty-five years is appalled when he figures up the amount he has paid out in rent. Most people think there is no other help for it but to pay and keep on paying. Sanford H. Templin, of Nottingham township, Wells county, the subject of this sketch, long ago discovered that the rent cormorant could be avoided. It would be difficult for a young couple to be much poorer than he and his young wife were when they were first married thirty-seven years ago. They started in their married life with the purpose of avoiding all unnecessary expense, rent among the rest, and now in the fifty-eighth year of his age he can truthfully say he never defrauded a landlord out of a penny or paid a cent of rent in his life. In reply to those who inquire how he did it, all that is necessary to say is that when there's a will there's a way.

Sanford H. Templin was born October 11, 1845, in Henry county, Indiana. He is the son of Terry and Rachael (Johnson) Templin. The father was a native of Highland county, Ohio, a son of Robert and Eunice Templin, both natives of Ohio. The Templins were of English ancestry and the Johnsons of Welsh. Terry Templin grew to manhood in his native state, married Rachael Johnson and settled down to his life on the farm. In 1830 he moved his family to Delaware county, Indiana, his parents accompanying him. All settled in the same neighborhood where they remained until after the death of Robert Templin, grandfather of the subject. His wife Eunice died at the home of her son Timothy, in Howard county, some years after.

On first coming to Indiana Terry Templin engaged in farming. He followed this for a number of years, when he embarked in the manufacturing business. He opened a small factory, foundry and shop at Blountsville, Henry county, and engaged in the manufacture of such agricultural implements as were in use at the time. He was very successful and continued in the business up to the time of his death, January 23, 1855. To him and his wife Rachael thirteen children were born and at the time of his death his wife and eleven children were living. Sanford, the subject, was then only nine years of age. The children are: Sarah A., born February 23, 1829, deceased; Nancy J., born November 3, 1830, deceased; Mary E., born December 5, 1832, deceased; Lancey J., born December 20, 1834, deceased, was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church; Eunice, born December 30, 1836, deceased; Catharine, born March 5, 1836, is the wife of Ephraim Carey, and resides in Dallas, Texas; Elizabeth, torn May 24, 1843, is the wife of Alexander Chalfant; Grace A. is the wife of William Faulkner, a resident of Nottingham township; Sanford H., the subject of this sketch, will be more particularly referred to hereafter; Rachael L., born October 17, 1847, deceased; Charles E., born July 10, 1851; Seneth A., born June 24, 1854, is the wife of F. M. Campbell and resides in Randolph county; Letitia died in infancy, December 28, 1859. Rachael, the mother of these children, died at the home of her son. Sanford H., April 17, 1884, the latter years of her life having been spent under his roof, where she was tenderly cared for.

Delaware and Henry counties each contributed to the education of Sanford H. Templin. Until he was eighteen years of age he attended the public schools and secured a fair education. The family being poor at the death of his father, every resource had to be taken advantage of to supply the wants of the widowed mother and children, and Sanford, therefore, early had to learn to work. At the age of ten years he began to work for neighboring farmers by the month. Unselfishly, willingly, even gladly, the little fellow gave up every dollar that he earned to supply the necessities of his mother and sisters and he continued to do so as long as occasion required. When not employed by the month he chopped cord wood, was engaged in this class of work at the time of his marriage and continued it for five years thereafter. On February 4, 1865, he was united in marriage to Miss Judith M. Faulkner, a native of Randolph County born January 16, 1847. She was the daughter of Solomon and Ruth (Bales) Faulkner. Solomon Faulkner was born in Virginia, March 26, 1799, his wife Ruth on August 26, 1808, and they were married in 1825. His parents were David and Judith Faulkner, natives of Wales, while her parents were John and Lois Bales. Some three years after marriage Solomon and Ruth Faulkner moved to Randolph county, Indiana, and there remained on the same farm until their deaths.

Fourteen children were born to Solomon and Ruth Faulkner: Isaiah M., born September 16, 1826, died August 27, 1895; Nathan, born November 29, 1827, died January 27, 1895; Jason and Jabert were twins, born November 22, 1829; the latter died on the day of his birth, the former living until October 21, 1834; Mary, born January 15, 1832, is the widow of Jacob Booher; Rachael, born December 27, 1833, is the widow of Henry Hill; Jesse, born January 21, 1836, resides in Muncie, Illinois; Phoeba J. and Betsie E., twins, born March 17, 1838; the latter died December 7, 1882, and the former is the wife of Aaron H. Pucket; John, born November 29, 1841, is a resident of Delaware county; William, born September 13, 1842, resides in Wells county; Lois A., born May 25, 1844, is the wife of William Williams; Judith, born June 16, 1847, is the wife of Sanford H. Templin, the subject of this sketch; Martha E., born June 2, 1849, died February 22, 1854.

After marriage Sanford H. and Judith Templin established themselves at housekeeping at Windsor, Randolph county. They purchased a small house, paying five dollars down, and the greater part of the purchase money was paid in labor and in truck which he raised in his garden. They started out in their married life with the purpose of never paying rent and so far they have fulfilled their purpose. Their present prosperous condition and good financial standing gives promise of their being able to continue to do so. As a wedding portion her father gave her a cow and three sheep and her mother gave her a half dozen chickens and some household necessities. While commendably industrious, Sanford had saved nothing from all his hard labor, because what he earned was mostly devoted to his mother and sisters. For several years he chopped cord wood, then put in two years scoring timber to be used in the building of bridges, receiving for this work one dollar and a half a day. Jonathan Clevenger was his employer and from him he purchased a piece of ground, nine acres in extent, and all his earnings, while scoring timber, went to pay for this land. Meanwhile Solomon Faulkner, father of Mrs. Templin, died and Sanford traded his nine acres to his brother-in-law, William, for his interest in the Faulkner farm. He and his wife then moved to the farm and took up their residence there.

As showing how thrifty and economical people were in those days, the first year they were on the farm Mrs. Templin took one hundred and twenty-five pounds of wool from her sister's sheep, carded and spun it with her own hands, gave half of the thread for weaving it into cloth and out of this cloth she cut and made garments for the family. She did this without in the least interfering with her regular work, caring for her household, looking after her children, milking three cows and making butter therefrom, raising her chickens and gathering the eggs. They remained on this place about three years, when they traded their interest in it for eighty acres of land, incurring thereby an indebtedness of four hundred dollars. The greater part of this land was woods, but the trees on forty acres of it had been deadened by girdling. There were no ditches or fences on the place and the log house, when they moved into it, had been "chinked," but not "daubed.' For a window there was a hole in the side of the structure and a bed quilt supplied the place of a door. Once while the mother was out milking, the sheep went in and frightened the babies nearly to death. At another time they were short of milk for nine weeks. The cows wandered off and were not found for that length of time.

It was the purpose of Mr. Templin to plant ten acres of corn on his place the first year, but he only succeeded in preparing the ground and planting about eight acres. Between clearing, ditching, fencing, plowing and planting, to say nothing about gathering his crop and feeding his stock, he was kept quite busy the next few years. When the project of digging the Wilson creek ditch was inaugurated Mr. Templin was one of its chief promoters. Year by year, through hard work and good management, he prospered and added to his worldly possessions. In 1888 he built a large barn and in 1891 he erected a comfortable, commodious residence. He has added, by purchase, forty acres to his farm on the south. It was nearly all clear and he incurred some indebtedness in securing it, but every dollar of it has been paid off long ago. Last year he purchased forty acres on the north, which gives him one hundred and sixty acres, all in one body. On this place he has five oil wells that are now bringing him fifteen dollars per month. At one time they were good ones, producing the first year not less than two thousand dollars.

To Mr. and Mrs. Sanford H. Templin three children have been born, viz: Leticia Jane, born November 8, 1865, married George Chenoweth, and they have four children, Clarence, Elma, Charley and Owen; Cary, born November 20, 1867, was twice married, his first wife, whose maiden name was Ella Kelley, having died five months after marriage; he later married Ebbie Chenoweth, and they have three children, Chester R., deceased, Roswell M., Clinton H.; George, born March 20, 1870, married Ollie Settle, and they have two children, Lawrence and Helen. The family are members of the United Brethren church and are active in church and charitable work. The father is a trustee of the church near his home, where they attend, and his son Cary is a trustee of the church at Petroleum.

In addition to land which he owns, the personal property of Sanford H. Templin will schedule upward of two thousand five hundred dollars. Considering how small their beginning was, this is quite a showing for the work they have done and the savings they made. In politics he has always been a Republican active in his party's and is generally quite active in his party’s interest, especially during important campaigns. He has served as a member of the county central committee a number of years, was deputy assessor and has frequently attended the state convention as a delegate. He is a man of ability and influence in his locality whose opinions are deferred to, whose influence is courted and whose worth is well appreciated.

Before closing this sketch, it will be worthy of note to state that the original Templin ancestor was a sailor, having served as such on the "Mayflower" when she brought her famous passengers to Plymouth Rock. He made thirteen trips across the Atlantic, but finally gave up his seafaring life and settled in Pennsylvania, and from him the entire Templin family in the United States is descended. The subject's great-grandfather Templin felled the first tree in Cincinnati when the fort there was built.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 242-245.

No man in Wells County stands higher in general esteem than does Sanford H Templin, a substantial farmer of Nottingham Township, and a director of the Bank of Petroleum. His life history presents much that is interesting and the perseverance and industry, with which he overcame handicaps, indicate clearly very important elements of his character.

Sanford H Templin was born October 11, 1845, in Henry County, Indiana. His parents were Terry and Rachel (Johnson) Templin. His father was born in Highland County, Ohio, a son of Robert and Eunice Templin, both born in Ohio but of English extraction. When Terry Templin married Rachel Johnson, me married into a Welsh family and secured a most estimable wife. They settled on a farm in Ohio but in 1830 moved to Delaware County, Indiana, his parents accompanying him, and they all located in the same neighborhood, but Robert Templin and his wife died in old age in Howard County, Indiana.

For a number of years Terry Templin followed farming and then embarked in a manufacturing business, opening a small factory, foundry and shop at Blountsville, where he manufactured agricultural implements and if he had possessed a larger working capital, would have been a successful business man. As it was, when his death occurred, January 23, 1855, he left his widow and the survivors of their family of thirteen children, with little means. The children of Terry Templin and wife were as follows: Sarah A, born February 23, 1829, deceased; Nancy J, born November 3, 1830, deceased; Mary E, born December 5, 1832, deceased; Lancey J, born December 20, 1834, deceased, was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church; Eunice, born December 30, 1836, deceased; Catherine, born March 5, 1838, wife of Ephraim Carey, of Dallas, Texas; Elizabeth, deceased, born May 24, 1843, was wife of Alexander Chalfant; Grace A, wife of William Falkner, of Nottingham Township, Wells County; Sanford H; Rachel L, born October 17, 1847, deceased; Charles E, born July 10, 1851; Asenath A, born June 24, 1854, wife of F M Campbell, of Randolph County, Indiana, and Letitia, deceased. The mother of the above family died April 17, 1884.

Sanford H. Templin attended school in both Henry and Delaware counties but his father died when he was ten years old and heavy responsibility fell on his young shoulders. He was naturally a cheerful and industrious boy and had no difficulty in securing work from the neighboring farmers but when, in the natural course of events he found himself anxious to start a home of his own, he found that the support of his father's family had exhausted his earnings. He had chosen a noble woman, however, for his companion, one who showed confidence in his ability and good judgment, and on February 4, 1847, the wedding of Sanford H. Templin and Judith M. Faulkner took place. She was born in Randolph County, Indiana, January 16, 1847, a daughter of Solomon and Ruth (Bales) Faulkner. Solomon Faulkner was born in Virginia, March 26, 1799, and his parents were David and Judith Faulkner, natives of Wales. In 1825 he married Ruth Bales, who was born August 26, 1808, a daughter of John and Lois Bales. In 1828 Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner settled on a farm in Randolph County, Indiana, and lived there during the rest of their lives. They had fourteen children as follows; Isaiah M, born September 16, 1826, died August 27, 1895; Nathan, born November 29, 1827, died January 27, 1895; Jason and Jabert, twins, born November 22, 1829; Jabert died the same day but Jason lived until October 21, 1834; Mary, born January 15, 1832, is the widow of Jacob Booker; Rachel, born December 27, 1833, is the widow of Henry Hill; Jesse, born January 21, 1836; Phoebe J and Betsey E, twins, born March 17, 1838, the former is the wife of Aaron H Pucket, the latter died December 7, 1882; John A, born November 29, 1841; William, born September 13, 1842, a resident of Wells County; Lois A, Born May 25, 1844, is the wife of William Williams; Judith, who is the wife of Mr. Templin; and Martha E, who was born June 1849, died February 22, 1854.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Templin located near Windsor, in Randolph County, where Mr. Templin bought nine acres and bound the agreement by paying a small sum and afterward by chopping cord wood paid the rest of the price, and spent two years scoring timber to be used in building bridges. As a wedding present the father of Mrs. Templin gave her a cow, three sheep and a half dozen chickens and the necessary household utensils. Not to be outdone by her husband in industry, during the first year on the farm, Mrs Templin took 125 pounds of wool from her sheep, and with her own busy hands carded and spun it and turned it over to a weaver and it was made into cloth for the use of her family.

Mr. and Mrs. Templin remained on the farm he had secured through a trade with his brother for three years, and then traded his interest for a place of eighty acres, thereby incurring an indebtedness of $400. He cleared and improved this land and did a large amount of ditching, and this work aided in making him an advocate of township draining and he was one of the chief promoters of the construction of the Wilson Creek ditch. As time went on he added to his holdings until now he has an exceedingly valuable farm of 160 acres, the result of hard work and frugality. At the time of marriage he declared he would always own a place of his own and never pay rent and he has brought his to pass through his good management.

Mr. and Mrs. Templin have had three children, namely; Letitia Jane, who was born November 8, 1865, died December 31, 1909, the wife of George Chenoweth; Carey, who was born November 27, 1867, is a farmer in Nottingham Township; and George, who was born March 20, 1870, Married Ollie Settle, and they live in Nottingham Township. Mr. and Mrs. Templin have ten living grandchildren and two living great-grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. Templin have been active in the United Brethren Church to which all the family belong. Mr. Templin is influential in the republican party, has served as a member of the county central committee and has been a delegate to state conventions.

Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana. John W Tyndall for Adams County, O E Lesh for Wells County; The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago and New York, 1918, Page 551.
Transcribed by Dawn Maddox Montgomery

Wells county is proud to number among its enterprising farmers and progressive men of affairs the well known and highly esteemed gentleman to a brief review of whose life and achievements the reader's attention is her directed. Albert E. Terhune is a native of Miami county, Indiana, and the son of Garrett and Mary Ann (Davison) Terhune, the father born in Kentucky and the mother in the state of Pennsylvania. The maiden name of Mrs. Terhune was Davison. She was brought to Indiana when young, as was also Mr. Terhune, and their marriage was solemnized a number of years ago in the county of Wells. Subsequently, they removed to Miami county and after living for some time in that part of the state, returned to Wells and located on the place now owned by William Terhune, where they spent the remainder of their lives, Mrs. Terhune dying November 27, 1900, and her husband on the 23rd of April 1898. They reared a family of five children, all but one still living, the subject of this sketch being the first born; the others are Edward, a farmer of Chester township, this county; Elizabeth, the wife of Peter Speece, of Wells county; Alice, deceased, was the wife of Robert Murray, and William, who, as stated aboce, owns and cultivates the family homestead in Chester township.

Albert E. Terhune was born on the 22nd day of July, 1851, in Miami county, Indiana, and at the age of nine years was taken by his parents to Illinois. After spending two and a half years in that state, the family returned to Indiana and settled on a farm near McCullick Ford, Wells county, and it was on this place that the subject grew from youth to young manhood. Mr. Terhune's first educational experience was in Miami county, and later he attended three terms of school in the state of Illinois. After moving to Wells county he continued his studies in the winter time until about twenty years old, attending his last term at the Five Point school house in Chester township. On attaining his majority Mr. Terhune worked as a farm hand during the greater part of one year and then returned home for the purpose of looking after his parents' interests. He remained with his father until about twenty-five years of age, when he took to himself a companion and helpmeet in the person of Miss Susan Jones, the ceremony by which the two were made husband and wife being solemnized on the 28th day of December, 1876. Mrs. Terhune was born in Wells county, August 8, 1858, the daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Huffman) Jones, natives of Ohio and early settlers of Jackson township, this county, where they are still living. Isaac Jones came to Indiana when Wells county was a wilderness and took an active part in the material development of the country; he reared a family of ten children, whose names are as follows: Susan, wife of the subject of this sktch; Mary, wife of Ira Brown; Daniel; Eliza, now Mrs. Jacob Sills; Mary C. married W. O. Terhune; Nora, wife of Charles Stinson; Amy, wife of O. F. Whilte; Ella, who married J. A. Alespaugh, and Minnie, who became the wife of Willard Grover.

Immediately following his marriage, Mr. Terhune settled on a part of his father's place and during the succeeding three years followed agricultural pursuits there with gratifying results, at the expiration of that period moving to the Shull place, where he lived about the same length of time. He then cleared up a tract of wood and swamp land in Chester township on which no improvements worth mentioning had been made and addressed himself to the task of clearing away the timber and draining the parts too wet for tillage. To redeem this land and transform it into one of the finest and most productive farms in Chester township required a prodigious amount of hard labor, but in due time the forest disappeared and what was originally a wilderness of miry swamp and marsh is now the richest of black loam soil, producing abundantly all the grain and vegetable crops grown in this latitude. Mr. Terhune has good substantial buildings on his place, fine fences and everything pertaining to the premises indicating the home of an intelligent, progressive farmer who keeps in touch with modern agricultural methods.

In addition to the income from his crops and the fine grades of live stock which he raises, Mr. Terhune realizes considerable money each year from the four producing oil wells on his farm, his place lying in one of the richest oil districts of Indiana. In all that constitutes the enterprising, up-to-date farmer, the true and loyal citizen, the subject of this review is the peer of any resident of the county; he maintains an abiding interest in whatever concerns the welfare of the community, takes an active part in its material and moral development and is ever ready to lend his influence or aid in a more substantial way any movements with these objects in view. He is a member of Odd Fellows Lodge No. 684 at Mt. Zion, having filled all the chairs in the same, besides representing the organization in the grand lodge during the session of 1898. In politics he has always been a Republican and in religion his belief is in accord with the plain, simple teachings of the Christian church. He and his wife have been identified with this communion for a number of years and are among the most zealous members of the congregation to which they belong.

Mr. and Mrs. Terhune have had twelve children, of whom nine are living at this time, namely: Cora, born June 15, 1879, is the wife of Irvin West and the mother of one child, Ota; Isaac, whose birth occurred August 10, 1881, lives on the home farm; Della was born March 10, 1883, married James Hunnicutt and has one daughter, Ethel N.; Ada A. was born October 6, 1885, and is the wife of George C. Neff; Daniel E. was born on the 8th day of April, 1887; Lela E., May 20, 1980; Ethel, March 15, 18992; Effie G., August 28, 1892; Ora, born on the 1st of April 1894, and Gladys, the baby aged four years. The names of those deceased are Homer, born August 12, 1888, died June 13, 1899; Nora H., born February 12, 1896, and died September 14, 1897."

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 308-310.
Transcribed by lindasgen1

Edward Terhune is a son of Garrett and Mary A. Terhune and was born in Miami county, Indiana, January 11, 1854. He attended the common school in district No. 4, Chester township, Wells county, Indiana, until he was eighteen years of age, after which he remained with his father working for his board and clothes until he was twenty-one. He then continued to live with his father, working by the month for about five years. He spent some time in Illinois and in 1878 was in the state of Missouri. June 12, 1879, he was married to Ellen McCullick, a daughter of Henry, St., and Susan (Truby) McCullick, and who was born August 29, 1858. The father, Henry, St., was a native of Virginia and the mother of the state of Ohio, and they were among the first settlers of Wells county, Indiana. After his marriage the subject remained at home for one year, and then, in the fall of 1880, settled on the farm where he now lives. Then the land was all in the woods, but has now about sixty-five acres of cleared land. His farm is in the oil field and contains nine very good wells. He is a general stock farmer and breeder, principally of Poland China hogs and shorthand cattle. He has been on the farm where he now lives since he first settled on it and has devoted his time wholly to his farming interests. he is the father of eight children, seven of whom are living, viz: Edith, born August 13, 1879, married James M. Mitchell, now a resident of Chester township, Wells county; Charlie, born March 21, 1881, died February 26, 1899; Clayton, born December 22, 1882, at home with his parents; Williom O., born November 1, 1884, Henry, born August 17, 1886; Bertha, born July 27, 1889; Edward R., born December 21, 1893; and Grace, born January 31, 1900.

The subject is the owner of eighty acres of fine farming land and a pleasant county home, where he resides surrounded by all the comforts attending successful farm life. His wife is connected with the Disciples church, to which he is a liberal contributor. He is a member of the Mt. Zion Lodge No 684; I. O. O. F., also of Oil City, Encampment No. 182, at Montpelier, Indiana. He with his wife also belong to Paradise Rebekah Lodge No. 83, at Bluffton, Indiana. He has passed through all the chairs of the subordinate lodge and has twice been a representative to the grand lodge. Mr. Terhune has been a Republican all his life and is an active party worker in all campaigns, national, state and county. The subject of this sketch is a worthy representative of that class who stand midway as it were between the hardy pioneers, who first broke the primeval solitude of our virgin forest with intent to found homes for themselves and posterity in its vast areas, and the present generation who are so abundantly reaping the fruits of their labors—a class who in their half century of existence have ably supplemented the labors of their predecessors by a continuation of the reclamation of the remaining tracts of forest land, which stood as mute witnesses of the unfinished labor of a passing generation and an invitation to the ambitious and energetic of their sons to carve out for themselves homes beside those of their sires. After availing himself of the common school, the subject settled on land in the woods and by his own efforts has builded a home which is an honor to himself and a credit to his vicinage. In doing this he has also found time to take an active and intelligent interest in public affairs and a participation in the social amenities as exemplified in the fraternal orders of his locality. He is an active and intelligent citizen, possessing the confidence of his neighbors and with an aptitude for the transaction of public business. All honor to the class of whom Edward Terhune is a worthy representative.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 303-304.
Transcribed by lindasgen1

William O. Terhune was born September 27, 1862, in the state of Illinois, and is a son of Garrett and Mary Ann Terhune, both of whom are deceased. William O. attended school in the "Red School House," in Chester township, Wells county, Indiana, until he was eighteen years old, and remained at home with his father working for his board and clothing until he was twenty-one years of age. He then began to cultivate his father's farm, receiving one-fourth of the crops for his labor, continuing to farm on those conditions until his marriage, which occurred March 4, 1886. On this date he was united in wedlock with Nancy Catherine Jones, who was born about 1867 and is a daughter of Isaac and Sallie (Huffman) Jones, both of whom are yet living in Jackson township and who are among the first settlers of Wells county, Indiana. Isaac Jones is the father of nine children: Henry at home with his father; Susan, the wife of A. E. Terhune; Mary, the wife of Ira Brown, living in Warren, Indiana; Daniel, a farmer in Jackson township; Eliza, the wife of Jacob Sills, now living in Chester township; Nancy C., sife of the subject; Ella, wife of John Alspach; Nora, wife of Charley Stimson; Amy, the wife of Frank White; and Minnie, who is the wife of Willard Grover.

The subject, after his marriage, continued to farm the old home place, living with his parents and receiving one-third of the crops. He continued in this manner until within two years of his father's death, when he obligated himself to support his father, pay taxes, keep u repairs, etc., and received all the proceeds of the farm. After the death of his father he remained in possession of the old home place, a farm of one hundred and twenty-six acres. The subject is a general stock farmer, and breeds Poland China hogs and a general stock of cattle. He is a believer in the system of feeding his grain and forage on the farm and driving it to market on the hoof. He has on his farm six producing oil wells and prospects for more, which gives him a neat monthly royalty.

Mr. Terhune is the father of eight children, seven of whom are living; Henry, born June 4, 1887; Nellie, born October 26, 1888; Perry, born July 10, 1890; Neva, born April 11, 1892; Dessie, born July 3, 1894; an infant son that died unnamed; Goldie, born October 24, 1898; Ralph, born January 21, 1901. The subject has always lived on the farm and devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. He has been successful and is now enjoying the results of his industry and frugality in the possession of a well stocked and well cultivated farm, a pleasant country home, surrounded by sons and daughters who are being educated for future usefulness as citizens of the state. In politics the subject has always been a Republican and takes a lively interest in the success of his party in their recurring campaigns. He is regarded as a successful and substantial tiller of the soil, possessing the esteem and confidence of his neighbors, and by his character and standing adds dignity to the class which he represents. His home life is typical of the millions of homes of our country, in which resides a silent strength that wields a powerful influence in the affairs of state, and contains in the sons and daughters thereof a bulwark of future strength for the perpetuity of the principles of the republic.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 292-293.
Transcribed by lindasgen1

Hiram Tewksbury is not only one of the most extensive landowners and prominent business men of Blackford county, but is also one of the most esteemed. He has been identified with the history of this section of the State since its pioneer days, has ever borne his part in its development, has aided in its upbuilding, and has so lived as to win the unqualified confidence of the entire community. He is respected by all who know him for his sterling characteristics, and the history of northeastern Indiana would be incomplete without a record of his life.

Back to England he traces his ancestry. There in the early part of the seventeenth century lived John Tewksbury, who belonged to that noble band of Puritans that in order to secure religious freedom braved the dangers of an ocean voyage to secure a home in the New World. He landed on the shores of New England in 1625, and about a quarter of a century later removed from Plymouth, Massachusetts, to Sandwich, New Hampshire, where his descendants have resided for two and a half centuries. He married a Miss Brown, who had come to the United States with the heroic band that had sailed in the Mayflower in 1620.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, John Tewksbury, and the maternal grandfather, Daniel Tewksbury were brothers. The latter was born in Sandwich, New Hampshire, May 4, 1783, and married Miss Polly Brown, who was born in the same place, January 9, 1781, and descended from the Mayflower family of that name. They were married in about the year 1801, and to them were born the following children: Mary, born January 22, 1805, died March 1, 1815; Nancy, mother of our subject; Patty, born May 19, 1809, and died June 13, 1815; Elijah, born March 11, 1811, and died December 20, 1843; Daniel born March 19, 1813, and died September 18, 1814; Daniel M., born April 7, 1815, and died April 20, 1881; Lyman, born January 17, 1817, and died in December 1886; Simon, born October 26, 1819, and is living in Clifford, Michigan; Sophia, born June 10, 1821, and resides in Battle Creek, Michigan; and Asel, who was born February 7, 1823, and died September 14, 1827. The paternal grandfather of our subject was also a native of Sandwich, New Hampshire, and married Hannah Mudgett. Their children were Nathaniel, Nancy, Maria, Ezekial, Henry, Betsey, and Susan. All remained in New England save the father of our subject.

The father of our subject, Nathaniel Tewksbury, was also of native of Sandwich, New Hampshire, born August 6, 1799. Having arrived at years of maturity he married Miss Nancy Tewksbury, on the 24th of February, 1825. The lady was born November 7, 1807 in Sandwich, and there they resided until 1833, when they removed to Summit county, Ohio, where the parents of Mrs. Tewksbury had settled about ten years previous. On the 15th of February, 1841, they started for Indiana, traveling with an ox team and wagon, and camping out along the road wherever night overtook them. They traveled through a wild, unbroken region, having often to cut their way through the forests, and to ford streams which would almost float their wagons. On the 2nd day of April they reached Blackford county, and the family were established there in a small cabin, while the father continued on his way to Wells county to erect a log cabin upon a tract of eighty acres of land which he entered from the Government in 1837 before leaving Ohio. This is the same farm on which our subject resided until October, 1894. The father had to make a clearing in order to erect his cabin, and the trees which he cut down he sawed into logs used in construction of the house. In December the little building was ready for occupancy and the family came to their new home. There was no road near the land, nothing but an Indian trail which ran from the Godfrey reserve to within half a mile of the farm. On all sides stretched wild forest or unbroken timber lands, where wild animals were far more numerous than white settlers. Bears and wolves still roamed through these unimproved regions and deer and smaller wild game were to be had in abundance. The family experienced all the hardships and trials of making a settlement in a new country, but as the years passed the land was reclaimed from its virgin condition and transformed into rich and fertile fields. At first they were obliged to have their milling done at Muncie, but subsequently went to the nearer town of Camden, where there was a corn-crusher. A few years later a good mill was erected on the Salamonie river, and with the advance of civilization the hardships of pioneer life disappeared. Wheat was at first hauled to Fort Wayne, it requiring about a week to make the trip, and they received from thirty to fifty cents a bushel for that grain, while for salt they would have to pay from $4 to $5 per barrel.

Mr. Tewksbury arrived in Wells county with only $1.50 in cash, an ox team, one cow and his household goods; but as the years went by prosperity blessed his earnest and industrious efforts and he became the possessor of not only a comfortable home but also quite a handsome competence. He was among the first to give attention to stock-raising in Wells county, and was always interested in this branch of industry, which proved to him a profitable one. True to all the relations of life, both Mr. and Mrs. Tewksbury had the high regard of many friends, and for more than a third of a century were numbered among the esteemed citizens of Wells county. The mother was called to the home beyond March 17, 1877, and the father passed away February 11, 1878, their remains being interred in Montpelier cemetery. They had three children, but our subject is now the only surviving member of the family. James Madison, the eldest, born May 13, 1838, died July 16, 1840; and Henrietta, born July 12, 1842, died August 14, 1847.

Hiram Tewksbury, widely and favorably known in northeastern Indiana, was born in Summit county, Ohio, December 16, 1840, and was therefore less than a year old when the family came to Indiana. Reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life, he gave his attention during his youth to the operation of the fields and other duties of the farm. For more than half a century he lived upon the land which his father secured from the Government, and became the largest individual stock-raiser in Wells county. He was an enterprising agriculturist, always progressive, and constantly improving upon his own and others' methods. He did much to raise the grade of stock in this locality, and kept abreast with the progress of the times in every particular. His is sagacious and far-sighted, possesses excellent business and executive ability, and his capable management, energy and enterprise have largely increased his property in extent and value. He is today the owner of over 1000 acres of land in Wells and Blackford counties, Indiana, and at Grand Traverse, Michigan. In Wells county his landed possessions aggregate 636 acres; in Blackford county 431 acres; and in Michigan eighty acres. All of the Indiana land lies in the oil belt, and since the discovery of oil has become very valuable property. His first well was drilled in May, 1890, and yielded a production of twenty barrels daily. He now has thirty-one oil-producing wells and his most extensive yield is over 500 barrels daily. His largest production for any one month yielded him a royalty of $1800, and his royalty for 1894 was over $12,000. The wells are operated by a number of different companies, the Ohio Oil Company, however, having charge of the largest number. Mr. Tewksbury was for a time connected with Cochran & Company, who drilled five wells on his farm, but subsequently he sold out his interest. His possessions now yield to him a handsome income and he is living retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil. He was for a time engaged in the hardware business with William and John Cloud, of Montpelier, from 1875 until 1877, and from 1881 until 1883 he was a member of the general mercantile firm of J.T. Hess & Company.

On the 17th of October, 1894, Mr. Tewksbury left the old farm, where his entire life had been passed up to that time, and is now making his home in Montpelier. In April 1863, he wedded Miss Mary Jane Harris, a native of Jay county, Indiana, and a daughter of David and Eliza (Caldwell) Harris. The date of her birth was May 22, 1842, and her death occurred September 10, 1877. There were two children of this union: John Marion, who was born August 24, 1864, was married June 22, 1891, to Laura, daughter of Robert and Susan (Hunt) Shields, and is now living near the old homestead; and Elmer, born January 31, 1866, who married Ellen McCoy. Mr. Tewksbury was again married January 22, 1880, his second union being with Mrs. Cecelia Conley, a native of Rochester, New York, and a daughter of Addison and Mary (McConaghy) Nowlin. Three children grace this second union, viz.: Eva, born November 17, 1880; Joy, born February 10, 1884; and Helen, born November 20, 1887.

In his political views, Mr Tewksbury has long been a stalwart Republican. His father joined that party on its organization, and when he had attained his majority he also entered its ranks, and has since faithfully upheld its banner. He has never taken a very active part in politics in the sense of office-seeking, preferring to devote his time and energies to his business pursuits, in which he has met with signal success.

Memorial Record of Northeastern Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1896, pp 176-179.
Transcribed by CS Mount

Armstead B. Tharp-born in Virginia, June 12, 1820, died January 27, 1871. He was married in Jackson township, Wells County, on July 12, 1840, to Irena, daughter of Rezin and Hannah (Mason) Ricketts, who in 1836, removed to Wells county. Mr. Tharp's children begin with Elizabeth J., born April 18, 1841, died September 27, 1845; William H., December 16, 1842, died February 1, 1863; Hannah M., March 30, 1844; Isaac M., March 1, 1846; John W., January 19, 1848; Mary C., September 29, 1849; Rezin R., January 2, 1852; Jonas G., November 17, 1853; Sarah F., October 17, 1855, died May 31, 1856; Nancy B., March 17, 1857; Lucy S., June 5, 1859; Ezra C., June 28, 1861, died March 17, 1870; Amos S., December 28, 1864; Milton M., September 26, 1866. All are married except for Lucy, Amos, and Milton. William H. was a member of the 47th Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Isaac M. was also a member of that company and regiment, participating in every battle in which his regiment was engaged. Previous to Mr. Tharp's death his time was employed as a farmer. He was a resident of Jackson township, removing to Wells county in 1836. Mrs. Tharp was born in Fairfield County, Ohio on April 3, 1822. Her address is Warren, Huntington County, Indiana. Isaac M. is a minister of the denomination of United Brethren.

Historical Hand-Atlas, With Complete Reference Map of the World, History of Wells Co., IN, Chicago & Toledo: H. H. Hardesty & Co., 1881, p. 220.
Transcribed by Jim Cox

Henry Thoma whose parents, John Christian and Christina (Scharf) Thoma, died in Germany, is a cabinet maker of Bluffton, Indiana. He was born in Germany, January 28, 1832. He settled in Wells county in the year 1853, and married Matilda, daughter of James H. Deawer, born at Nelsonville, Ohio, February 21, 1869. Their only child, Harmon W., was born June 16, 1872. Henry Thoma held the office of City Clerk of Bluffton for the space of five years; that of School Trustee for one year; and was a member of City Council three years. He is a resident of Harrison township. 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. 213.
Transcribed by Kathy Davis

HENRY THOMA, manufacturer of and dealer in furniture at Bluffton, was born in Ebersdorf, Germany, the date of his birth being January 28, 1832. His parents being farmers, he was reared to the same avocation, remaining on the home farm until reaching the age of seventeen years. He then left his native country for the United States, landing at New York June 7, 1849. He first settled at Findlay, Ohio, where he began to learn the cabinet-maker’s trade, at which he served an apprenticeship of three years. During 1852 he attended the Presbyterian Academy at Findlay, defraying his expenses by the money which he earned by working at his trade during evenings. In the spring of 1853 he was employed as clerk in a grain elevator. In October, 1853, he came to Bluffton, where in January, 1854, he formed a partnership with Jacob Tribolet, with whom he was associated in the furniture business under the firm name of Tribolet & Co. until 1861, when the part nership was dissolved by mutual consent. He then clerked for a short time in the hardware store of Henry Cook, when he engaged in his present business, which he has since carried on with success. In 1869 Mr. Thoma was married at Bluffton to Miss Matilda Deaver, a daughter of James Deaver, a former resident of Wells County. They have one son, Herman, who was born at Bluffton, June 16, 1872, and is now attending the public school at Bluffton, In politics Mr. Thoma is a Democrat. He has served in all, at different times, five years as city clerk of Bluffton, was councilman three years and for one year served as school trustee, and in 1886 was elected coroner of Wells County. Mr. and Mrs. Thoma and their son are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Bluffton. Mr. Thoma is a Master and Royal Arch Mason, and is a member of the lodge and chapter at Bluffton. His parents, Christian and Christina (Sherf) Thoma, died in their native village, Ebersdorf; Germany, the father in 1872 at the age of seventy years, and the mother in 1879, at the age of sixty-nine years. Both were members of the Lutheran church.

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

REV. DAVID F. THOMAS, of Zanesville, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. In 1847 he started for Indiana with his wife, Anna (Weibel) Thomas, and three children—Samson, Sholter and Lydia. They located on land which he pre-empted, and in May, 1848, entered the same. Not a stick had been felled upon the land; no roads had been cut through the dense woods. He moved the household goods to Miami County, Indiana, by water, thence to Huntington County, and to his land. The first cabin on this tract was built about forty rods west of his present home. A small clearing was made, a small cabin built, and the family moved in January 11, 1848. The cabin had no floor, no door and no windows. Their furniture consisted of the boxes in which their goods were packed. David hewed a frame for his bedstead, and also for his trundle-bed. He was an independent young man, but had neither team nor money to pay for his land. For some time he worked by the day, earning money to keep his family in provisions. His first purchase was of a cow and calf, and another one purchased made his first team. A sled was made, and on it the family had their first ride to a neighborÂ’s. David led the calves, which really made a fine team. There was a mill at Roanoke, but frequently there could be neither flour nor meal obtained. At one time Mr. Thomas paid one dollar to get two bushels of corn ground. There were no bridges over the streams, and David had to swim his horse across Little Run, and carry the corn on his back to keep it from getting wet. The woods were full of game, but Mr. Thomas was not much of a hunter, and never killed but two deer and a few wild turkeys. Their syrup and sugar was made from maple trees. The inhabitants were mostly poor, but they were generous and would go many miles to assist a new-corner raise his cabin, or help to roll logs. Three children were born in the old cabin, and one died within its hallowed walls. Sarah, Mary and John are all deceased; the three oldest are living. Samson married Mrs. Susan (Caley) Core, and resides in Union Township; Lydia is the wife of Rev. S. T. Mahan, pastor of the Summerville circuit United Brethren church, in Union County, Ohio; Sholter is a bachelor, living in Huntington County, where he owns a farm. In 1859 Mr. Thomas received his first license from the quarterly conference of the United Brethren church in Lancaster Town ship. Two years later he received a license from the annual conference, and was assigned to Bluffton Mission and Mount Pleasant. After that he did miscellaneous work for several years, traveling most of the time and preaching in private houses. The first religious services of the United Brethren church were held in the house of our subject April 8, 1849, Rev. Lewis S. Groves officiating, when the first class was organized. This cabin was a regular preaching point for several years. Later the school-house was used for that purpose, and now they have a substantial frame church building, with thirty-five members, Rev. D. Abbott, pastor. Mr. Thomas continued in the ministry for more than a quarter of a century. In 1885 he left the pulpit to attend to his farm. The death of his wife occurred October 29, 1873, and October 30, 1884, he married Mrs. Mahala Black, who was born and reared in Mercer County, Ohio. They have no children. The life of Mr. Thomas has been principally devoted to the ministry. He has formed classes and established churches at many points. Mrs. Thomas has two children: Catherine and William.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 1023-1024.

Ralph C. Thomas, a soldier of the Spanish-American war, is superintendent of the Elm Grove Cemetery, of Bluffton. The cemetery association was incorporated in 1902, and in 1905 Mr. Thomas entered upon his duties as superintendent. It is largely due to his good management and efficient care that this has become one of the finest burial places of the dead in the entire county.

Mr. Thomas was born at Bluffton in Harrison Township of Wells County, July 4, 1879, a son of William E. and Jennie (Cole) Thomas. His father was born in Wayne County, Ohio in 1853, and the mother was born July 12, 1855. William E. Thomas accompanied his parents to Wells County, Indiana about 1856. His father Eli Thomas located on a farm three-quarter of a mile southeast of Murray and was a well known citizen in that community for many years, being prominent in the democratic party and served as trustee of Lancaster Township. William E. Thomas grew up on the old home farm and in early life he taught school in Wells County. After his marriage he located at Travisville and conducted a general store for three years. In 1877 he moved to Bluffton and established the Star Bakery, an institution still enjoying a flourishing existence and still conducted under the old name. He continued giving his personal attention to this business until his death in 1884. William E. Thomas was a man of quiet and unassuming disposition, sought none of the conspicuous honors of politics or of public life, but had the faculty of binding to himself scores of close and intimate friends. His only fraternity was the Knights of Honor of which he was a charter member. He and his wife had five children; Maude, deceased, who married J. S. Grames; Ralph C.; Effie, wife of H. R. Curtner of Marion, Indiana; Gertrude, wife of Harry Steele of Seattle, Washington; and Cora, wife of Alfred Schmuch of Kendallville, Indiana.

Ralph C. Thomas was over five years of age when his father died, and he and his oldest sister Maude were then taken into the family of George DeLong of Lancaster Township. Mr. DeLong was a real father to him and Mr. Thomas, who is a man who never forgets a kindness, has always shown the greatest of gratitude to the memory of this good old Wells County citizen. Mr. DeLong was born in Ohio and came to Wells County as a pioneer in 1842, settling northeast of Bluffton where he entered 160 acres of land. He was an old soldier, having enlisted in Company A, Thirty-fourth Indiana Infantry with Captain Swain, and was with his regiment through most of its service. At the battle of Champion Hill during the Vicksburg campaign he was wounded. Mr. DeLong was an active republican and passed away November 7, 1899.

Ralph C. Thomas acquired his principal early education in the old Toll Gate School. He learned the lessons of loyalty from the lips of his adopted father, and at the outbreak of the Spanish-American war enlisted in Company E, 160th Indiana infantry. He was in service one year, and the regiment was part of the expeditionary forces to the island of Cuba, where it remained three months. After the war Mr. Thomas returned to farm life, and in the fall of 1899 married Miss Ethel L. Masterson, daughter of Henry and Rebecca (Kunkle) Masterson. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have six children; Howard E, Dorothy, Mary and Martha, twins, Catherine and Ruth. Howard was graduated from the high school of Bluffton with the class of 1917. Mr. Thomas is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church while his wife belongs to the Christian denomination. He has filled all the offices except that of worshipful master in Bluffton Lodge No. 145, Ancient Free and accepted Masons. He has been active in county politics as a republican even before he was twenty-one years of age, and has done much to keep up and maintain the party organization.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 1023-1024.

Actively and industriously engaged in the prosecution of a calling upon which not only our own country, but nations abroad are largely dependent, William H. Thompson is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Wells County, having a well improved and well managed farm in Liberty Township. A native of Indiana, he was born in Henry County, December 14, 1853, coming of old Virginia stock on both sides of the house.

His father, Nathan Thompson, was born and reared in Virginia. Following the march of civilization westward, he came with his young wife to Indiana soon after his marriage, and after living a while in Henry County located in Wells County, where he remained until the close of the Civil war, in which he served for a year, belonging to an Indiana regiment. He then spent a short time in Henry County, but returned to Wells County and engaged in general farming. He died at the Soldier' Home, in Marion, Indiana. He married Amanda Showalter, a native of Virginia, and to them eight children were born, as follows: William H., of this brief sketch; Bathena Ellen, wife of Thomas McCormack; J. Henry, living in Michigan; Effie Jane, wife of Edward Smith, of Warren, Indiana; Charles Franklin, of Illinois, and three children that have passed to the life beyond.

Brought up in Wells County, William H. Thompson obtained his early education in the district schools, and early in life engaged in farming. He began farming for himself in Harrison Township, Wells County, but subsequently bought forty acres of land in Liberty Township, where he has since been pleasantly and profitably engaged in agricultural pursuits, making a specialty of truck farming in which he is an expert.

Mr. Thompson married, February 15, 1874, Mary B. Sark. She was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, October 3, 1855, a daughter of Jacob Sark who came with his family to Wells County, this state, in 1864, settling in Nottingham Townships. Nine children have been born of the union of Mr. And Mrs. Thompson, namely: Cora Alice, wife of William Timmons; Bruce A., of St. Louis Missouri; William Edward, living in Kansas, Fred A., of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Verna M., living at Fort Wayne; Elyie E., also of Fort Wayne; Bessie B., wife of Raymond Kiser, of Michigan; Arlie C., deceased, and Della, who died in childhood. Politically Mr. Thompson is identified with the republican party. Religiously both he and his wife are members of the German Reformed Church at Bluffton. Fraternally he belongs to Bluffton Lodge, Improved Order of Red Men.

Standard History of Adams & Wells Counties, Indiana. John W. Tyndall for Adams County, O. E. Lesh for Wells County. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1918, pp. 530-531.
Contributed by Nola Rains

JOHN W. THORNBURG, farmer, Chester Township, was born in Randolph County, Indiana, April 3, 1843, son of Curtis and Mahala (Clevinger) Thornburg, natives of Virginia. His mother died in Blackford County, Indiana, March 5, 1885, and the next year his father removed to Delaware County, where he now resides. He was reared to farm life in his native county, and made that his home until March 5, 1875, when he removed to Wells County, on the line between Blackford County and Wells County, and lived there until 1883. He then purchased one mile west eighty acres of land, where he now resides, and exchanged his former home for eighty acres adjoining his new purchase. He was married in Randolph County, July 27, 1865, to Miss Sarah E. E. [sic] Odle, a native of that county, and a daughter of John and Rachel Odle. Her father died in Randolph County, and her mother still resides there. Mr. and Mrs. Thornburg have had five children, of whom Minnie Etta is deceased. Those living are-James R., William H., Joseph L. and Ota A. Both are members of the Christian church. August 22, 1862, Mr. Thornburg enlisted at Richmond, Indiana, in Company K, Eighty-fourth Indiana Infantry, joining his regiment at Guyandotte, West Virginia. From there they went to Cassville, Virginia, thence to Nashville; where they were assigned to the Fourth Army Corps, under General Howard. His first engagement was at Chickamauga, September 1920; and after several skirmishes, occurred the siege of Atlanta, and the battle of Franklin, November 30, and December 16—17, the battle of Nashville. After that his command was sent to Columbia, Alabama, thence to Nashville again, where the close of the war found them. Mr. Thornburg was discharged at Indianapolis, June 27, 1865. He was with his regiment all the time until the war closed, never being away on furlough or for sickness. He was the only man in the company that made such a record. He is a Republican in politics, and has held the office of supervisor several terms; was elected township assessor in 1886 for four years.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, p. 677.

The hardware store has passed through several hands and undergone many vicissitudes since its establishment in Ossian. The fact that its trade has grown and has required the building of an addition, is sufficient proof of its stability and usefulness in the business world of our little city. Probably there is not a better point for the location of such a business. A realization of this fact, no doubt, caused our friend and fellow citizen, Mr. F. M. Thurber, to purchase the establishment early last year and turn his attention from farming and dairy pursuits, toward the supplying of those implements and necessities in which he deals.

Mr. Thurber was born in 1857, in Pleasant township, Allen Co., Ind. His parents were hardworking persons of established character, and as a youth Mr. Thurber got considerable experience in the theory and practice of agricultural pursuits. He was educated in the Allen County schools and early took up the bread winning problem. Farming seemed to be a pleasant vocation for a time, though Mr. Thurber spent some years as a popular justice of the peace, and in other official capacities won, the esteem of those with whom he had to deal, as he was considered to be fair-minded and just in all his transactions with men.

Mr. Thurber until recently, was engaged in experiments along dairy lines, having purchased a small cream-separator and otherwise prepared himself to furnish a quality of butter unsurpassed in excellence by even the Ossian Creamery. Upon his decision in January 1899, to go into his present business he left the farm and turned his attention to other matters and may now be found at any time at the old Rex & Robert's "stand". Mr. Thurber is a prosperous and popular member of our society.

20th Century Souvenir Edition of the Ossian News. January 1st, 1900, page 61-62.

Among the distinguished jurists of Indiana the name of the late Jacob Jefferson Todd, of Bluffton, has long been accorded a prominent place. As an erudite lawyer his standing at the head of the Wells county bar was never questioned, and as a public spirited man of affairs his place in the history of his county and state is prominently and permanently fixed. Few so impressed their personality upon the people and in every relation of life he moved among his fellow men as one born to leadership.

In tracing the genealogy of Mr. Todd it is learned that he was descended from a long line of sturdy and honorable ancestors, which, both in the lineal and collateral branches, have been prominent in the history of the nation, the family having been identified with colonial affairs for many years antecedent to the war for independence. His father, Jacob Todd, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1805, the youngest child of Samuel and Lucy (Shivers) Todd, who were the parents of seven sons and seven daughters. Samuel Todd's father was Alexander Todd, one of the earliest settlers of Baltimore county, Maryland, and a man of much more than local reputation. When a young man, Jacob Todd married Jane Thomas, whose birth occurred in Columbiana county, Ohio, on the 2nd day of January, 1807, she being the eldest of a family of twelve children, three sons and nine daughters, born to Enos and Margaret (Cameron) Thomas, the former a native of Chester county, Pennsylvanlia, and a son of Seth and Martha (Kirk) Thomas, and the latter the daughter of Lewis and Francis (Suter) Cameron. Briefly stated, the origin of the several elements in the genealogical line are as follows: The Todds were of Scotch-Irish extraction; the Shivers of Scotch origin. Seth Thomas was a native of Wales, while the Kirk family was of Quaker descent, its first American representatives having come from England in 1682 as members of William Penn's colony, which settled in Philadelphia. Louis Cameron was born and reared in the highlands of Scotland, his wife, Francis Suter, having been a native of Linconshire, England. The marriage of Jacob Todd and Jane Thomas was solemnized January 14, 1830, and their union was blessed with eleven children, concerning whom the following is a brief record: (1) Samuel, the oldest son, was born October 4, 1830, married, May 1, 1853, Rebecca Isabelle, who bore him children, Lizzie J., wife of John C. Anderson, Samuel T., deceased, and two that died in infancy. Samuel T. Todd departed this life January 11, 1850. (2) John Wesley, the second in order of birth, was born April 19, 1832, married Abigail Glas, who died August 24, 1859, leaving a daughter, Mary Jane; the only son of this marriage died in infancy unnamed. John W. Todd married for his second wife Angeline Biddle, who became the mother of three sons and five daughters. During the war of the Rebellion John W. served as second lieutenant in Company G. One Hundred and First Indiana Infantry, and distinguished himself as a brave and gallant soldier. (3) Lucy was born February 11, 1834, and married Asa McDaniel, who died July 15, 1855, leaving one son, John T. Subsequently Mrs. McDaniel became the wife of Nathan Tobey and bore him four sons and two daughters. (4) Margaret Ann, born June 28, 1836, married Calvin Biddle, to whom she bore two sons and two daughters. (5) Uriah was born on the 5th of August, 1838, entered the marriage relation with Lois Smitley and died April 14, 1880, leaving two sons and two daughters, three having died in infancy. Uriah Todd was a soldier in the late Civil war, entering the army in 1861 as private in Captain Barber’s company, Fourteenth Ohio Cavalry, for the three months service. Later he became second lieutenant of Company K, Seventy-fifth Indiana Infantry, and was afterwards first lieutenant of Company H, First United States Regulars. It is a fact worthy of note that he was the first citizen of Wells county to enlist for service in the Union army. (6) Mary Jane was born September 26, 1840; she became the wife of Samuel Bowman, bore him nine children, three dying in infancy, and departed this life on the 24th of April, 1878. (7) Jacob Jefferson, whose name furnishes the caption of this article, was the seventh in order of birth. (8) Nancy, whose birth occurred October 9, 1845, married John V. Allen, a member of Company A, Thirty-fourth Indiana Infantry, in the late war, and became the mother of one son and one daughter. (9) Elizabeth Ellen, born December 22, 1847, married Ransom Allen, a union resulting in the birth of two sons and two daughters. Mr. Allen was also a soldier during the late Rebellion, serving as a private in Company A, Thirteenth Indiana Infantry. (10) Simpson was born August 5, 185 1; he took to wife Harriet E. Hoover, who presented him with one son and one daughter. He departed this life in April, 1896. (11) Bathsheba Isodene, the youngest of the family, was born on the 18th day of September, 1885. By her marriage with John A. Glass she had five children, of whom two sons and one daughter are living.

Immediately after their marriage Jacob and Jane Todd took up their abode on a farm in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and continued to reside there until 1851. In that year Mr. Todd disposed of his homestead and joined the tide of emigration to northeastern and northwestern Indiana. The long journey to the new home was made in the primitive manner peculiar to that period, the equipment consisting of a covered wagon and buggy and in this way, after encountering many obstacles and meeting with many interesting experiences in the dense and in many places almost trackless forests, the family finally, on the 12th day of October, 1851, unloaded their few effects at what was destined to be their future place of abode. Mr. Todd settled on the northwest quarter of section 19, township 28 north, range 12 east, in what is now the highly favored and prosperous county of Wells. The farm upon which he located was yet a portion of an unbroken forest and the prospect at the time was anything but encouraging. Nothing daunted, however, every member of the family capable of doing manual labor set valiantly to work to improve and reclaim from nature's grasp the rich and bountiful benefices she had in store. Coming here a poor man, Mr. Todd was enabled by industry, frugality and excellent management to develop a fine farm and attain a high degree of success in the pursuit of agriculture and the accumulation of wealth. He was a man of broad intelligence and progressive ideas and in many respects stood far in advance of the majority of men of his neighborhood. While the average farmer of that period was content to follow the drudge-like work and give no thought to the future, his superior judgment far transcended such narrow and sordid limitation, his aim being to more than keep pace with progress and improvement in the community, and he moved among his neighbors and fellow citizens as a natural leader He was always honored for his unswerving integrity in thought, word and deed, for his vigorous and forceful individuality and for his eminent spirit of justice and charity as exhibited in his daily intercourse with his fellow man. Mr. Todd was a symmetrically developed man strong mentally, incorruptible morally and physically a prince among his fellows, being six feet one and a half inches and weighing about two hundred pounds He lived a life of signal honor and usefulness, exerted a powerful influence for good in the community and upon all with whom he came in contact, and in his death, which occurred on the 3rd of November, 1861, the county lost one of its noblest pioneers and most intelligent citizens, while to posterity was bestowed the priceless heritage of a good name and an honorable reputation. Mr. Todd was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church and exemplified in his daily walk the faith which he professed. He and his wife became identified with the denomination soon after their marriage, their respective parents having also been Methodists and noted for their piety and activity in disseminating the truths of revealed religion among those with whom they mingled. Mrs. Todd survived her husband a number of years, departing this life on the 5th of June, 1888, at the old homestead hallowed by so many tender recollections and sacred associations. To her were accorded the filial solicitude and veneration of her children and her children's children. Her life was one of signal purity and beauty and her generosity and sympathetic character endeared her to all who came within the sphere of her gentle, loving influence.

Reverting specifically to the life of Jacob Jefferson Todd, it is learned that he was born on the old family homestead in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1843. When less than eight years of age he came with his parents to Wells county, Indiana, and grew to maturity amid the pioneer scenes of Jefferson township, lending in his youth effective assistance in clearing and improving the eighty acres which constituted the original farm. His preliminary educational advantages were such as the district schools afforded, after which he was enabled to prosecute his studies for a time in Roanoke Seminary, Huntington county, and still later in a college at Fort Wayne. His was not a nature to tolerate subjective inactivity, accordingly he forthwith proceeded to put his intellectual acquirements to a practical test by engaging in the work of teaching, a vocation to which he devoted his attention during the winter months from 1861 to 1866 inclusive, winning an enviable reputation as an able and popular educator. Essentially loyal and patriotic, Mr. Todd was one of the first of Wells county's brave sons to respond to President Lincoln's call for volunteers when the perpetuity of the government was threatened by the armed hosts of treason in 1860. The thundering of the rebel guns against Fort Sumter struck a responsive protest in his heart, and his courage was that of his convictions, for in August, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Thirty-fourth Indiana Infantry. By reason of impaired health he was not able to pass the physical examination prerequisite to admission to the service, which fact caused him no little disappointment and chagrin. Thus forced to limit his efforts to such assistance as he could render the cause aside from the scene of action, he was constrained to bide his time until he should have sufficiently recovered his health to go to the front. In April, 1864, he again enlisted, this time with better success, becoming a member of Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which, during the summer of that year, served under Gen. Milroy at Tullahoma and Duck River Bridge in the railroad defense department. He served with distinction until the following October when he was honorably discharged, after which he returned home and again resumed the peaceful pursuit of civil life. Having attained his majority, he cast his first ballot that fall for Oliver P. Morton, the war governor of Indiana, and the following November had the satisfaction of depositing a vote for Abraham Lincoln, who that year was elected for the second time President of the United States.

In March, 1865, Mr. Todd was appointed assessor of Jefferson township, in which capacity he served one year, this being the beginning of his public and official career. On the 4th of April following he began the work of preparing himself for the law, for which exacting profession he had previously decided. Reading under the direction of competent instructors, he pursued his studies with so much earnestness and zeal that he was able to secure admission to the bar on the 22nd day of May, 1866. It is a significant fact that he studied law in the same office in which he afterwards practiced so successfully for a period of more than thirty years, a case without parallel in the history of the Wells county bar. Opening an office in Bluffton in 1868, he gained prestige by rapidly successive degrees and soon built up a large and lucrative practice in the courts of Wells and neighboring counties, which always exemplified a clientele of representative order. The interim between his admission to the bar and the time of beginning the practice was filled by an incumbency as deputy internal revenue collector for Wells county, and in March, 1868, he was further honored by being elected clerk of the corporation of Bluffton, serving one year in the latter capacity.

In his political affiliations Mr. Todd was a stalwart supporter of the Republican party, and his services were enlisted to good effect in promoting and greatly furthering its interests. He early became a judicious counsellor and an industrious worker, while his leadership was duly recognized and fully appreciated during the many years of his active career as a forceful factor in local, state and national politics. He was appointed alternate delegate to the national Republican convention at Philadelphia in June, 1872, and was a delegate to the national convention at Chicago in 1880, which nominated Garfield and Arthur, being a member of the committee on permanent organization. In 1882 he was a member of the committee on resolutions at the Republican state convention and he urged with great earnestness and vigor the adoption of the resolution for the submission of the prohibition amendment, his advocacy of this measure being confined not only to the convention but continued upon the hustings throughout the ensuing campaign. In 1886 he was prominently and favorably mentioned as a most eligible candidate for the office of lieutenant governor, but would not allow his name to go before the nominating convention.

By reason of his valuable services to his party Mr. Todd was tendered several important appointive offices by the national administration, which for various reasons he saw fit to decline. Among these was that of townsite commissioner of Oklahoma territory, tendered by President Harrison in 1890, a position of much importance and responsibility and for the duties of which his sound judgment and pre-eminent business ability peculiarly fitted him. In February of the same year he was tendered, at the hand of Governor Alvin P. Hovey, the appointment as member of the board of commissioners to construct and furnish the asylums for the insane at Logansport, Richmond and Evansville, which position he accepted and on which he served with signal ability and conscientious fidelity until the completion of the allotted work. On the 6th of April, 1895, Governor Matthews appointed him a member of the board of control of the state hospital for the insane at Logansport and subsequently he was made president of the board, discharging his official functions with credit and dispatch.

In June, 1894, Mr. Todd was nominated for judge of the twenty-eighth judicial circuit, comprising the counties of Blackford and Wells, and such was his great personal popularity as well as his recognized qualifications for the bench that he was so far enable to reduce the overwhelming Democratic majority as to fail of election by the small margin of fifty-six votes, receiving the largest number of votes ever cast for a Republican candidate in Wells county, running four hundred and forty-nine ahead of the party ticket. In October, 1890, he was given distinctive consideration by President Harrison, who tendered him the appointment as commissioner of allot lands in severally to the Indians on the Puyallup reservation in the state of Washington, but the demands upon his time by other duties led him to decline the offer. Mr. Todd's last public position was as member of the Indian commission to the North West Centennial held at Toledo in 1902, to which he was appointed by Gov. James H. Mount and with which he was connected at the time of his death.

In his relations to the Wells county bar and in the legal circles of the state, Mr. Todd stood high, having acquired distinctive precedence as an able and scholarly lawyer, and an honorable, judicious and eminently successful practitioner. He was a man of pronounced intellectuality, broad human sympathies and tolerance and imbued with fine sensibilities and clearly defined principles. Honor and integrity were synonyms with his name, and he occupied a conspicuous place in the confidence and regard of the people of the city and county in which the greater part of his life was passed and his distinguished success achieved. The eminent distinction he attained at the bar offers the best evidence of his capability in his profession. Familiar with all the details of practice, to which may be added superior forensic abilities and remarkable influence over juries, he easily stood in the front rank of Wells county's jurists and as an all-round, symmetrically developed lawyer, had few equals among the eminent legal minds of the state. Much of the success which attended him throughout his professional career was doubtless due to the thorough preparation with which he presented his cases in court and also to his absolute confidence in the justices of his client's cause. Basing his efforts upon these two considerations, from which there are unfortunately too many lapses in legal ranks, it naturally followed that he seldom lost a case in which his support was enlisted.

Mr. Todd first started in practice by himself, but soon afterwards became associated with Hon. B. G. Shinn, now of Hartford City. This firm was subsequently changed to Todd & Martin and still later to Todd and Rhinehart, Todd & Duglay, Wilson & Todd and finally Todd & Todd, his associate in the firm last named being his son, Nelson Kellogg Todd, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume.

Referring to the domestic life of Mr. Todd, the record states that he was married on the 17th day of April, 1866, to Miss Rachel J. Kellogg, daughter of the late Nelson Kellogg, of Bluffton, the union resulting in the birth of the son whose name is mentioned above. Subsequently, August 12, 1876, he entered the marriage relation with Mrs. Mary J. Klinck, widow of Dwight Klinck, who was drowned on the illfated steamer Schiller, which went down while on a voyage to Europe on the 7th of May, 1875. Mrs. Todd is the oldest daughter of John and Rebecca (Angel) Studabaker, of Bluffton, the father a well known and highly respected citizen noted for the energy and success with which he prosecuted all of his undertakings. The mother was especially noted for her generosity and acts of kindness and for her faithfulness as a worker in the cause of temperance, humanity and Christianity. Mrs. Todd was educated in Bluffton and at Ft. Wayne College. She is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, greatly interested in the work of the Sunday school, as teacher and official, and for a number of years has been untiring in her efforts to advance the standard of morals in the community and disseminate the truths of religion among those with whom she mingles. She is a lady of refinement and varied culture and, while domestic in her tastes, is a recognized leader in social, literary and religious circles. By her first marriage she had four daughters, Maggie, Bessie, Lucy and Mattie, the two older deceased; Maggie, who married David A. Walmar, died October 17, 1886; Bessie, who became the wife of James W. B. Sale, departed this life September 7, 1884; Lucy is now Mrs. Chester Thorp and Mattie is the wife of Luster E. Roush. The second marriage of Mr. Todd was blessed with two children, Mary, born August 9, 1878, and Ralph S., whose birth took place on the 5th of August, 1880.

Mr. Todd united with the Methodist Episcopal church when a mere youth and remained a loyal and devoted member of the same until called from the church militant to the church triumphant. For thirty years he held various official positions in the local congregation to which he belonged, notably among which were those of steward, trustee and Sunday school superintendent. He was a member of the Northern Indiana lay conference in the years of 1876 and 1880, and in 1884 served as a lay delegate to the general conference which convened at Philadelphia in May of that year. Until physical disability overtook him he was one of the main stays and active in the Bluffton church and contributed liberally of his means to its financial support.

In his fraternal relations, Mr. Todd had a state reputation. He was made a Mason in Ossian Lodge No. 297 and for a period of four years served as worshipful master of the lodge at Bluffton. In 1884 he was high priest of Bluffton Royal Arch Masons, in addition to which important office he was also elected eminent commander of Bluffton Commandery, Knights Templar, when that body was chartered in this city. In the order of the Eastern Star, he was worthy patron of Crescent Chapter and in the state organization served as grand lecturer, grand associate patron and grand patron. In the grand lodge of Indiana Masons he passed the different chairs and in 1890 was honored by being elected grand master, the duties of which exalted station he discharged for one year. Mr. Todd was a charter member of Lew Dailey Post, G. A. R., at Bluffton, which he represented in 1891 in the grand encampment at Detroit. As a member of the committee appointed by the Grand Army of the Republic he aided in revising the history of the late Civil war as outlined in the text books now used in the public schools, in this capacity rendering valuable service to the youth of the land in acquainting them with the underlying causes and wonderful results of that greatest of all rebellions against constituted authority. For five years Mr. Todd was quartermaster of the Fourth Regiment in the old Indiana National Guard and for some time served as a member of Governor Chase's staff with the rank of lieutenant colonel. His name adorns the charters of the Knights of Honor and the Tribe of Ben Hur in Bluffton and he filled the office of past dictator in the former organization. Mr. Todd was ever a friend and liberal patron of public improvements and aided with his influence and means every enterprise having for its object the material advancement of Bluffton and Wells county. He was largely influential in securing the requisite encouragement and aid in building the Ft. Wayne, Cincinnati & Louisville and the Toledo, St. Louis & Kansas City Railroads through the county of Wells, in addition to which his alert and progressive spirit proved a potent factor in promoting various local interests and manifold industries. In every relation of life he was an enterprising, progressive, manly man, whose prominent aim was to do the right as he saw and understood the right. Of dignified but pleasant presence, he was easily approachable by the humblest of his fellows, and thousands the county over can tell of his many acts of kindness, of the cheery grasp of the hand, the pleasant greeting, of some aid or favor when most needed, of friendly advice that set their footsteps aright or of the words of cheer or comfort extended when the soul was bowed down in deepest sorrow. His was not only a useful life, but a full life, replete with all that was calculated to elevate and ennoble humanity, and he was easily the peer of any of his fellows in the essential elements of true, virile manhood and upright Christian citizenship. He adorned every station to which he was called and through many future generations his name and fame will be cherished by the people of his city and county as a jurist of pre-eminent ability, as an official whom no bribes could corrupt nor the tongue of flattery swerve from the path of duty, as a Christian without pretense and as a man who, seeing and understanding the right, strove by all means within his power to do the same as he would answer to his conscience and to his God.

The sickness which finally terminated in the death of Mr. Todd was of long duration, but he endured his sufferings with heroic fortitude and sublime resignation. In hope of regaining his health, he sought medical aid at the sanitarium at Battle Creek, Michigan, and again at West Baden Springs, Indiana, but without avail, and it was only by the exercise of his indomitable will he was enabled to baffle the fell destroyer during the last twelve months of his life. He was anxious and determined to live and did not give up the struggle until within a few days before the end came. On the street at various times in pleasant weather he maintained he cheery disposition which was always one of his pronounced characteristics and in spite of his sufferings kept in close touch with the trend of events and gave personal attention to his business affairs until the summons came and he yielded up his great but gentle spirit to the God who gave it. He departed this life on a beautiful Sunday in the most beautiful month of the year, May 13, 1900, dying as he had lived, a Christian, firm in the faith of the Redeemer and with a knowledge that his departure was only a transition from pain and suffering to a realm of eternal peace and triumph. When court was called the following Monday the bar of which he had long been an honored and distinguished member passed appropriate resolutions, containing complimentary references to his character and standing as a lawyer. Eliminating the greater part of the biographical mention, the resolutions adopted by the bar were as follows:

Jacob J. Todd was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1843, and died at Bluffton, Indiana, May 13, 1900, aged fifty-seven years, two months and one day. In early childhood he removed with his parents to Jefferson township, Wells county, Indiana, where he lived upon a farm until after he attained his majority. In early manhood he taught country schools, but came to Bluffton in 1865, and became a student of the law. He entered upon the practice of his chosen profession in 1866 and continued a member of the bar thirty-four years. During all this time he enjoyed a large and lucrative practice. He became quite familiar with statutory law and devoted himself very largely to probate practice, collections and general office work. In all these specialties of his profession he excelled. In the history of the bar, no more reliable, trustworthy and competent attorney in this line of labor ever practiced in Bluffton. He was an ideal husband and father and alive to the wants and necessities of the community and an active, untiring supporter of every enterprise calculated to promote the best interests of the city and county. For more than a third of a century Bluffton has been his home. Here he has lived honored and respected as few men have ever been by his townsmen; here he died at one o'clock, on Sunday, May 13, 1900, mourned by all his neighbors. The private character and life of Jacob J. Todd were without stain and above reproach. He was a man of deep religious convictions, devotedly attached to his church, but he was too liberal to be a bigot, and too just to be intolerant. He was a man of excellent social qualify ties, and his courtesy and kindness were unfailing. When such a man dies it is appropriate to mourn.

Resolutions commemorating Jacob J. Todd's death (snipped)
The funeral of Mr. Todd, conducted after the beautiful and sublime ceremonies of the Masonic fraternity, was attended by a large concourse of his sorrowing fellow citizens of Bluffton and Wells county, while many friends and admirers from a distance were present to pay the last sad tribute of respect to his memory. The Warren, Ossian and Decatur Masonic lodges were present in a body, while notice was received that representatives of the lodges from Hartford City, Ft. Wayne, Montpelier and Huntington were in attendance. Grand Master William Geake, of Ft. Wayne; Deputy Grand Master O. E. Halloway, Knightstown; Senior Grand Warden O. W. Brownback, of Pendleton; Grand Secretary Wm. H. Smythe, Indianapolis, and Past Masters Edward O'Rourke, of Ft. Wayne, and Calvin W. Prather were present and had the ceremonies in charge. The pall bearers were as follows: W. H. Bassett, J. S. Dailey, J. P. Hale, W. L. Kiger, J. K. Rinehart, L. B. Stevens, D. H. Swaim and J. W. Tribolet.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 388-197.

NELSON KELLOGG TODD was born in Bluffton, Wells County, Indiana, February 10, 1867, the only son of Jacob J. and Rachel J. (Kellogg) Todd. He was reared in his native city, where he received a good education in the schools of that place. He was a member of the first graduating class from the Bluffton High School in the year of 1883, being the youngest in the class, having just attained his sixteenth year. At this time, being desirous to learn a trade, he entered the office of the Wells County Times, where he served an apprenticeship, and either in the capacity of printer or writer he has since been more or less connected with the press of Bluffton. In December, 1884, he commenced the study of law in his father?s office, pursuing his legal studies in connection with his work in newspaper offices until December, 1885. He then went to Portland, Jay County, and continued reading law in the office of Haynes & Cox, returning to Bluffton eight months later, where he was again connected with his father?s office until February, 1887. From November, 1886, until March 1, 1887, he was city editor of the Wells County Times, and from that time until May 1 following he held the same position on the Indiana Bugle, the successor of the Times. In 1884 he tried the competitive examination for a vacant cadetship at West Point Military Academy and so well acquitted himself on this occasion that when a vacancy occurred soon after Hon. George W. Steele, Member of Congress, tendered him the appointment to the National Academy, which, however, he declined. In politics, like his father, Mr. Todd is a Republican.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 751-752.

It is not necessary that the man who achieves success be made of sterner stuff than his fellow man, but there are certain indispensable characteristics that contribute to the prosperity of an individual; these are energy, ambition, determination and the ability to recognize and improve success. These qualities are cardinal elements in the character of Ralph Studabaker Todd and have accompanied him in his progress to a position of prominence and affluence. Mr. Todd is one of the substantial citizens of Bluffton and is president of the Studabaker Bank here.

Jacob Todd, grandfather of the subject of this review, was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1805, and his wife, whose maiden name was Jane Thomas, was a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, where her birth occurred January 2, 1807. After their marriage they located on a farm in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and there resided until 1851, when they came to Wells County, Indiana, and settled on a farm in section 19, Jefferson Township. The latter place was their home until their respective deaths, he passing away November 3, 1861, and she died June 5, 1888. Jacob J. Todd, son of Jacob and Jane (Thomas) Todd and the father of Ralph S. Todd, was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1843, and he was eight years of age when the family home was established in Indiana. After completing the curriculum of the public schools of Wells County he attended Roanoke Seminary and Fort Wayne College. He taught school during most of the time from 1861 to 1866. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Thirty-fourth Indiana Infantry, but was rejected on account of poor health. In April, 1864, he was accepted as a volunteer in Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and he served until October, 1864, when he was honorably discharged. During his spare time while teaching school he studied law and was admitted to the bar May 22, 1866. His first political office was that of assessor of Jefferson Township, Wells County, and in June, 1872, he was appointed national alternate delegate to the National Republican Convention at Philadelphia. In 1880 he was delegate to the same convention in Chicago. He was prominent both in state and national politics.

August 12, 1876, he married Mary J. Studabaker, a daughter of John and Rebecca (Angel) Studabaker. Mrs. Todd was educated in the Bluffton schools and in Fort Wayne College. To this marriage were born two children: Mary and Ralph S. Jacob J. Todd was a Knight Templar and a thirty-second degree Mason and in that connection he served for one year as grand master of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Indiana. He died May 13, 1900, and his cherished and devoted wife passed to rest February 7, 1903.

Jacob J. Todd left an indelible impression on the public life in Bluffton. No citizen of the community was ever more respected and no man ever more fully enjoyed the confidence of the people or more richly deserved the esteem in which he was held. In his lifetime the people of his community, recognizing his merit, rejoiced in his advancement and in the honors he attained and since his death they have cherished his memory, which remains as a blessed benediction to all who knew him. Honorable in business, public-spirited in civil life, charitable in thought, kindly in action, true to every trust confided to his care, his life was the highest type of Christian manhood.

Ralph S. Todd, born in Bluffton August 5, 1880, was graduated in the local high school in June, 1897, and in the fall of that year he entered DePauw University at Greencastle, Indiana, in which excellent institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1901, with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. He initiated his business career as a bookkeeper in The Studabaker Bank in Bluffton, and in due time because assistant cashier and later cashier of that substantial financial institution. In June, 1909, he was chosen president of the bank and had the distinction of being the youngest man to hold such a position in the State of Indiana. He is still the efficient incumbent of that position, filling it with satisfaction to all and credit to himself. He is a director in the Studabaker Grain & Seed Company, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the W. B. Brown Company, director in the Bank of Petroleum and in the Fair View Cemetery Association and one of the trustees of DePauw University.

While a student in De Pauw University, Mr. Todd became acquainted with Miss Agnes Moulden, of Greenfield, Indiana, and his marriage to her was solemnized October 15, 1902. She was born in Marion County, Indiana, August 29, 1882. Mr. & Mrs. Todd have two children: James Moulden, born February 2, 1904; and Martha, born October 6, 1909. They are valued and appreciative members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is a member of the board of trustees.

Fraternally Mr. Todd is a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of Bluffton Commandery, Knights Templar, and of Mizpah Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is past chancellor of Bluffton Lodge No. 92, Knights of Pythias, and is connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a stalwart republican and was a delegate to the National Republican Convention in Chicago in 1916. As a loyal and public-spirited citizen Mr. Todd commands the unqualified esteem of his fellow men, and he is regarded as a substantial and influential factor in the civic and industrial life of Bluffton and of Wells County.

Standard History of Adams & Wells Counties, Indiana. John W. Tyndall for Adams County, O. E. Lesh for Wells County. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1918, pp. 459-460.
Contributed by Nola Rains

Amos Townsend entered Wells county in the year 1839. There were at that time but two families in the town of Bluffton. He engaged in the mercantile business in the year 1840, carrying goods from Cincinnati, and consuming three weeks to make the trip. He was chosen County Commissioner in 1841; elected Mayor of the city in 1853; held the office of Justice of the Peace four years; was Assistant Assessor of Internal Revenue for Wells and Adams counties; held the position of Provost Marshal in the year 1863, and Enumerator of Census in 1880. His birthplace is Clinton county, Ohio, the date January 20, 1817. His parents are John and Mary (Easterling) Townsend. His children are: Louisa, born February 1, 1841; Henry C., June 21, 1843, who is the proprietor of the Oliver House; Sarah K., January 7, 1846; Lewis L., July 31, 1848; Mary A., October 12, 1852. Amos Townsend was married on the 20th day of February, 1840, at Bluffton, Indiana, to Mary Ann, daughter of Gideon and Catherine (Neff) Geary. She was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, May 1, 1820. Mr. Townsend is a resident of Harrison township. 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. 213.
Transcribed by Kathy Davis

John Travis, son of William and Mary (Prince) Travis, a farmer of Harrison township, removed to Wells county, in the year 1865. He was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1812, and married at Fishing Creek, Virginia, in 1834, to Rachel, daughter of John and Cecelia (----) Huggins. She was born in Monongahela county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1812. She is the mother of Rachel Louisa, born April ---, 1852, residing at Fort Wayne, and Eliza Jane, born in 1850, residing in Wells county. Hezekiah and Henry were killed in the late war. 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. 213.
Transcribed by Kathy Davis

William M. Twibell, farmer, Chester Township, was born upon the farm where he now resides, November 14, 1847, son of Luther and Sarah (Bowman) Twibell. His father was born in Taylor County, Virginia, February 1, 1822, of Irish ancestry. He was reared to farm life in his native state, and removed to Henry County, Indiana, in October 1834, thence to Blackford County in 1840, traveling by team all the way. Luther remained with his parents until marriage, which occurred March 7, 1841. Mrs. Twibell was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, and of Dutch descent. In October, 1841, they came to Wells County and purchased eighty acres of land, which now comprises a part of the village of Keystone. Everything was new. Neighbors were scarce and wolves were plenty. Wild game was also abundant. Here he made his clearing, and with the logs cut down he erected his first log cabin and necessary farm buildings, all of which have been torn down to give place to railroads. Their milling was done at Muncie, and there was no regular road to travel over. There were only four teams in the whole neighborhood, and they were scattered over a territory embracing Chester and Harrison townships. He was not fond of hunting, and his time was devoted to clearing and improving his land. Some idea of the experiences of those pioneer days may be formed, when it is related that three families, consisting of twenty-two people, occupied a house 16x18 feet. The first cook stove was purchased by his two sons, William and David, who sold the wheat they raised on a piece of land set apart for that purpose. Their cabin was raised one day and their family moved in the next, and the furniture consisted of a table made by driving stakes in the floor and laying clapboards. When they removed to Wells County they moved into their house before even a hole was cut for the chimney, and the first fire was built in the middle of the room. Amid such scenes as these our subject was reared, and he has always lived on the old homestead. He was married June 7, 1868, to Miss Adelaide Gertrude Waugh, a native of Blackford County. She was left an orphan at the age of four years, and was reared by her grandmother and uncle. Mr. and Mrs. Twibell have had six children, of whom one, an infant unnamed, is deceased. The living are--Eli Alexander, Levi Lewis, Sarah Ora, Mary Eva and Minnie Ola. Both are members of the United Brethren church, of which he is steward, and in politics he is a Republican, as is also his father.

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, pp. 751-752.

John W. Tribolet and Mary M. Bayha were married in the year 1872, in Bluffton, Indiana. Their children are: William Henry, born February 22, 1874; Anna B., January 24, 1876; Maude, November 28, 1878; George J., September 24, 1879. All reside at Bluffton. John W. is a son of Jacob and Margaret A. (Wilch) Tribolet, settlers of Wells county in 1853. He was born in Hancock county, Ohio, in the year 1847; is a resident of Harrison township; a merchant, and a member of Bluffton City Council, to which later he was elected in 1878. His wife was born in Ohio in 1849. 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. 213.
Transcribed by Kathy Davis

A. H. TURNER—one of the brave men of our day, became a soldier at Mansfield, Ohio, July 27, 1861, joining Company E, 32d Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was a participant in the battles of Greenbriar, Virginia, Alleghany Mountain, Virginia, Monterey, McDowell, Franklin, Cross Keys, Maryland Heights, and Harper’s Ferry. He was taken prisoner, September 3, 1862, escaped and exchanged with the regiment, which was ordered to the Western department; engaged in the battles of Grand Gulf, Fort Gibson, Raymond, Jackson and Champion Hills. At the last mentioned battle he was wounded and taken prisoner. After serving three years he was discharged, and enlisted in Company E, 2d Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and at the end of six months was transferred, by order of E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War, to the 196th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, being commissioned First Lieutenant. He remained during the war at Stevenson Station, Virginia, and Fort Delaware, Delaware; was discharged September 11, 1865, at Baltimore, Maryland. His natural career began in Mahoning county, Ohio, on June 15, 1839. His parents, deceased, were Robert and Luthena (HOPKINS) Turner. His children are: Adam M., born September 12, 1870; Robert B., March 19, 1873; Orrin R., November 28, 1874; Emma M., March 3, 1878, and Mary C., born November 16, 1880. Catherine MARKLEY, born October 13, 1847, in Wells county, Indiana, became Mrs. Turner on the 22d day of March, 1869, and Died December 11, 1880; her parents were Adam and Isabel (POTEE) Markley, who in 1846 removed to Wells county.

Historical Hand-Atlas, With Complete Reference Map of the World, History of Wells Co., IN, Chicago & Toledo: H. H. Hardesty & Co., 1881, p. 198.
Transcribed by Colleen Rutledge

The subject of this sketch, who was born January 22, 1858, is a son of James Turner, a native of Greene county, Ohio, and Mary (Arnold) Turner, a native of Darke county, the same state, and was born in Jackson township, Wells county, on the farm on which he now resides. James, the father, was a son of Jonathan and Polly Turner, natives of Ohio, the latter a daughter of Samuel B. and Mary Arnold, and of Irish descent, while her husband's ancestors were English. They both died in Wells county. James Turner came with his parents to Wells county in an early day and settled in Chester township on the farm now owned by Simeon Crosby, where they resided until they died. Jonathan Turner was the father of five children, two of which are yet living: James, deceased, father of the subject; George, deceased; Catherine, deceased, who was the wife of Jesse Thomas, of Chester Center, Wells county; Margerie, the wife of Isaac Gray, now a resident of the state of New York; Tilda, the wife of Milton Shields. James Turner, the father of the subject, was married to Mary Arnold and settled on a farm in Chester township and began as a farmer, but after two years they removed to Montpelier, Indiana, where he learned the blacksmithing trade. Grandfather Arnold, who was of German descent, was born in New York state, while his wife, who was of English descent, was a native of Maryland. After working at his trade for about twelve years he traded a horse for forty acres of land in the woods and returned to Wells county. Here he followed farming until his death, which occurred in September, 1880, on the farm where his widow yet lives. James Turner was the father of five children, two of whom are yet living, the subject and twin sister, Barbara. Mary E. died in early childhood; Susanna, deceased, was the wife of I. N. Perry, and Eli, who died at the age of two years.

The subject attended the public schools of Montpelier and Jackson township, Wells county until he was seventeen years old, after which he remained with and worked for his father until he was twenty-one years of age. He then got married and commenced work on the home place, his father furnishing seed, teams and implements, giving George one-third of the crops. He farmed in this way for about six years, when he bought the stock and implements, after which he received two-thirds of the products of the farm, and thus continued to work until his father's death. He now owns an eighty-acre farm of fine land (the old home place), about sixty of which is in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Turner is one of the lucky ones who have struck oil. His farm, being in the "belt," now contains ten producing wells, from which he derives a profit of about one hundred and forty dollars per month, and this number will be increased by three or four additional wells a hell his farm is fully developed in that line. He now has one well to each five acres. He has devoted his whole life to farming and breeding of fine stock, as his well cultivated farm and herds of Poland China hogs, Durham cattle and Shropshire sheep attest.

The subject of this sketch has been twice married, his first wife being Eva Krise, a daughter of Isaac and Janie Krise, who died after two years of married life, leaving a son, Charles Albert, six months old. This son married Miss Pearl Booher and is now an oil worker in Grant county. For his second wife Mr. Turner married Sarah J. Saxon, a daughter of James and Sarepta (Boyles) Saxon. To this union ten children were born, nine of whom are now living: Eva E. married Frederick Ice and is the mother of one child, Carrie; James H., an oil worker; Mary M., at home; Emma I., at home; Margaret; Francis M., at home; Sarah M., at home; George W., deceased; Harmon, at home, and John D. As an instance of the success attending a definite purpose and well directed efforts in life, the subject of this sketch is a living example. He is a worthy descendant of one of the hardy pioneers who pushed on to aid in reclaiming the wilderness and found a home in the west. He has lived to see and enjoy the full fruition of the labors and hopes of the early settlers and he received as the reward of his own labor a well merited prosperity. He is now in the possession of a pleasant home, a competency for his declining years, surrounded by sons and daughters whose future achievements shall add honor to his name. His wife is a member of the Disciples church and he contributes liberally of his means to the cause. Politically the subject is a Democrat, which ticket he has voted since his majority with the exception of the first, which he cast for James A. Garfield for President. He is a close reader and takes some interest in the party campaigns, but devotes his time principally to his farming interests.

Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana. B.F. Bowen, Logansport, Indiana, 1903, pp. 183-184.

THOMAS TUTTLE—engaged in farming, resides in Liberty township. He served in the late war, a member of the 95th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was born in Athens county, Ohio; was married in Franklin county, Ohio, May 7, 1844. His wife, Mary J., daughter of William and Jane (LANE) STRAM, was born in Madison county, Ohio, March 19, 1827. Her children, the first of whom is deceased, were: Gabriel, born July 28, 1846; Thomas, June 7, 1848, deceased; Albert, June 3, 1850, deceased; Melinda, January 1, 1852, deceased; Margaret, November 24, 1854; Hannah, October 15, 1856; Mary E., July 4, 1860. Thomas Tuttle settled in Wells county in the year 1851. His parents are Solomon and Nancy (WATKINS) Tuttle.

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 Colleen Rutledge