Cyrus D. Harwood, who died on August 15, 1913, came to Decatur county when a small lad, probably five or six years old. They settled in Shelby county for a short time and then moved to Adams township, Decatur county, settling near St. Omer.

In 1863 Ebenezer Harwood enlisted in the Union army and served until June 27, 1864, when he died at Knoxville, Tennessee. He was a brave and efficient soldier, and was one among the thousands of patriotic citizens who gave up their lives in the cause of human freedom. At his death he left a wife and five children, the names of four of whom are herewith given, Mrs. Susan Pope, of Milford; Mrs. Mary Wilson, of Milford; Thomas, of Illinois; James of Bloomfield, Missouri; and Cyrus D., the subject of this sketch.

The late Cyrus D. Harwood grew to manhood at St. Omer and when about fifteen years of age his mother married again, after which time Cyrus D. went to Illinois, where he took a position with a mining company, which he held for several years. He became postmaster at Bartly, Illinois, and for some three or four years was engaged in the mercantile business at that town.

About 1887 Mr. Harwood, after a trip west made in order to regain his health, came back to Decatur county and was married to Julia Short, March 29, 1888, a daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Gulley) Short, the former of whom was born on Flatrock river, Adams township, Decatur county, Indiana, and where he lived until his death on February 26, 1911. Nancy (Gulley) Short was born in Shelby county and came to Decatur county when a child and lived here all of her life, where her father was a farmer. Her father and mother died within three weeks of each other, the mother on February 5, 1911, and the father on February 26, 1911. Her father was a Republican and a member of the Baptist church. During the Civil War he was a corporal in Company D, Seventy-sixth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, a patriotic citizen and a man popular in the neighborhood where he lived.

After his marriage Cyrus D. Harwood entered business at St. Omer, but a short time after that they moved to St. Paul, where he engaged in business. During a period of about fourteen years he was secretary and treasurer of the St. Paul Gas Company. He was also a notary public and a man of unusual ability, possessed of a genial disposition, and had many friends in this county. He took a great interest in public improvements, and especially in the improvement of his own town, where Mrs. Harwood, his widow, lives at her home with her adopted daughter, Zelman, who is now a student in high school. Mrs. Harwood, who is a strong believer in education, is trying to give her adopted daughter the very best educational advantages. Mrs. Harwood taught school for six year previous to her marriage and is a cultured and refined woman. She has a wide circle of friends in Adams township.

"History of Decatur County, Indiana"
Lewis A. Harding
B. F. Bowen & Co.
Indianapolis, Indiana
published in 1915.

Morgan L. Miers was born in the year 1855 on the farm on which he now lives, one and one-half miles south of the pleasant village of Burney, in Clay township, Decatur county, Indiana, the son of Thomas S. and Mahala (Braden) Miers, both members of pioneer families in that section of the county. Thomas S. Miers came to this county when about seven years of age with his parents, his father, Thomas Miers, emigrating from Ohio at all early day in the settlement of this county and entering from the government a tract of land in the Burney neighborhood, in Clay township, where the rest of his life was spent, his death occurring not many years after he came to this county. Thomas S. Miers was reared in the pioneer home in Clay township and upon succeeding to the ownership of the farm prospered largely, gradually increasing his holdings until he became the possessor of more than six hundred acres of fine land, the larger part of which he had brought under an excellent state of cultivation. Though laboring under the many and manifest disadvantages of his day and generation, Thomas S. Miers displayed much executive ability and a keen business foresight, becoming one of the foremost factors in the development of that part of the county in which he lived. He was a farmer of unusual skill and his farm became very profitable to him, his chief source of revenue being derived from feeding hogs, he finding that the value of the extensive crops of corn that he raised was thus largely enhanced. Thomas S. Miers was a member of the Episcopal church, a Democrat and a member of the Masonic lodge at Milford. He was active in the good works of his community, influential in local politics and interested in the affairs of his lodge. Of a singularly optimistic nature, he radiated cheer wherever he went and was exceedingly popular throughout that part of the county. Ever ready to help others, he never forgot a kindness directed toward himself and it is said of him that he would go as far as anyone to accommodate a friend.

Thomas S. Miers married Mahala Braden, a member of one of the pioneer families of the county, and to this union there were born seven children, namely: Mary, who married Isaac Sefton, of Greensburg, this county; Robert W., of Bloomington, Indiana, former member of Congress from this district, now judge of the Monroe county circuit court; Mrs. Emma Gilmore, deceased; Morgan L., the immediate subject of this sketch; Willard A., a well-known farmer of the Burney neighborhood, who owns three hundred and twenty acres of choice land in Clay township, is a well-known breeder of fine horses, having some time ago sold one of his trotters, "Little Snapp," for twenty-five hundred dollars; Nevada, wife of William A. Minor, of Clay township, and Maggie B., who married Frank Stapp and lives at Hope, Indiana.

Morgan L. Miers was reared on the home farm in Clay township, receiving his elementary education in the local schools, which he supplemented by a course of four years at Indiana University and was graduated from the law department of that excellent institution. Upon completing his education he devoted his time to the development of the growing farm interests of his father, giving his particular attention to the raising of live stock, soon becoming known as one of the heaviest shippers in the state. Recognizing the growing value of land in the neighborhood of the home acres he gradually bought land as he prospered and now owns fourteen hundred and sixty acres of choice land, all of which lies in Clay township, much of this land, purchased for fifty dollars an acre, is now well worth one hundred and twenty-five dollars an acre, and Mr. Miers maintains that if he had had the acumen to have extended his purchases during the days of cheap land thereabout he now would be a millionaire. However, he is a man of remarkably optimistic nature, as was his father before him, and he is not worrying because of this lack of foresight years ago. In fact, he makes it a point never to worry, his genial temperament placing him above the petty worries that sometimes afflict less optimistic individuals. Though giving his chief attention to his great estate, Mr. Miers has found time to extend his activities in other directions and is interested in numerous enterprises in this and adjoining counties. Since the opening of the Third National Bank of Greensburg, thirty-four years ago, Mr. Miers has been a director in that sound old financial institution and for the past two years has been president of the same; a position of prominence in the financial circles of southern Indiana exceeded by few therein. His sound judgment regarding values and thorough acquaintance with commercial and industrial conditions in this part of the state give to his opinions in connection with investments a weight of well nigh dominant force hereabouts and few financiers in southern Indiana have a higher standing in banking circles than he; his enterprising spirit being sufficiently well balanced by a native conservatism to give to his decisions that unerring quality which business men in this section have learned to appreciate and value so highly in consultations regarding investments.

Thirty-three years ago Morgan L. Miers was united in marriage to Gail Hamilton, of Clay township, this county, daughter of G. M. and Mary Susan (Logan) Hamilton, members of pioneer families in Decatur county, the latter of whom was a daughter of John Logan, and to this union two children were born, a son and a daughter, Roy, now twenty-three years of age, and Mary, now aged sixteen, the latter of whom is attending school in Boston, Massachusetts. Mrs. Miers met her death in an automobile accident on October 20, 1914, a tragedy which plunged the entire community into mourning, for she was a woman of exceptional strength of character and for years a leader in good works in the vicinity in which her gentle influence so long had been exerted in all good ways.

Mr. Miers is a member of the Methodist church and he and his son, Roy Miers, are members of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Miers is a Democrat and takes an earnest interest in the political affairs of the county, state and nation, though he never has been included in the office-seeking class, his extensive personal interests being sufficient to engage his undivided attention. He is a constant exponent of good government and all measures looking to the advancement of the public welfare find in him an ardent champion. Energetic and public spirited, Mr. Miers is a powerful factor in general affairs hereabout and no man in the county is held in higher esteem.

"History of Decatur County, Indiana"
Lewis A. Harding
B. F. Bowen & Co.
Indianapolis, Indiana
published in 1915.

The venerable George M. Meek, who was only eighteen years old at the time of his enlistment, was born on May 3, 1842, three miles northeast of Greensburg, the son of Adam R. and Nancy (Logan) Meek. Adam R. Meek, a native of Kentucky, was the son of Thomas Meek, and came to Decatur county in 1825, just after the settlement was beginning in this section. He was twice married. Among his eighteen children were Taylor, of Greensburg; John, of Kansas; Mrs. Jerusha Patton, of California; Mrs. Mollie Donnell, of Missouri; Samuel; Mrs. Minerva Bonner; Tirza McIllvane; Mrs. Rebecca Henry; William N., deceased; Thomas; Mrs. Laura Kincaid, deceased, and Josiah, deceased.

After becoming one of the largest landowners in Decatur county, Adam K. Meek divided his land among his children, presenting each child with eighty acres in fee simple.

George M. Meek, who now owns three hundred and thirty acres of land in Fugit township, settled, after his marriage, on the eighty-acre farm given to him by his father. After his marriage, he purchased the old Logan or Patton farm and in 1857 built his present farm home. A few years ago he also built a home for his son.

On November 26, 1883, Mr. Meek was married to Charlotte Miller, who was born on November 28, 1860, at Clarksburg, and who is the daughter of Louis C. and Elizabeth (Barneman) Miller, natives of Ohio and Germany, respectively. They were married in Ohio and moved from that state to Decatur county in 1857. Mr. and Mrs. George M. Meek have had three children, the youngest of whom died in infancy. The two living children are Thomas, a well-known farmer of this county, who married Daisy Carroll, and Mrs. Fredericka Smith, who lives near Williamstown on a farm and who has one child, Carmen.

As a farmer Mr. Meek feeds a large amount of live stock, and it is principally from live stock that he has made his greatest profits in farming. During his twenty-nine years of experience in the business of farming he has made a close and careful study of its methods, and few men living in Decatur county today are better informed regarding its various phases than he. Mr. Meek understands first the cultivation of the soil; he recognizes the importance of good seed and the preparation of a good seed bed. Moreover, he believes in frequent and careful cultivation. He is not a man who sells a great deal of grain, practically everything raised on the farm in the way of grains or cereals being fed to the stock.

The venerable George M. Meek comes from a distinguished family and one which has been intimately identified with the history of the county since pioneer times. If nothing more, his valiant service as a soldier in our great Civil War would be sufficient to entitle him to rank as one of the foremost citizens. But as a careful, enterprising, thrifty farmer, he is quite as much a hero of peace as he was a hero of war.

"History of Decatur County, Indiana"
Lewis A. Harding
B. F. Bowen & Co.
Indianapolis, Indiana
published in 1915.

The son of Joseph A. and Mary Jane (Straney) Logan, John H. Logan was born on November 8, 1849, on the farm where he spent the most of his life. He was the son of Joseph A. Logan, as heretofore noted, who was born on January 9, 1821, and who married Mary Jane Straney, a native of Kentucky. Joseph A. was the son of Martin Logan, a pioneer in Fugit township, and a native of Kentucky. He married Nancy Martin and died in 1888. Joseph A. Logan entered the land where Ezra Kirby now lives in 1821. His father filed the papers for this farm, which afterward passed into the possession of his son, Hugh, and is now owned by Ezra Kirby. Mrs. Mary Jane (Strpey) Logan, who was born on May 12, 1824, was the daughter of Jane Brown, who was born on December 27, 1748, and who had also two other children, John Brown Straney, born on November 9, 1825, and Sarah Agnes Straney (Mayne), August 20, 1827.

Joseph A. Logan was only nine months old when his father removed from Kentucky to Decatur county, Indiana, and settled on the old homestead, where the widow of his son, John H., now lives. He and his wife had eight children. Of these children, Nancy Martin was born on March 9, 1844, married a Mr. May, now deceased; Mrs. Mary Ann Cook, October 14, 1845; Mrs. Margaret (Findley) Manlove, August 13, 1847; John H., is the subject of this sketch; Leander, February 9, 1853, deceased; William R., August 20, 1855, deceased; Nathan McDill Logan, September 27, 1857, and lives in Fugit township, Luna Ames, October 23, 1865, died on January 3, 1891.

After his marriage the late John H. Logan and his wife purchased the old homestead, consisting of one hundred and nineteen acres, and later bought sixty-six acres more, making in all one hundred and eighty-five acres. Upon this farm they erected a splendid modern home in 1900, and from time to time excellent outbuildings. He was a large stock raiser and feeder, and made a specialty of road horses with which he was very successful. In 1908 Mr. Logan went to Oklahoma for the purpose of regaining his health, which was fast failing, and died six years afterward. At the time of his death he not only left to his widow and heirs the farm in Fugit township, but also a farm where he lived at the time of his death of one hundred and fifty acres southwest of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. An energetic and honorable citizen, a good business man and farmer, he was also a splendid type of the man who practices the Christianity which he professes. If John H. Logan had any enemies at the time of his death, he did not know about it, since he lived according to the Golden Rule, and never had trouble with anybody. A Republican in politics, he was a loyal and devoted member of the Springhill United Presbyterian church.

On October 10, 1888, the late John H. Logan had been married to Jennie Carson, who was born on September 26, 1865, in Tipton county, Indiana, and who is the daughter of John and Helen (Picken) Carson, natives of Brown county, Ohio, and Scotland, respectively. The former was the son of Irish parents, and died in Tipton county in 1884. His wife died later in Indianapolis.

Mr. and Mrs. John H. Logan had four children. Of these children, Harry Carson, born on June 22, 1890, was educated in the Clarksburg high school, and after leaving high school, spent two years in a military school in Tennessee; Ruth, December 11, 1891, is a student at the Bradley Institute at Peoria, Illinois, having taught school for two years; Jessie, December 22, 1893, was a student in the Bradley Institute until her graduation in 1915, and William, April 2, 1902, is attending the Clarksburg school.

At the death of her beloved husband, Mrs. John H. Logan was left well provided for, and out of their combined earnings and savings she may enjoy all the comforts of life, and the conveniences which her beloved husband meant her to have. His memory is revered not only by the widow and children he left here, but by the host of friends he gained during a long and active life in this county.

"History of Decatur County, Indiana"
Lewis A. Harding
B. F. Bowen & Co.
Indianapolis, Indiana
published in 1915.

Walter T. Boling, after spending his boyhood days on the farm, and receiving his education in the common schools of the county, left home at the age of seventeen and afterward worked on a farm in Decatur county until 1901, when he came to St. Paul and was employed in the grain elevator of William Nading, for whom he worked for six years. At the end of this period, he purchased an interest in the St. Paul Hardware Company, where he remained for three years. Later he sold out and purchased his present business in which he has been engaged ever since. Mr. Boling handles and sells many thousands of bushels of corn each year as well as all kinds of feed and flour. He has been successful in business and now owns the mill and building. At the present time he is building a strictly modern up-to-date home in St. Paul and is spending in the neighborhood of two thousand dollars in its construction.

In October, 1904, Mr. Boling was married to Gertrude M. Wynkoop, of Sand Creek township, the daughter of Isaac Newton and Mary Elizabeth (McGee) Wynkoop, the former of whom was born on February 24, 1850, in Franklin county, Indiana, the son of James and Barbara (Herrick) Wynkoop, and the latter born on April 8, 1854, in Sand Creek township, two and one-half miles from her present home, the daughter of Ralph and Sarah (Jones) McGee, the former of whom was born on January 8, 1827, and the latter born on April 12, 1832. Ralph McGee died on June 20, 1909, and his wife on February 3, 1906. Ralph McGee was the son of John McGee, a native of Ireland, who came to Butler county, Ohio, in 1810, and who was a soldier in the War of 1812. He married Jane Cassell. Mrs. Boling's paternal grandparents, James and Barbara (Herrick) Wynkoop, were natives of Pennsylvania, the former having been born on July 19, 1817, died on February 27, 1893, and the latter born on January 23, 1817, died on November 30, 1903.

Having started in life with five cents in money, it cannot be denied that Mr. Boling has made a wonderful success in his business. He has succeeded by dint of great nerve and a philosophy all his own. He is a well known citizen in the county and is highly respected wherever known.

He is a stanch Democrat and for many years served as precinct committeeman. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 148, at Greensburg, and has been a member since he was twenty-one years old. Mrs. Boling is a member of the Baptist church, while Mr. Boling is a member of the Presbyterian church.

"History of Decatur County, Indiana"
Lewis A. Harding
B. F. Bowen & Co.
Indianapolis, Indiana
published in 1915.

The Osborn family is of English ancestry and were early settlers in the state of New Jersey. It was in that state that Albert I. Osborn, the father of John E., was born on February 3, 1831. Albert I. Osborn was only four years of age when he came with his father, John Osborn, to Dearborn county, Indiana, later locating in Decatur county. In this county he grew to manhood, married, reared his family, and is still living. He is now in his eighty-fifth year and makes his home at Newpoint.

John E. Osborn, the youngest child of his parents, was born on August 25, 1872, near Newpoint, Decatur county, Indiana. Reared on the farm and educated in the public schools at Newpoint, Rossburg and Mechanicsburg, he reached man's estate without any other than a solid common-school education. He remained on the farm until he was nineteen years of age, and desiring to become something else than a farmer, he began the study of law by himself. So rapidly did he master the rudiments of the legal profession that he was admitted to the bar in May, 1897. However, he had previously been appointed deputy county auditor, receiving the appointment at the age of nineteen, and had served as deputy auditor under his brother-in-law, John J. Puttman, from December 7, 1891, to March, 1896.

The professional career of Mr. Osborn was begun in partnership with Elmer E. Roland, but six months later he resigned from the firm to become the partner of Hugh Wickens, the present circuit judge. After the election of Mr. Wickens as judge of the ninth judicial circuit, Mr. Osborn was in partnership with Lewis A. Harding, the firm being known as Osborn & Harding from November, 1910, to January 1, 1912. On the latter date Frank Hamilton became a member of the firm, which was then changed to the firm of Osborn, Hamilton & Harding. This partnership continued until November, 1912, when Mr. Harding was elected prosecutor of this judicial district and withdrew from the firm. Since that time Mr. Osborn has been associated with Mr. Hamilton.

John E. Osborn has now been practicing before the bar of this county for nearly twenty years and has had many important cases in the county, district and state courts. His practice has constantly increased and he has had the management of many interesting cases. So successful has he been that in his several firm changes he has been able to take with him the personal business which he had acquired as a member of these respective firms. The career of Mr. Osborn has not altogether been confined to his legal business. He has branched out in industrial and commercial enterprises with the same degree of success which has marked his progress in his chosen field of law. He is a stockholder and a director of the American Cooperage Company of Helena, Arkansas; the Columbia Cooperage Company of McGehee, Arkansas; the Arkansas Cooperage Company of Jennie, Arkansas, and is a partner with John T. Meek in a plantation in Concordia Parish, Louisiana, near Natchez. He and Mr. Meek own forty-four hundred acres of land on which they raise rice, cotton and considerable live stock. They also have a saw-mill on the plantation.

On July 17, 1900, John E. Osborn was married to Grace Gullefer, the daughter of Dr. Thomas B. and Louise (Hederick) Gullefer, to which union one son has been born, Wendell G., born on October 23, 1905.

Mrs. Osborn's father, Dr. T. B. Gullefer, was born eight miles from Indianapolis, Indiana, on March 12, 1851, a son of Stephen Gullefer, also a native of Marion county, Indiana, who died on his farm in that county in 1901. Stephen Gullefer was a son of Aaron Gullefer, a native of Wayne county, Indiana, an early settler of Marion county, where he acquired a farm of six hundred and forty acres. The wife of Stephen Gullefer was Emily Bowers, born in Salem, Indiana, in 1824, who died in July, 1853. Dr. T. B. Gullefer is the only child born to this union now living. After the death of his first wife Stephen Gullefer married a second time and had six children by his second marriage, three of whom are dead, those living being John N., who owns the home farm; Eliza A., who resides with her brother John, and Judson, a resident of Indianapolis.

After receiving a common-school education in the schools of Marion county, Doctor Gullefer spent one year in Butler College and then became a student of DePauw University for three years. After leaving college he taught school in the rural districts for six years. In 1879 he entered the medical college at Indianapolis and was graduated with the class of 1881, later taking a post-graduate course in the Chicago Homeopathic College, from which he was graduated in 1891. Doctor Gullefer practiced in Plainfield, Indiana, for five years; in North Vernon, Indiana, for two years, and has been in continuous practice in Greensburg, this county, for the past twenty-five years.

Dr. Thomas B. Gullefer was married ill 1873 to Louise Hedrick, who was born in Gallatin county, Kentucky, in 1851, daughter of John and Charlotte Hedrick, to which union two children were born, Grace and Bessie. Grace is the wife of Mr. Osborn and Bessie married John Hornung, Jr., a grain merchant of Greensburg. Mrs. Gullifer passed away on July 5, 1915.

Doctor Gullefer is a Republican in politics and has served as coroner of Decatur county for eleven years; six years as secretary of the county board of health, and four years as secretary of the city board of health. He also served as United States pension examiner for one year, and is the present medical examiner for the government civil service in the fourth congressional district. He is a member of the Indiana Institute of Homeopathy.

John E. Osborn made his first start in Democratic politics immediately after reaching his majority and has taken a keen interest in political affairs ever since. As member of the Democratic state central committee from the sixth congressional district from January, 1908, to January, 1912, his wise and judicious management of Democratic affairs was largely responsible for the election of many Democrats to office. When Finley Gray was elected to Congress in 1912, he was the first Democrat to go to Congress from this district for twenty-five years. Mr. Osborn deserves no little share of the credit for bringing about the election of this Democratic congressman.

Mrs. Osborn is an active member of the Christian church of Greensburg. Mr. and Mrs. Osborn are prominent in the various activities of the community which go toward making it a better and happier place in which to live. Their influence is always cast in behalf of all humanitarian and benevolent projects and in this way they have earned the commendation of all those with whom they come into contact.

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"History of Decatur County, Indiana"
Lewis A. Harding
B. F. Bowen & Co.
Indianapolis, Indiana
published in 1915.

George W. Boling, who is best known in Decatur county for his interest in the St. Paul Hardware Company, of St. Paul, Indiana, was born on September 14, 1873, in Franklin county, Indiana. His parents were William and Hannah (Humphrey) Boling, the former of whom was born in 1828 and who died in October, 1899. Hannah Humphrey was the second wife of William Boling and now lives in Adams in this county. His first wife was a Miss Sloan, who bore her husband one child, Josephine, now deceased. By the second marriage there were twelve children, of whom two, Mrs. Alice Wheeler, the eldest, and Jasper, the fifth born, are deceased, the former dying in February, 1914, at her home in Laurel, Indiana. The living children are, Mrs. Martha Jane Carr, who lives at Frankfort; Mary, who makes her home with George Logan in Clay township, and is his housekeeper; Albert, who is the present treasurer of Decatur county; Mrs. Ada Wright, who is the wife of Wilbur Wright, of Adams, Indiana; George W., who is the subject of this sketch; Walter T., who is in the feed and grain business arid operates a mill at St. Paul; Clyde; Elmer; Owen, and Edna, all of whom are in Indianapolis.

Although a member of a large family, George W. Boling was not denied the very best educational advantages and, after completing the common school course of Decatur county, was a student at the Danville Normal school and the Indianapolis Business University. He was employed by various firms in Indianapolis after graduating from the business college, particularly the William B. Burford Printing Company, the Erie Railroad and the American Express Company. In 1901 he came to St. Paul, Indiana, and for two years operated the William Nading elevator. In 1903 Mr. Boling entered the hardware business under the firm name of Leffler & Boling at St. Paul. This arrangement continued until in October, 1903, when the firm became Mobley & Boling. This firm continued until 1905, when Elmer Upjohn purchased Mr. Mobley's interest when the St. Paul Hardware Company was organized. In 1908 C. F. Thompson purchased the interest of Mr. Upjohn and he is now a member of the firm. The company has a storeroom, thirty by eighty feet, and a wareroom adjacent in a brick block. They also have a garage in the Red Men's building, forty by forty feet, which is used as a storage room for automobiles. The company handles general hardware, agricultural implements, the Johnson line of implements, Oliver plows and other standard lines, cream separators, Fehring buggies, manufactured at Columbus, Indiana, standard makes of wagons, guns and ammunition, stoves, kerosene and gasoline. The company is also the local agent for the Studebaker Automobile Company, and the agent in Shelby, Rush and Decatur counties for the Hercules car. Incidentally, they handle automobile supplies and automobile tires. They sell gas and gasoline engines, washing machines, install furnaces, water systems and plumbing. The company is well equipped to fit up a residence in a most modern way, so far as heating and water systems are concerned.

George W. Boling is connected with the St. Paul Building and Loan Association in the capacity of secretary. This company has its offices in Mr. Boling's store and was organized in 1886. It has done more to build up St. Paul than any other concern in the township, particularly in enabling laborers and quarrymen to erect homes in this community.

In May, 1901, George W. Boling was married to Nona B. Burner, the daughter of William Burner of Greensburg. To this union has been born three children, Mildred Louise, Vivian Avalon and Clara Virginia.

Mr. and Mrs. Boling and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally, Mr. Boling is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is identified with the Republican party, but has never held office.

"History of Decatur County, Indiana"
Lewis A. Harding
B. F. Bowen & Co.
Indianapolis, Indiana
published in 1915.

Pleasant Bush was the son of Joseph and the Bush family came originally from England, and Joseph Bush's wife, who before her marriage was a Miss Duncan, was of German extraction. Pleasant Bush, himself, was born, lived and died in Kentucky.

In 1869 James N. Bush came to Decatur county with his wife, to whom he had been married in 1866, in Kentucky. They had one child at the time. Catherine (Smoot) Bush, the wife of James N., was born in Kentucky and was the daughter of George Smoot, a native of that state. Born in 1842, she died in Decatur county in 1908. They had a family of six children, three of whom are still living at St. Paul, William, who is a blacksmith; A. M., who is a restaurant keeper, and C. L., who is a partner with A. M. They have erected many fine buildings in this part of the county, including a fine concrete business building in St. Paul.

When Mr. Bush came to Decatur county he began cutting stone. He followed this trade for about a year, when he was employed by W. W. Lowe, for whom he worked for twenty-one years as superintendent of stone quarries. He afterward leased and operated for himself a stone quarry and, in the meantime, was engaged in bridge building.

In 1863 Mr. Bush enlisted in Company E, Thirtieth Regiment, Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, which was mounted and commanded by Colonel Alexandria. This regiment was attached to the army of General Stoneman. Mr. Rush saw hard service and was detailed to scout work mostly, his regiment having operated chiefly in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. He served until the close of the war, being mustered out of service on April 18, 1865. On one occasion his division engaged the army of General Breckenridge at Saltville and was badly defeated; in fact, almost annihilated. However, they returned to Saltville with four thousand men and there engaged General Breckenridge and defeated him. Saltville was an important point, since it was the source of salt for the Confederate army. The Union army destroyed the salt works and the available supply of salt. Mr. Bush had many thrilling escapades in scout duties. He was possessed of wonderful zest and courage which served him well on many occasions. He was a brave and resourceful soldier and is today very proud of his military record, which he has every right to be.

For many years James N. Bush has been badly afflicted with rheumatism, but nevertheless is a man of cheerful disposition. In his life he has made considerable money and had a comfortable competence laid by to last him the remainder of his life. On account of sickness and death in his family his fortune is somewhat depleted. After the death of his wife he divided his property among his children and went to live with his son, a business man of St. Paul.

Mr. Bush is a man of strong convictions, which have always been a good guide for his actions. Reared in one of the strongest rebel counties of Kentucky, where all of his neighbors and practically all of his relatives joined the Confederate army, Mr. Bush himself believed in the cause of the Union and chose to support the stars and stripes. He believed that slavery was wrong and human freedom was right, and cast his lot accordingly. No citizen is more highly respected in Decatur county than the venerable James N. Bush.

"History of Decatur County, Indiana"
Lewis A. Harding
B. F. Bowen & Co.
Indianapolis, Indiana
published in 1915.

The late John R. Kanouse was born in 1844 in Clay township, Decatur county, Indiana, the son of George and Isabelle (Sumpter) Kanouse, the latter of whom was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Sumpter, natives of Iowa, and relatives of General Sumpter of Civil War fame. George Kanouse himself was a soldier in the Civil War. In 1871 John R. Kanouse was married to Courtney McCoy, a daughter of Isaiah and Mary (Short) McCoy, the former of whom was a native of Virginia, born in 1815, and who died in 1909. After coming to Decatur county with his parents, William and Nancy (Waple) McCoy, when seven years of age, he settled with them on a farm in Adams township. William McCoy was a miller on Clifty creek and a soldier in the War of 1812. He died in Kentucky. Isaiah McCoy was a Decatur county farmer and a very successful business man, who started in life with nothing and who by his shrewdness, industry and good management accumulated considerable property. He owned several hundred acres of land at the time of his death. A Republican in politics, he was a man of strong convictions as well as of good moral character. He died in 1909, leaving a family of seven children. John, Benjamin and Mrs. Nancy Lawhead are deceased; Mrs. Eliza Garrett is the wife of Lewis Garrett, of Adams township; Mrs. Julia Bright is the wife of John Bright, of Adams township; Courtney married Mr. Kanouse, and Mrs. Arminda Boicourt is the wife of George Boicourt, who lives near Letts in Sand Creek township.

Mrs. Courtney Kanouse was born in 1850 in Adams township and educated in the common schools of Decatur county. She grew to womanhood at home and there lived until her marriage in 1871. She is a woman of keen business judgment, well able to care successfully for the business with which she was left at the time of her husband's death. She is a member of the Christian church at St. Paul, of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Rebekahs.

After their marriage in 1871, Mr. and Mrs. John R. Kanouse started in life at St. Omer in Decatur county, where he was engaged in the mercantile business. He was very successful there, but after two years, in 1880, he and his wife removed to St. Paul, where he engaged in the mercantile business and in which he continued until two years before his death. An unusually successful business man, the late John R. Kanouse owned, at the time of his death, not only the large store in St. Paul, but three hundred acres of land as well.

Mr. and Mrs. John R. Kanouse had eight children, seven of whom are now living, as follow: Roy K. is a merchant in Greensburg; Mrs. Daisy Bewley lives in California; George is in the automobile business in Indianapolis; Mrs. Rose Hill, wife of Oscar Jay, prosecuting attorney of Elkhart, Indiana; Mrs. Nellie Hill is the wife of James Hill, of Westport; Mrs. Edna Wolf is the wife of Carl Wolf, of St. Paul; Frank lives at home.

No duty, public or private, was neglected by the late John R. Kanouse. A man of deep religious convictions, he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally, he was identified with the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias. He was also a Red Man. His acquaintances and friends were not confined to Decatur county. He had a host of friends in Shelby county as well. His beloved widow is a woman of refinement and of splendid Christian character. She has a beautiful home in St. Paul, where, with her son and his wife, she is living.

"History of Decatur County, Indiana"
Lewis A. Harding
B. F. Bowen & Co.
Indianapolis, Indiana
published in 1915.

John T. Pavy was born on a farm in Clay township, Decatur county, Indiana, a short distance west of the village of Burney, in the year 1848, a son of J. J. and Nancy (Deem) Pavy, both members of pioneer families in this county, further details of the genealogy of this family being presented elsewhere in this volume, these families having been prominent and influential in the days of the county's early settlement. Reared on the home farm, receiving the most careful training in the rudiments of agriculture, a vocation to which he was destined to devote his life, John T. Pavy attended Hartsville College for a time and completed his education at Franklin College. He entered upon his life as a farmer with characteristic energy, giving to the details of the farm a studious attention which was productive of results and he became quite successful, leaving a valuable estate at the time of his death.

On March 28, 1878, at Milford, Decatur county, Indiana, John T. Pavy was united in marriage to Anna Jackson, who was born on a farm in Clay township, this county, daughter of William T. and Margaret (Miers) Jackson, the former of whom was the son of William D. and Amelia (Hillman) Jackson, who settled in this county in 1840. William D. Jackson was a Virginian and his wife was a native of Maryland. Shortly after their marriage they located in Cincinnati, where William D. Jackson became a prosperous real estate dealer. In 1840 they came to Decatur county, settling on a quarter-section of land in Fugit township, removing thence, in 1847, to Clay township, where they lived until 1853, in which year they moved to a farm two and one-half miles west of the town of Greensburg, where they spent the rest of their lives. An interesting story of the life of this pioneer family is presented elsewhere in this volume in the biographical sketch relating to William E. Jackson, a brother of Mrs. Pavy.

William T. Jackson was about eighteen years of age when his parents moved from Cincinnati to this county. He married Margaret Miers, daughter of Thomas Miers, one of the most substantial of the pioneer farmers of Decatur county, and to this union were born eight children, namely: Anna, the widow of Mr. Pavy; James, deceased; Edwin, a well-known farmer of Clay township, this county; Benjamin J., deceased; Adelaide, who married Henry Barnes; William E., a prominent farmer of Washington township, this county, who married Alta Moore; Charles J., who died in infancy, and Harry, who lives in Colorado. William T. Jackson died at the age of sixty years and his wife died at the age of sixty-eight.

Anna (Jackson) Pavy was born in a log cabin on what is now known as the Miers farm in Clay township, then owned by her father, previously by her grandfather. She was educated in the schools at Milford, this county, and at the old academy at Danville, Indiana, her father having been for a time engaged in the dry goods business at Danville. Upon her marriage, in 1878, to Mr. Pavy she entered seriously upon the life of farming and was an earnest and devoted helpmeet of her husband. When she was married she was a member of the Methodist church, but changed her church affiliation to the Baptist in order to conform her faith to that of her husband, he having been reared in the Baptist faith, and for years they were among the most active and influential members of the congregation to which they were attached. A woman of broad mind and sterling character, Mrs. Pavy has always been an influence for good in the Burney neighborhood and her home in the pleasant village of Burney is a center from which radiate only the blandest and most salutary promptings.

To John T. and Anna (Jackson) Pavy were born two children, a son and a daughter, Harry, who was born in 1882, is operating a part of the home farm, and Lena, who married Ewing Arnold, lives on the William F. Smiley farm, one and one-half miles south of Greensburg. Beside his wife and children, John T. Pavy left several brothers and sisters to mourn his death, to his parents having been born the following children: Susan, who lives on the old Pavy farm south of Burney; Elizabeth; Dorcas, who married Felix Gartin, a prominent live stock dealer of this county, died in 1915; Matilda, who lives on the home farm; John T., deceased, the subject of this sketch; James, a farmer of the Forest Hill neighborhood; Rev. William A., pastor of the Baptist church at Waldron; Nannie, who married Daniel Harker; Mary J., who married John Templeton, and Minerva, who was born blind and who is living at the old home. Minerva Pavy was educated in the Indiana school for the blind at Indianapolis and became a proficient musician, being not only a fine singer, but an accomplished pianist, having supplemented her course in the state school by a finishing course in the Indianapolis Conservatory of Music. She is a woman of much charm and grace of manner and of a highly cultivated mind. Despite the affliction which has shut her out from a sight of all the beauties and the wonders of the world, she is possessed of a charmingly cheerful disposition and is a great favorite with her many friends.

"History of Decatur County, Indiana"
Lewis A. Harding
B. F. Bowen & Co.
Indianapolis, Indiana
published in 1915.

Otto F. Dietrich was born on April 8, 1876, in Germany, and is the son of Ferdinand and Marie (Weber) Dietrich. On May 9, 1885, Otto F. Dietrich, at the age of twelve years, arrived in America with an aunt, Pauline Dietrich. For some time he resided with an uncle, Charles Dietrich, in Tipton county. Although he had received a liberal education in Germany, he attended school for four years after coming to America and mastered the English language. For five years he worked as a farm hand in Tipton county, Indiana. In 1893 his parents and brothers and sisters came to Bartholomew county, Indiana, and began farming one and one-half miles west of St. Louis. They purchased a farm near Hartsville and there the father died in 1895. After his death. the mother and sisters moved to Cincinnati, where the mother purchased a home. Mr. Dietrich, however, remained in this state and engaged in farming and in saw-mill business. He took charge of the old mill at Burney and in 1905 tore out all of the old machinery and installed new. Mr. Dietrich rents land extensively on which he raises crops to feed the horses which he uses in the mill and for hauling logs to the mill.

On October 8, 1902, Mr. Dietrich was married to Lillie Aton, who was born on a farm, one and one-half miles southwest of Hope in Bartholomew county. They have had two children, Frank, who died at the age of nine years in the fall of 1913 of diphtheria, and Paul, who is now six years old.

Mr. Dietrich is a Democrat and he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose. Formerly, he was a member of the Knights of Pythias.

"History of Decatur County, Indiana"
Lewis A. Harding
B. F. Bowen & Co.
Indianapolis, Indiana
published in 1915.

On the clay that Richard Mulroy was twenty-two years old, he took passage on a sailing boat, "Star of the North," for America, landing in New York city after an eventful voyage in 1847. When the ship on which he came to America was three days out of port, a terrific storm was encountered and the experiences of all on board was something to be remembered during their entire lives. For three days the ship was completely lost, and at times those on board almost gave up hope of ever seeing land. However, the "Star of the North" was a good, seafaring boat and successfully withstood the severe storm. When Richard Mulroy landed in New York city, he was without funds or friends. Starting out in life in the new world, he obtained employment on a farm in New York state, and after working a year there removed to Pennsylvania, where he remained for three years. He made three unsuccessful attempts to enlist as a soldier in the Mexican War.

After three years in Pennsylvania, Richard Mulroy left Pittsburgh and came to Lawrenceburg, Indiana, by boat. From Lawrenceburg he walked to Indianapolis where he remained for four or five years, during which time he was engaged in railroad construction work, making Indianapolis his headquarters.

In 1857 Richard Mulroy was married to Bridgett Barrett, who was born in 1823 in Ireland in County Mayo within forty miles of the birthplace of her future husband. Born on the west coast of Ireland, she came alone to America in 1856, and after landing in this country came direct to Greensburg, Decatur county, Indiana, where she had a sister living, Mrs. John Riley, with whom she made her home until her marriage in 1858.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Mulroy came to St. Paul in 1858, where her husband lived until her death in 1906. He died on June 2, 1915, at the age of ninety years. During his entire active life he had been engaged in railroad construction work and in stone quarries. He had been retired only five years. In fact, in 1914, at the age of eighty-nine, he planted and cultivated a large garden. He was a stanch Democrat in politics, and a member of the Catholic church, as was his good wife also. They had four children, Anthony E., the subject of this sketch, of St. Paul; Edward, of St. Paul; Anna, who lives at home, and Margaret, who died in infancy.

Anthony B. Mulroy, who was born in St. Paul one year after his parents removed to this town, was educated in the common schools and when he was thirty-two years old, engaged in stone quarry work. At this time he was married to Henrietta Avey, the daughter of Daniel Wilson and Melissa (Pence) Avey, natives of Shelby county, Indiana, and old, well established and highly respected citizens of this section.

As late as 1914 Anthony B. Mulroy was engaged in railroad construction and stone quarry work. In October of 1914 he purchased the grocery and mercantile business of William Kelso, of St. Paul, and is today engaged in business for himself. He handles a complete line of dry goods and general merchandise. Within a comparatively short time he has built up a large trade in this community. Mr. Mulroy is a popular citizen and one with whom the people of this community naturally like to trade. He has been honorable and upright in all his relations with the public, and upon this basis his business has grown since he took possession.

Mr. and Mrs. 34ulroy have had one son, John A. Mulroy, who was born on January 1, 1899. He was born on Sunday morning, the first day of the week and the first day of the year. Luck seems to have been with him, as he has never been sick a day since his birth. He is a young man of rare promise and is popular in this community. Having graduated from the common schools in 1914, he is now a student in the freshman year at the high school at St. Paul.

In a beautiful residence of St. Paul, Mr. and Mrs. Mulroy have their home. Formally speaking, Mr. Mulroy is a Democrat, but he is not quite so stanch a Democrat as was his father in his earlier years. Mr. Mulroy places the welfare of his country above the success of his party. He is a progressive citizen of the substantial and solid type and has a host of friends in this community. All his life has been spent in St. Paul. As a consequence of his industry and good management he has accumulated a substantial competence and now owns considerable property in this section.

"History of Decatur County, Indiana"
Lewis A. Harding
B. F. Bowen & Co.
Indianapolis, Indiana
published in 1915.