Clifford G. Askin was born at Forest Hill, this county, on March 31, 1878, the son of George and Hannah (Harris) Askin, the former of whom was born in 1836 and died on March 10, 1910. George Askin was born at Tobbercurry, near Sligo, Ireland, a son of Richard and Ann Askin, the latter of whom was of English birth. Richard Askin died when his son, George, was ten years old, and his widow emigrated to America with her little family of four sons and one daughter, of whom George was the youngest. The family landed in New York City, proceeding thence to Rochester, New York, in which city George remained, the other members of the family coming to this county, where the eldest son established a permanent home for his mother and brothers and sister in the Forest Hill neighborhood.

George Askin was apprenticed to the cabinet maker's trade at Rochester, and remained there until he had completed his trade, at the end of which time he rejoined his family in this county. Here he followed his trade for a few years, after which he entered a general store at Forest Hill as a clerk. This form of business appealed to him so strongly that he presently bought the store from his employer and continued in business at Forest Hill for more than twenty-five years, becoming a man of large and admirable influence throughout that whole section of the county. In the spring of 1896 he sold his store and bought a farm at the edge of Forest Hill, where he engaged in farming until 1909, in which year he retired and moved to Indianapolis, here his death occurred the following March. Mr. Askin ever was interest d in movements affecting the public welfare in the county and particularly in that section of the county in which for so many years he was a leader in business affairs. During the seventies and early eighties he was postmaster of Forest Hill and was very popular as an official, his service in that connection being fondly remembered by the older people thereabout. He was a member of the Methodist church, in the affairs of which he ever took a warm interest, and was a potent factor for good in the community. He was a stanch Republican, though not in any way offensive in his partisanship, respecting the views of others, even as he was firm in his own views and opinions. As a leader of the party in his section of the county, his political services throughout the county ever were appreciated by the managers of the party in this section of the state.

In 1868 George Askin was united in marriage to Hannah Harris, who was born at Dunlapsville, near Liberty, Indiana, a daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Kromb) Harris. Isaac Harris was born in New Jersey, in which state his youth was spent. He became a very proficient shoemaker and in his early manhood came to Indiana, locating at Dunlapsville, where he opened a shoe shop and where the rest of his life was spent. His wife, Sarah Kromb, was born in Union county, this state, a daughter of John and Sarah (Combs) Kromb, the former of whom was a native of Holland, and the latter a native of New Jersey. John Kromb emigrated to this country in his young manhood, coming to Indiana, where he became a well-known pioneer of the Liberty neighborhood. Sarah Kromh grew up in Union county and was married there to Isaac Harris. In 1855 Isaac Harris and his family moved to Boone county, this state, where, in 1858, Mrs. Harris died, leaving seven children, Mrs. Askin being one of these. Upon the death of his wife, Isaac Harris moved back to Union county, where he remarried and moved to Rush county, where his second wife died. He married again and spent the rest of his life in Rush county, his death occurring in the town of Glenwood. Mrs. Askin spent her girlhood partly in Franklin and partly in Union county, later living at Lebanon, in Boone county. Upon her marriage to Mr. Askin her home was changed to Forest Hill, in this county, where she immediately became a strong factor in the social and religious life of that community, her influence ever being exerted for the good. She is now living in Indianapolis, honored and respected by all who know her.

To George and Hannah (Harris) Askin were born three children, namely: Clifford G., the immediate subject of this sketch; Henry J., a well-known member of the Indianapolis detective force, and Effie M., who married John M. Barbour and lives at Lawrence, Indiana.

Clifford G. Askin spent his early youth in the town of Forest Hill, his education being received in the excellent schools of that town. When he was eighteen years of age his father moved to the farm, and there Clifford G. remained until he was twenty-four years of age, at which time he moved to Indianapolis, entering upon a position there with an undertaking firm. He remained with this firm one year, at the end of which time he formed a partnership with Charles H. Royster, and went into business for himself, the establishment of Royster & Askin at that time being located in the western part of the city. This firm continued operations there for five years, and in 1910 moved to its present centrally located and commodious quarters at 837 North Illinois street, in the city of Indianapolis, where it has a large and constantly growing patronage among the best families in the city. This establishment is one of the finest and most thoroughly equipped in the state of Indiana.

Clifford G. Askin, as stated in the introduction to this narrative, has made for himself a distinctive place in undertaking circles over the state and throughout the middle states, and enjoys the unreserved confidence of business circles generally in Indianapolis. Two years after he had established the Askin Training School of Embalming, Mr. Askin associated with him in that branch of the business Dr. W. B. Ryan, another Decatur county man, who was added to the staff as instructor. Doctor Ryan died two years or more ago, since which time Mr. Askin has conducted this valuable training school alone. His position with the faculty of the University of Michigan, he having occupied the chair of embalming in that excellent institution since 1911, has proved a means of extending his influence as a scientific embalmer into all parts of the country, and there are few hygienists who enjoy a better established reputation along this particular line than he.

Mr. Askin is a member of the Tabernacle Presbyterian church at Indianapolis and is held in high esteem among his large circle of friends in the capital city. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, retaining his membership in the lodge at Clifty, this county, of which lodge he became a member during his residence in the Forest Hill neighborhood, and in the affairs of which he continues to take a warm interest. He also is a member of the Masonic order, his membership being held in Mystic Tie Lodge at Indianapolis, and he also is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose and of the Improved Order of Red Men, in the same city. Mr. Askin is president of the Decatur County Association of Indianapolis and is one of the prime movers in the annual meetings of that society, these meetings, held in one or another of the pleasant parks with which the capital abounds, proving a season of rare enjoyment and fellowship to all the numerous Decatur county folk who make their home in Indiana's chief city. He is very popular with all the members of the Decatur colony there and enjoys their highest confidence and esteem.

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

William H. Miers was born on the farm on which he now lives, in Clay township, Decatur county, Indiana, August 31, 1853, the son of John L. and Rebecca (Braden) Miers, the former of whom was born in 1842 and died in October, 1912, and the latter of whom was born in 1839 and died in October, 1913. John Laughlin Miers was a native of Virginia who came to this county at an early day and became one of the best-known pioneers of the Clay township section of the county. He married Rebecca Braden, daughter of Jack Braden, a Kentuckian, who came to this county at an early period in the settlement of the same and was prominent in the pioneer life of the community in which he located. John L. Miers was one of the most prosperous and influential residents of Clay township in his day and generation. He became the owner of three hundred acres of land, which he brought to an excellent state of cultivation and was regarded as one of the most substantial citizens of the county. For two terms he served as township trustee of Clay township and his enterprising and public-spirited administration of that office undoubtedly did very much toward advancing the best interests of the township and in the establishment of the present stable conditions therein. He was highly reputed throughout that part of the county and his recent death was the occasion for much mourning on the part of his many friends. The death of his widow in the following year was none the less the occasion of mourning, for she, too, was held in the highest respect thereabout, having been a woman who ceaselessly went about doing good.

To John L. and Rebecca (Braden) Miers were born six children, Thomas, James and Oscar, all now deceased; Herschell, who lives on the Goff farm, in Adams township, this county; Mrs. Della Ford, of Greensburg, this county, and William H., the immediate subject of this sketch.

William H. Miers received his education in the schools of Clay township and was reared to the life of the farm. He inherited a portion of the home farm, including the homestead, and added to this inheritance by buying an adjoining tract, bringing his place up to its present acreage, one hundred and eighty acres; all of which he has brought under excellent cultivation, and on which he has made numerous and substantial improvements.

The home on "Tanglewood Farm" is a pretty and comfortable brick cottage, trimmed in green, and the outlying farm buildings surrounding the big yellow barn are in keeping with the general well-kept appearance of the place, the whole presenting a fine picture of substantial farm life. Mr. Miers takes much pride in his livestock, particularly in the fine breed of his Percheron and Belgian horses and his Shorthorn and Jersey cattle.

In January, 1879, William H. Miers was united in marriage to Lida Graham, daughter of John G. Graham, a one-time well-known farmer of Clay township, this county, a large landowner in that township and in Bartholomew county, this state, who died some years ago at Hartsville.

To William H. and Lida (Graham) Miers seven children have been born, namely: Ray, who farms a part of the Anderson farm, married Ethel Anderson and has three children, Dale, Margaret and Marion; Merle, housekeeper for her uncle at Hartsville; Oscar, who lives three and one-half miles northeast of his father's place, married Eva Worlden; Mrs. Nellie Wildman, who lives on the home farm, has one child, a son, Van Pierce; Sherman, a traveling salesman for the Heinze Company; Wayne, who lives at home, and Gladys, a stenographer, living at Indianapolis.

Mr. and Mrs. Miers are members of the Christian church and take an active and earnest part in the good works of their community, being regarded as among the leaders in all movements designed to elevate the standards of living thereabout. Mr. Miers is a Democrat and takes a good citizen's part in the political affairs of the county, though never having posed as an active politician. He is interested in all matters of good government, however, and is looked upon as one of the most substantial and dependable men in that part of the county.

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

John C. Hays was born in Clay township, Decatur county, Indiana, on June 12, 1874, son of Judson and Mary E. (Jones) Hays, prominent residents of that township. Judson Hays was a pioneer tilemaker of Decatur county, his tile-kiln in Clay township being one of the most important industries thereabout. Not only was the clay of that section of the county well adapted to the purposes of tile-making, but Mr. Hay's careful and scientific study of the processes of tile-making lent to his product a quality which, caused it to be much sought by farmers throughout this whole region and thousands of acres of well-drained land hereabout have been greatly increased in value by the discriminating and intelligent use of the product of this once well-known kiln. Judson Hays died in 1895, the death of his widow occurring not long thereafter. Both were most estimable people and their passing was deeply mourned by many.

To Judson and Mary E. (Jones) Hays were born seven children, namely: Flora, who married Will Pumphrey, of this county; Dora, who married Jacob Kuntz; John C., the immediate subject of this sketch; Mamie, who married Clarence Maze; Gertrude, who married Tilden Knouse; Katie, who married Walter Skinner, and Karl, who lives at Detroit.

J. C. Hays was reared on a farm and for a time was an assistant to his father at the tile-kiln, but did not attempt to continue the operation of that plant at his father's death. Fourteen years ago he engaged in the general merchandise business at Burney and has been very successful. Starting with a sall stock, but with a practical knowledge of the needs of his trade, he gradually increased the scope of his business until now he has a thriving trade, covering a wide territory. His commercial methods from the very start were enterprising, his desire to give the very best service possible leading him to employ only the best and most approved agencies for the promotion of his trade. The straightforward and direct manner appealed to his customers immediately and it was not long until he was prospering as he deserved to prosper. These conditions continued and now Mr. Hays is regarded as one of the most substantial merchants in the western part of the county.

On December 24, 1895, John C. Hays was united in marriage to Mattie Edwards, who was born in Kentucky, the daughter of Daniel Edwards, who now lives at Columbus, this state, and to this union two children have been born, Lory and Mrytle Irene. Mr. and Mrs. Hays are members of the Baptist church and take an earnest interest in the good works of the community, being regarded as among the leaders in all movements helpful to the general welfare.

Mr. Hays is a Republican and gives a good citizen's attention to the political affairs of the county, though never having been included in the office-seeking class. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Burney and is one of the leaders in the affairs of that lodge. Genial, affable and accommodating, he is one of the most popular men thereabout and has hosts of warm friends.

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

Webster Holland Holmes was born in Clinton county, Ohio, on June 7, 1856, the son of the Rev. William and Elizabeth (Cowgill) Holmes, old and honored residents of that section of Ohio. Rev. William Holmes, a "local" minister of the Methodist church, was born in New Jersey in September, 1808. He grew to manhood in that state and then migrated to Ohio, locating in Clinton county, where he engaged in farming and where he spent the rest of his life. He was one of the best-known "local" ministers of the Methodist church in that part of Ohio, and for over fifty years was engaged in preaching the Gospel, to him ever a labor of love, for "local" ministers of the Methodist church received no compensation for their services in those days. Three of his sons served their country faithfully and well as soldiers in the Union arm during the Civil War and the family was highly honored and respected throughout that whole section of the state. William Holmes was a member of an old family in New Jersey, his father being of sound Colonial stock, and his first wife, who, before her marriage, was Katherine Brouse, was also of an old family in that section.

Rev. William Holmes married, secondly, Elizabeth Cowgill, who was born in Clinton county, Ohio, daughter of William Cowgill, a pioneer of that section of Ohio, of Scottish descent. Mrs. Holmes was a most excellent woman. She lived all her life in Clinton county, both she and her husband spending their last days on the farm near Sabina, Ohio, within twelve miles of the point where she was born.

Webster H. Holmes received his education in the district schools of his native county in Ohio, this schooling constantly being supplemented by the sound admonitions of his godly father and mother. Upon reaching manhood he engaged in farming and for twelve years was thus engaged in the neighborhood of his home. In 1887 he moved to Morgan county, Tennessee, where he remained for a year, engaged in the lumber business, at the end of which time he moved to a farm near Williamstown, Kentucky, on which he lived for three years. In 1891 he moved to a farm five miles south of Greensburg, in this county, and became a general building contractor, his operations in that line being extended to various parts of the county. This venture proving successful, he later moved to the village of Horace, this county, where he remained until 1906, in which year he moved to Indianapolis, seeking a wider field for his building operations, and has been quite successful in the capital city, being well recognized and respected among the master carpenters of that city.

On October 19, 1876, Webster H. Holmes was united in marriage at Hillsborough, Ohio, to Martha E. Marsh, who was born on October 13, 1856, and to this union five children have been born, Aura A., Jessie L., Oscar W., Ilo (deceased) and Daisy.

Mr. and Mrs. Holmes are members of the Methodist church and their children have been reared in that faith. Mr. Holmes retains his membership in the Knights of Pythias lodge at Greensburg, and continues to take a warm interest in the affairs of the same, as well as in the general affairs of the county in which he formerly made his home. He and Mrs. Holmes are quite popular in the considerable Decatur county colony at the state capital and are held in the highest esteem by their many friends.

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

Clay Alexander was born in Bartholomew county, Indiana, on June 8, 1862, son of A. J. and Charlotta (Steward) Alexander, the former of whom was a native of Butler county, Ohio, born in 1839, who came to Indiana when he was eighteen years old, settling in Bartholomew county. He later owned eighty acres of land near Hartsville, but traded this for one hundred and sixty acres of land in this county, to which he moved and there spent the remainder of his active business life. Charlotta Steward, who was born in Ireland, came with her parents when six years old to America. They settled in Bartholomew county, Indiana, where she was married to A. J. Alexander and by industry, economy and shrewd management, she and her husband became prosperous farmers. Clay Alexander was about thirteen years old when his parents came to Decatur county and he lived on the old Alexander homestead south of Burney, in Clay township, until he was twenty-seven years old.

At the age of twenty-seven, Clay Alexander was married to Mollie Elliott, daughter of James Elliott, after which he moved to Hartsville where for a time he was engaged in various callings. Later he rented a farm for a year and then moved to Burney where he engaged in teaming and kindred work for fifteen years. At the end of that time, Mr. Alexander built the livery barn in Burney, which he still owns. He has been in the hay, straw, feed and livery business since that time and has a flourishing patronage in this county. He buys large quantities of hay and straw and ships it to distant points, after bailing. For ten years he has been an extensive dealer in horses and about three years ago purchased eighty acres of land three miles south of Burney. This farm is operated by a tenant aid its chief products are corn and clover; he is also a breeder of hogs.

Clay Alexander is a stanch Republican and one of the leaders of his party in Clay township. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge in Burney. Mrs. Alexander is a member of the Baptist church. She is the local correspondent of the Greensburg Daily News and for thirteen years had charge of the Independent Telephone Company's plant at Burney.

Mr. Alexander is one of the solid and substantial citizens of Decatur county and for the past ten years has made a remarkable record in business. Both he and his wife are well liked and respected by the people of the community in which they live.

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

Charles E. Remy was born on a farm in Marion township, Decatur county, Indiana, six miles south of the town of Greensburg, on July 15, 1869, the son of Dr. Alfred S. and Anna M. (Kluge) Remy, the former of whom was born near the town of Brookville, Franklin county, Indiana, and the latter of whom was born in Pennsylvania.

Alfred S. Remy was born on October 4, 1819, the son of the Rev. James I. Remy, a native of South Carolina, of French Huguenot stock, a pioneer minister of the Baptist faith in southern Indiana; a man who exerted a powerful influence for good throughout the region round about Brookville, where for many years he lived and labored. Rev. James I. Remy married an Adair and one of the children of this union, Alfred S. Remy, father of the immediate subject of this sketch, became a physician, who practiced his profession for many years in this county, at the same time carrying on extensive operations as a farmer. Dr. Alfred S. Remy was a graduate of Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati and for a time following his graduation practiced his profession in Jennings county, this state, later coming to Decatur county, locating in Marion township, where he bought a farm of one hundred and seventy-one acres, to which he later added one hundred and forty acres, making three hundred and eleven acres in all, forty acres of which lay in Jennings county.

Doctor Remy was twice married. To his union with Almira Jane Scoby, who was born on December 24, 1821, and who died on May 6, 1862, there were born four children, Dr. Alfred S. Jr., born on January I, 1847, who died in 1880; Henry, born on October 30, 1850, who resides at Concordia, Kansas; Mary Ellen, who died on September 21, 1852, at the age of one year, and Orlando Ellsworth, born on April 4, 1861, who is a resident of Denver, Colorado. Upon the death of his wife, Almira, Doctor Remy married, secondly, Anna Kluge, who was born at Lebanon, Pennsylvania, December 26, 1839, and who died in this county on October 28, 1898, to which union two children were born, Charles E., the subject of this sketch, and Emma Catherine, the latter of whom was born on September 27, 1867, and died on September is of the next year. The father of these children died on March 31, 1890, having been a man of much influence in his day and generation.

Charles E. Remy received his elementary education in the district schools of his home township in this county, supplementing this schooling with a course in Hope College. He then entered upon his career as a farmer and for years lived on the home place in Marion township. He bought the interest of the other heirs in his father's estate and added to the home farm until he now owns four hundred acres of choice land in that part of the county. In connection with his work as a general farmer, Mr. Remy has given considerable attention to the breeding of live stock and has cultivated only the best strains of stock on his farm. In 1909 Mr. Remy retired from active farm life and moved into Greensburg, where he has a very pleasant home. He still gives close personal direction to the affairs of his farm and is keenly alive to all the advancements in the present-day science of agriculture.

On September 23, 1891, Charles E. Remy was united in marriage to Catherine Lowe, who was born in Decatur county, the daughter of Samuel T. and Martha Lowe, also natives of this county, to which union two children were born, one who died in infancy, and Edith, who married Charles Martin, of Greensburg.

Samuel T. Lowe, who was born in this county in November, 1835, for many years was one of the most prominent and influential residents of Marion township. He was a farmer on a large scale and was known throughout this section as a successful stock buyer, being also a large shipper of mules. He was an ardent Democrat and was actively interested in the political affairs of the county. For many years he served as trustee of Marion township, his services in that connection proving of large value to the public. His father, Jonathan Lowe, was one of the early pioneers of this county, a native of Kentucky who came to Indiana at an early day in the settlement of this section, first settling in the Paoli neighborhood, but later coming to Decatur county, entering government land in Marion township. He died in 1836, leaving to his widow, who was Elizabeth Whitman, previous to her marriage, the duty of rearing a considerable family, most of the children of this family still being young at the time of their father's death. This duty she performed with the energy of the true pioneer mother and was able to add to the family's holdings by the additional entry of land in her own name. Samuel T. Lowe reared a large family and in his later years moved to South West City, Missouri, where his death occurred in March, 1913. His widow is still making her home in that city.

Mr. and Mrs. Remy are members of the Presbyterian church at Greensburg and are active workers therein. Mr. Remy is a Republican and takes an earnest interest in the political affairs of this county and the state at large. He several times has been a delegate to the state conventions of his party and in 1912 was a delegate to the historic national convention of the party at Chicago. He is a member of the local lodges of the Elks, of the Knights of Pythias and of the Woodmen, in the affairs of all of which he takes an active interest. He and Mrs. Remy take a proper interest in the social affairs of the city in which they live and are very popular, being held in the highest regard by a large circle of friends.

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

Francis M. Pumphrey was born on the home farm in Clay township in the year 1865 and has always lived in that township. He is the son of William and Lodusky (Jewell) Pumphrey, former prominent and well-known residents of Clay township, the former of whom was a native of Kentucky, who died about six years ago at the age of seventy-two years, and the latter of whom died about twenty years ago.

William Pumphrey was a stanch and stable citizen, a successful farmer and a leader in the good works of the community in which he had lived so long. He and his wife were members of the Methodist church and their children were reared with the strictest regard for all the moral obligations of good citizenship. William Pumphrey abhorred profanity and all coarseness of speech and his sons grew up with the same feeling of repugnance toward such forms of expression, and it is a matter of pleasant neighborhood note that to this day no one can be found who ever has heard any of the Pumphrey "boys" swear. Though a successful farmer along the general lines of agriculture, William Pumphrey's specialty was the breeding of hogs and cattle for the market and his son, the immediate subject of this sketch, came into the live-stock business quite naturally.

To William and Lodusky (Jewell) Pumphrey were born eight children, namely: James A., a prominent farmer of Clay township, who lives north of Burney, on one of the finest and best farms in Decatur county; Francis M., the immediate subject of this sketch; William, who lives in Shelbyville, Indiana; Edwin, a progressive and up-to-date farmer living three-fourths of a mile north of Burney; Elizabeth, the wife of Frank Alline, a well-known farmer living one and one-half miles south of Burney; Fannie, the wife of Joseph Minor, of Burney; May, the wife of Clyde Elliott, a well-known farmer living one mile west of Burney, and Iva, the wife of Earl Littell, of Indianapolis.

Francis M. Pumphrey was reared on the paternal farm in Clay township, receiving his education in the excellent schools of that township. At the age of twenty years, he engaged in the live-stock business on his own responsibility and has become one of the most successful stock buyers in Decatur county, it being doubtful if any dealer in the county handles more stock in the course of a year than does he. When twenty-three years of age, Mr. Pumphrey was united in marriage to Margaret Stealman, daughter of James Stealman, a prominent farmer of the Burney neighborhood. James Stealman, now deceased, was a native of Virginia, whose home was near the famous natural bridge.

To Francis M. and Margaret (Stealman) Pumphrey have been born three children, Floyd, who married May Champ and lives at Burney; Isophene and Marie, the daughters both being at home. Mr. and Mrs. Pumphrey are members of the Baptist church at Burney and take a leading part in the genera1 good works of the community, being highly regarded throughout that whole section of the county. Mr. Pumphrey is a Democrat and for years has taken an active part in local politics, though he had never been a candidate for public office until his recent successful candidacy for the office of township trustee. He is a charter member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Burney and has been one of the most active promoters of the interests of that popular organization. His extensive business affairs have brought him into touch with the leaders of the business interests of Decatur county for years and he enjoys the unbounded confidence and the utmost esteem of all his associates.

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

Born on May 31, 1853, in Decatur county, Indiana, Henry M. Redelman is the son of Mathias and Mary (Bergsterman) Redelman, both natives of Germany, the former of whom was born in 1820, and died in 1855, and the latter of whom was born in 1826, and died in 1866. Mathias Redelman came to America in 1849 and after spending a few years in Cincinnati came to this county, locating in Marion township, where he purchased a farm two miles south of that now owned by his son, Henry M. He and his wife were the parents of two sons, Henry M. and John W., the latter of whom died in 1895. After her husband's death, Mrs. Mathias Redelman married Bernard Rolfes, to which union one child was born, Herman, who died in infancy. After Mrs. Rolfes' death, in 1866, Bernard Rolfes married an aunt of Henry M. Redelman's. Mrs. Mary Redelman, the widow of Frank, who was the mother of eight children at the time of the marriage, and who after her second marriage gave birth to three more. Of the eight children born to Frank and Mary Redelman, the whereabouts of two, H. B. and John, are unknown. Of the others, Ferdinand, is living at Peoria, Illinois; Rosina married Adam Ruhl, and died in Nebraska; Mrs. Christina Ruhl lives in Minnesota; Frank lives in Franklin county; Joseph is deceased, and Mrs. Mary Wagner lives in Peoria, Illinois. The three Rolfes children are Herman, of Washington township; Elizabeth, who married Orville King, of Greensburg, and Mrs. Katie Stier, of Harris City.

Beginning life on his own account in 1869, at the age of fifteen years, Henry M. Redelman learned the cigarmaker's trade in Cincinnati. After serving his apprenticeship he worked for three months in Indianapolis and then went to St. Louis, where he found his trade unprofitable. About that time he began selling medicine, traveling with a horse and rig in Illinois in 1873 and in Missouri in 1874. In the fall of 1874 he returned to Indiana, driving through from St. Louis. Here he followed his business for several years, eventually settling on a farm in 1885.

Two years before removing to the farm, Henry M. Redelman was married, on November 27, 1883, to Sarah A. Hermann, who was born in this county on February 25, 1864, the daughter of Joseph and Susanna (Young) Hermann, the latter of whom came to this country at the age of six years with her parents, who located in Ohio. There were five children in the Hermann family, those besides Mrs. Redelman being as follow: Susanna, now deceased, who married Valentine Hahn, of Marion township, this county; Lizzie, who, upon the death of her sister, Susanna, married the latter's husband, Valentine Hahn, and is now living in Marion township; Josephine, who married Michael Wurtz, of Indianapolis, this state; and Henry, a well-known farmer of Marion township, this county, who married Katie Lohman. The mother of these children was twice married, her first husband having been a Mr. Farraday, a native of Germany, who died about 1849, to which union there were born two children, Mary, now deceased, who married Ben Flack, of Indianapolis, and Anthony, who married Jennie Holwell and lives in Colorado.

To Henry M. and Sarah A. (Hermann) Redelman have been born six children, namely: George F., cashier of the bank at New Point, this county; Walter B., who owns a farm near Slabtown, one mile north of his father's home; Mae J., the wife of T. A. Woods, of St. Denis, Jennings county; Edward V., who is employed by the Sears-Roebuck Company, of Chicago, and Maurice H. and Arthur S., living at home. George F. Redelman married Lena Spitzmesser and they have one son, Norbert. Walter married Amelia Zaphe and they have one daughter, Edna. Mrs. May Woods has one child, Marjorie. Edward married Laura Ruberg. Mr. and Mrs. Redelman's children, several of whom now have homes of their own, are leading honorable and useful lives in the various communities in which they reside.

The success of Henry M. Redelman as a farmer and stock breeder has not been won without patience, toil and consistent diligent effort. He is a man of generous impulses, who takes a commendable interest in the welfare of his neighbors and who is a popular citizen of Marion township. There are no better citizens living in this county than Henry M. Redelman. Mr. and Mrs. Redelman are members of St. Mary's Catholic church at Greensburg, active in all good works, and their children have been reared in that faith. Mr. Redelman is a Democrat and for years has taken a good citizen's part in the political affairs of the county, ever having been an exponent in the best sense of that term.

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

The late John Graham Evans was born on the farm on which his whole life was spent, in Jackson township, Decatur county, Indiana, on May 6, 1864, the son of William A. and Emily (Hice) Evans, and died at the same place on November 23, 1914. William A. Evans, who was born on November 3, 1835, and died on October 11, 1910, came to this county with his father, William Evans, from Hamilton county, on November 5, 1837. At that time a dense forest marred the site of the present beautiful Evans home in Jackson township, for it was there that William Evans settled. He cleared the forest and established a prosperous home and there his son, William A., was reared and in turn established his home there, to be succeeded by his son, the late John G. Evans.

On December 16, 1858, William A. Evans was united in marriage to Emily Hice, a member of one of the pioneer families of Decatur county, and to this union there were born three children, John Graham, the subject of this sketch; Milton E., a farmer of Jackson township, and Winston, deceased. Mrs. Evans died in June, 1898, and Mr. Evans married, secondly, February 19, 1901, Melissa Thompson, who died on April 20, 1908, and on July 8, 1909, he married Sarah Updike, who survives him. After his second marriage, Mr. Evans retired from the active duties of the farm and located in the village of Letts, this county, where his last days were spent. He is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Williams, of Delhart, Texas, and Mrs. Martha Fraley, of Forest Hill, this county. Mr. Evans was a good man and a good farmer and had prospered largely. He was an active member of the Presbyterian church and for many years was one of the most influential men in his part of the county.

John G. Evans was reared on the paternal farm, receiving his education in the local schools and grew up to be one of the most highly-respected young men in Jackson township. On March 28, 1877 he united with the Presbyterian church and on February 3, 1900, became a member of the Mt. Aerie Baptist church, becoming a trustee of that church in 1906 and ordained as a deacon in April, 1907. Mr. Evans cultivated his farm of two hundred and ninety acres in accordance with the latest discoveries in agricultural science, using the most modern appliances in the operation of the same. He took a deep interest in affairs outside the immediate range of the farm and was one of the most active men of affairs in that part of the county. He was a director in the First National Rank of Westport and of the State Bank at Letts, and also was interested in various other enterprises of an important character. The social side of his nature was one of Mr. Evans's most engaging qualities and he was one of the most popular men in that part of the county. He was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Westport and of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Letts, taking a warm interest in the affairs of both these organizations, both of which passed earnest resolutions of respect and condolence upon his passing. No man in the county took a deeper interest in good government than did Mr. Evans, and he was looked upon as one of the leaders of the Democratic party in his township. In the fall of 1908 he was elected to the responsible and important position of township trustee for Jackson township and should have served for six years, his term being due to expire on January 1, 1915. He was performing excellent service in this office, when his untimely and lamented death cut short his useful tenure. As noted above, Mr. Evans farmed on a large scale and was very successful in his agricultural undertakings; he also was an extensive breeder of Duroc-Jersey hogs.

On October 6, 1887, John Graham Evans was united in marriage to Emma B. Davis, who was born in Jackson township, this county, on November 13, 1864, the daughter of Aaron and Jane (Barrett) Davis, both natives of Franklin county, Indiana.

Aaron Davis was born on May 16, 1833, the son of James and Martha (Smathers) Davis, both natives of Kentucky. James Davis was the son of Matthias Davis, a native of Wales, of Welsh and Scottish parentage, who came to this country and was a soldier in the War of 1812. He married a Miss McClellan, a member of the same family from which Gen. George B. McClellan, of Civil War fame, sprang, and located in the Mt. Sterling neighborhood of Kentucky, where James was born and reared. In 1830 Matthias Davis left Kentucky and came to Indiana, locating in Franklin county, from which point he moved to this county, settling in Salt Creek township, where his death occurred in 1840. He and his wife were the parents of ten children, Melinda, James, Joseph, Elizabeth, Isaac, Daniel, Allan, Ambrose, William and Mathias.

James Davis, who was born in 1798 and died in 1866, was married in Kentucky to Martha Smathers, a daughter of Hugh Smathers, a native of Ireland, who immigrated to America, took part in the Indian wars and in the War of 1812 and went to Kentucky, where he married and prospered. In 1830 he came to Indiana and ten years later emigrated to Iowa, where he spent the remainder of his life. Hugh Smathers was twice married, his second wife, who was a Miss Hopkins, having been the mother of three children, Hugh, Sabina and Benjamin. To the union of James Davis and Martha Smathers there were born ten children, namely: Mrs. Sarah Shelton, Harrison, a well-known resident of Clay township; Matthias, deceased; Mrs. Nancy Pavey, Mrs. Sabina Burkman; Aaron, father of Mrs. Evans; Mrs. Andocia Sharp; Mrs. Eliza Barnes; Martha and Elizabeth. The mother of these children died in 1866.

Aaron Davis was reared on the home farm in this county, receiving such educational advantages as the schools of his boyhood afforded, and at eighteen years of age began to work for himself as a farm hand. When twenty-one years old he married and settled on a small farm in Sand Creek township, which he sold and bought a farm in Clay township. Four years later he sold this farm and bought one hundred and sixty acres near the village of Letts, in Jackson township. Here he prospered and gradually added to his holdings until he was the owner of two hundred and forty acres of excellent land, on which he erected a fine, large two-story brick house. In 1881 he and O. S. Mitchell built a grain elevator at Letts and for some time he was successfully engaged in this business, but in 1894 sold his interest to his partner and retired from active business. He was a Republican and took a warm interest in local politics, being one of the strongest factors in the promotion of the cause of good government in that part of the county.

On October 24, 1858, Aaron Davis was united in marriage to Jane Barrett, who was born in Franklin county, this state, October 10, 1837, the daughter of Charles and Mildred (Gentry) Barrett, natives of Virginia. Charles Barrett was a soldier in the War of 1812 and died in Franklin county in 1837. His wife was the daughter of Clairborn Gentry, a native of Virginia, and who came of an old Colonial family, who settled in Franklin county in 1837.

To Aaron and Jane (Barrett) Davis were born eight children, namely: John C., a former instructor in the United States army, in service in Cuba, now living in Montana; Albert, who lives in Idaho; Emma B., the widow of Mr. Evans; Mrs. John Shafer, who lives in Pierce, Colorado; Mrs. Ida M. Moore, who lives in Champaign, Illinois; Rev. Henry Davis, a minister of the Baptist church, who, on September 27, 1899, married Eva White and lives at Eugene, Oregon; Everett, who lives in the state of Washington, and Clifford C., who is operating the old home farm.

To John Graham and Emma B. (Davis) Evans were born six children, as follow: Mrs. Ethel Williams, of Letts, this county, who has a daughter, Ruth; Mrs. Hazel Gilmour, of Jackson township; Nelle, a teacher in the schools of Jackson township; Mildred, a student in the Newburg high school; Blanche, who is in the sixth year of her school work, and Russell, who is in the fifth grade of his school work.

Mrs. Evans is a member of the Mt. Airie Baptist church and is devoted to the good works of the same. Her influence is felt in many ways throughout that part of the county in which she lives.

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