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JACOB D. PIPPENGER is a son of Daniel E. and Elizabeth (Stander) Pippenger, and was born on the farm on which he is at present residing on May 9, 1860, being the eighth in a family of ten children. He received only the advantages of the common schools in the winter months after he had become old enough to assist on the farm, but possessing a naturally bright intellect, he made the most of his opportunities and became a good scholar. When he was twenty years of age be decided that he was competent to make his own way in the world, and as farming was the occupation with which he was most familiar, be began following that in Jackson townsbip but two years later went to Union township, where he remained four years. At the end of this time he purchased the old home of his parents (in July, 1885) and now has one of the best improved tracts of land in the county, which desirable state of affairs he assisted in bringing about in his youth. The place contains eighty acres and as every nook and cranny is carefully looked after, it yields a larger income than many larger farms. He is engaged in a general line of farming, and stock raising is a branch to which be gives considerable attention. He is one of the most enterprising young farmers of the county and has been decidedly successful in this calling. His marriage, which occurred August 19, 1880, was to Miss Sallie T. Stump, daughter of Solomon Stump, a sketch of whom appears in this work, and on whose farm she was born on November 29, 1859, being his second child. Like her husband she received her education in the common country schools, and both are members of the German Baptist Church. Their union has resulted in the birth of a daughter, Susan M., who was born in Union township on May 16, 1883, and is at present attending the common schools near her home. Mr. Pippenger is a pronounced Democrat, and being quite a reader, keeps himself well posted on the current issues of the day. He is by no means backward in the use of his means, but gives liberally to schools, churches, etc., in fact, all things tending to improve the county receive his hearty support. His home is a most desirable one, being handsome, convenient and commodious, and his handsome barns and well-kept out-buildings present a fine appearance, and are an indication of the enterprise and practical intelligence of the man.

“Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties, Indiana
Together with Biographies of Many Prominent Men of Northern Indiana and the Whole State, Both Living and Dead”
Goodspeed Brothers Publishers, Chicago
1893
John Morris Co. Printers and Binders

JOHN LUKE. Nowhere within the limits of Elkhart county, Ind., can there be found a man who takes greater interest in its agricultural affairs than John Luke, or who strives more continually to promote and advance these interests. Every life has a history of its own, and although in appearance it may possess little to distinguish it from others, yet the connection of Mr. Luke with the agricultural interests of this region has contributed to give him a wide and popular acquaintance with nearly every citizen of the county, if not personally, then by name. He was born in Holmes county, Ohio, on the old homestead, April 18, 1826, and is of German descent, both of his grandfathers having been natives of that country. After emi¬grating to this country they settled in Jefferson county, Penn., where they became well-known and prominent citizens. The paternal grandfather reared the following children: Margaret (a Mrs. Fisher), Jacob, George and John. The last named was the father of our subject. He was born in Jefferson county, Penn., and his educational advantages were confined to the common schools. After growing up, he selected agricultural pursuits as his calling in life and went to Holmes county, Ohio, where he was among the very first settlers. He cleared up a farm of 160 acres, made a good home, and to this brought his bride, Magdalena Shutt, also of German descent. Five children were born to this marriage: Peter, Jacob, John, Daniel (who was accidentally killed at the age of fifteen) and Susan. Mr. Luke resided on this farm the remainder of his days and lived to be eighty-five years of age. He was a substantial farmer and a man of irreproachable character. Besides his farm in Holmes county, Ohio, he owned another farm in Fulton county, that State, and was well and favorably known. His son, John Luke, subject of this sketch, acquired his knowledge of books in the common schools of his day and when but a boy began learning the blacksmith's trade. On April 5, 1850, when twenty-four years of age, he was married in Holmes county, Ohio, to Miss Sarah Schrock, who was born May 13, 1831, and who was the daughter of John C. and Katie (Hochstetler) Schrock. Nine children were the fruits of this union: Susannah, born February 1, 1851; Josiah, born March 3, 1853; William M., born July 13, 1855; John, born October 29, 1856; Sevilla, born February 12, 1859; Mary, born February 16, 1861; Jacob, born March 16, 1863; Peter, born August 13, 1866, and Elmira, born August 4, 1868. For fourteen years after his marriage Mr. Luke followed blacksmithing in Holmes county, Ohio, but also owned a farm of 100 acres in Berlin township. Formerly an old line Whig in politics, upon the formation of the Republican party he espoused the principles of that party and has been one of its warmest adherents since. For one term he held the office of justice of the peace. In April, 1864, Mr. Luke moved to Elkhart county, Ind., and worked at the blacksmith's trade for some time. He purchased his present farm of 110 acres, but in connection with tilling the soil worked at the blacksmith's trade for ten years. He partially cleared up his farm, made many fine improvements, consisting of an excellent residence and a commodious barn which stands on a solid stone foundation. He has ever taken a deep interest in educational matters, has been a member of the school board, and he is also interested in good roads, being road supervisor of his township and superintendent one year. Naturally quiet and retiring, Mr. Luke has objected to holding public offices, although often urged to do so. He and wife are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and he held the office of deacon and elder for many years. Upright and honorable in all his dealings he has set his children an excellent example of Christian life, and is well known for his industrious and manly course through life. His son, Josiah, married Miss Agnes Coonley and is the father of two children. He is now farming in Middlebury township. John married Miss Ella Nusbaum and has one child. He is farming in Clinton township this county. Sevilla married Lucius Prough, a farmer of La Grange county, Ind., and has four children. Mary married Albert Prough, a farmer of La Grange county, and has one child. Peter married Miss Alda Smith, and is engaged in the lumber business in Middlebury. The daughter, Elmira, received a good education in the graded schools of Goshen. Mr. Schrock, the father of Mrs. Luke, was born in Somerset county, Penn., and was of German descent. He moved to Holmes county, Ohio, but subsequently moved to Fulton county, that State, where he had a farm of 150 acres. He was the father of five children, all of whom lived to mature years. His first wife, formerly Kate Hochstetler, was the mother of four children: Jacob, Mary, Sarah and Levi. After her death he married Miss Mary Legerson, who bore him one child, who grew to womanhood, viz., Delila. They had other children, all of whom died in childhood.

DAVID B. MILLER, who was one of the earliest pioneers of Union township, Elkhart Co., Ind., moved to the farm where he now lives when the country was covered with timber and the settlers were few and far between. He was born in this county, Jackson township, August 18, 1838, and was the second child born to the union of John D. and Mary (Baker) Miller, natives of Montgomery county, Ohio, and Massachusetts, respectively. The grandfather, David Miller, was a native of the Keystone State, and was an early settler in Ohio. At an early day he emigrated to Indiana and settled in the woods of Jackson township in 1830, or about that time, when the country was a wilderness, inhabited only by wild animals and wilder savages. He came to the county overland, and settled on eighty acres, built a log house, and immediately began clearing and improving. He reared three sons and four daughters, of whom our subject's father is the only one now living, but all reached mature years, married, and became the heads of families. They were named as follows: David, Samuel, John, Elizabeth, Catherine, Lydia and Susan. The mother of these children died in Ohio, and the father afterward married again, and two children, Michael and Steven, were born to this union. Both are living in Milford. The father died in Jackson township, where he had spent many years of his life. John D. Miller was born in 1812: and amid the rude pioneer scenes of Montgomery county, the father of our subject grew to manhood. He married Miss Mary Baker, a daughter of Caleb Baker, and later moved with his father to Elkhart county, Ind., and assisted the latter to clear up the farm. Later he moved to the farm where he now lives, and has resided there ever since. He is eighty years of age, and is the oldest pioneer in the county; a man who passed through all the trying experiences of an early settler, but whose record has ever been uptight and honorable. He is a member of the German Baptist Church, and in politics he has ever been with the Whig and Republican parties. He is well posted on all subjects of importance, and his mind is as vigorous as ever. A man much attached to his home, he accumulated a handsome property, and now, during the sunset of his life, enjoys the accumulations of many years of hard labor. He reared ten children to whom he gave$1,500 apiece, and his generosity in other directions has become well known. For over sixty years this venerable gentleman has been a resident of Jackson township, and during that time he bas contributed his share toward its development. His wife died about 1830. Their children were named as follows: Catherine (deceased), Samuel (deceased), John N. (deceased), Hester, David B., Mary A., Aaron, Matilda, George W. and Martha J. Hester, married Jonas Shively, and resides in Goshen; Mary, married Michael Treesh, and resides in Goshen; Matilda, married John Dubbs and is a resident of Kosciusko county; Martha J., married David Blough and resides east of Milford, in Kosciusko county; Aaron, married Miss Sarah Myers and is a resident of Jackson township, and George married Lydia Miller, and now lives west of Goshen. All are well-to-do and prominent citizens. David B. Miller, our subject, was reared on his father's farm in Jackson township, and attended the district school in his neighborhood, securing a good, practical education. When eighteen years of age young Miller started out to fight life's battles for himself, and hired out by the month to a farmer. When twenty-one years of age he married Miss Susan Smith, a native of Canada, born July 17, 1837, and who was but three years of age when she came to this country with her parents, John and Catherine (Snyder) Smith. Mr. Smith settled in Union township, this county, on 160 acres of land entered from the Government, and resided on this until his death, in August 1890. He was a Democrat in politics, a public-spirited citizen, and a man of property. His wife was born in Canada, and was a daughter of Samuel Snyder. She is still living, is seventy-seven years of age, and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Miller. She had eight children, as follows: Susan, Mrs. Miller; Sarah, now Mrs. John Whitehead, resides in Jackson township; Christian, wife of Valentine Whitehead, also of Jackson township; Caroline, a widow, resides in Jackson township; Simeon resides in Union township; Jacob, resides at Waterford; John, who died four or five years ago, and Samuel resides in this county. Mrs. Miller was reared on her father's farm, received a fair education, and is a lady of more than ordinary ability. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Miller resided with his father for about a year and then moved to Union township, settling on the farm where they now reside. Mr. Miller bought forty acres, and forty acres were given his wife by her father. He used an ox team for eight years, and as he had bought his forty acres on time, he was obliged to work very hard to make anything. Ever public-spirited and enterprising, he allows no worthy movement to fail if he can prevent it, and in church work he takes a leading part. He and Mrs. Miller are members of the German Baptist Church, and he is active in educational matters. In his political views he affiliates with the Democratic party. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born eight children: Aaron, born September 28, 1859, married Miss Amanda Mason, are residing in Harrison township and he is engaged in farming; John, born March 1, 1861, married Miss Kate Werner, they have two children, Lulu and Leroy, and he is in the dry goods and grocery bl1siness; Samson, born March 26, 1864, married Miss Mary Werner and they have one child, Floyd; Mary A., born February 1, 1867, became the wife of William Sinning, and is the mother of three children, Lloyd, Clyde and Calvin ; Milton, born August 24, 1868, married Miss Alice Yoder, and resides in Goshen; Matilda, born March 19, 1870, married Ulysses Grant, of New Paris, and has one child, Vinson; Lydia, born March 5, 1872, is well educated and a teacher of note; Amanda, born September 19, 1874, is at home. The Millers are classed among the representative people of the county, and have ever been progressive and enterprising.

JESSE HIRE. Mr. Hire is one of the oldest pioneer citizens of Elkhart county, Ind., and comes of German stock, inheriting all the thrift, enterprise and perseverance of his Teutonic ancestors. His grandfather came from Germany at an early date and settled in Rockingham county, Va.; where he married and reared his family. His son, Rudolph, the father of our subject, and another son, Michael, are the only children remembered. Rudolph first saw the light of day in Rockingham county and was there married to Miss Annie Iman, daughter of Jacob Iman, who moved from Rockingham county, Va., settling at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, at an early date. After his marriage Rudolph Hire moved to Ross county, Ohio, and was among the very first settlers. Indians were numerous and not any too friendly. He cleared up a good farm, assisted by his son, and after years of hard labor became the owner of a very desirable home. All his children were born in Ross county and named as follows: Jemimah, Betsy, Nancy, Absolom, Jesse, John, Rudolph, Mary, William and Jacob. All grew to mature years, married and became the heads of families. In the fall of 1832 Mr. Hire moved with his family to Elkhart county, Ind., and with three four-horse teams made the journey in one week. He settled on the State road in Benton township, on the farm now occupied by John Hire, and entered 160 acres of land. Assisted by his sons, he began improving and developing this farm, and on this he and his wife passed the closing scenes of their lives. Both were members of the Dunkard Church, and when going west Dunkard families would stop at the Hire house, where they were received with great hospitality, as was the custom in those days, and were never charged a cent. In politics Mr. Hire was a Democrat. Although a Dunkard in his religious belief, he was a soldier in the War of 1812, but being taken sick, hired a substitute. He was one of the old-time pioneers, and spent the best part of his days in developing and clearing the farm for future generations. He had but little education, but could read and write, and being a man of observation and thought, he was better posted, perhaps, than many who had better advantages. When young, and when a resident of Ohio, he killed many deer and experienced all the pleasures as well as the privations of pioneer life. He lived to the good old age of eighty-four years and died honored and respected by all. He was a very hard worker, following his duties on the farm until the last, and by his industry and good management accumulated a comfortable fortune. His son, Jesse Hire, was born January 21, 1811, in Ross county, Ohio, and was reared amid the rude surroundings of pioneer life. At an early age he became familiar with the hardships of the early settlers, and as was almost invariably the case with lads on the frontier, he was strong and stalwart, well fitted to bear his part in subduing the rude forces of nature. His educational advantages, as a matter of course, were limited, but he learned to read and write, and when twenty-one years of age came with his parents to Elkhart county, Ind., where he assisted his father to clear up a farm and make a home. He became an expert hunter and killed a great many deer, turkeys and coons, thus assisting to provide meat for the family. He says that the old pioneer families enjoyed life better than the people of to-day and he remembers the good old days with pleasure. In March, 1831, when nineteen years of age, he was married in Ross county, Ohio, to Miss Rebecca Christie, who was born in 1813 and who was the daughter of Llewellyn Christie, a farmer of Ross county, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Hire was born one child who lived to mature years, Abraham. After the death of this wife Mr. Hire was married on September 18, 1838, to Miss Mary Koonce, daughter of Michael Koonce, a farmer of Elkhart, Ind. To this union were born eight children, as follows: Nettie, Martha, Catherine, Sophronia, Jacob, Michael, Daniel and Jesse. Daniel died when twenty-eight years of age. Following the death of his second wife, Mr. Hire was married on May 17, 1868, to Mrs. Susan Fahl, formerly Miss Orchard, daughter of Aaron and Mary (Harper) Orchard. Mr. Orchard was one of the old pioneer settlers of Benton township, this county, but came originally from Ross county, Ohio. After residing in Elkhart county for many years he moved to Iowa and was one of the early settlers of Green county, and a prominent farmer. He was an upright, straightforward man and was highly esteemed. His children, eight in number, were named as follows: Elizabeth, Gideon, Susan, Naomia, Philip, Norman, Louisa and Mary J. To Mr. and Mrs. Hire have been born four children, only two now living, Emma and Gideon. Emma married Eli Price, a farmer of this township, and has one child. Gideon is at home. In politics Mr. Hire is a Democrat. He is a member of the Dunkard Church and his wife is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Hire's long life has been one of energy and industry; and he has resided on his present farm since 1834. He first entered forty acres, which he cleared of the heavy brush and timber with which it was covered, and gradually added to this until he owned a fine tract. For fifty-eight years he has resided on this farm, and Elkhart county has reason to be proud of this early pioneer who has done so much to win her a favorable reputation as an agricultural center, and whose career has ever been above reproach. He is probably the only man in the county who is living on the farm he entered from the Government. By thrift and industry he accumulated 410 acres but has given his children all but about 240 acres, which he still retains. Although eighty-two years of age, Mr. Hire is still active and industrious and still continues to work, and is probably the only man of his age in the county who can and does do a good day's work at farm labor. His son Abraham married Miss Margaret McNutt and they have five children; he was a farmer, but was also engaged in merchandising in Ligonier, Ind., he is now deceased; Nettie, married Alfred Juday, a carpenter, she is now deceased and left three children; Martha J. married Isaac Whitman, a farmer, and they have five children; Catherine, married Francis Ott, a farmer of Noble county, Ind., and has six. children; Sophronia, married Curtis Grose, a baker of Ligonier, Ind.; Jacob, married Miss Rachel Culver, and has one child; he is a farmer of Noble county; Jesse married Miss Louisa Lamb and has two children; he is a farmer of Benton township, this county; Michael, married Miss Della Lamb, and resides on the home farm. Thus it may be seen that Mr. Hire has twenty-three grandchildren, ten of whom are married, and has nine great-grandchildren. This is the most remarkable record in the county. Nearly a decade more than half a century has rolled away since Mr. Hire entered land in the heart of the wilderness and cleared it of the virgin forest. He has seen the country develop rich and productive farms take the place of wild and wooded land, and has contributed his full share toward its development. When he first settled on his farm there were no roads and it was two years before the assessor found him. He built his first cabin with his own hands and understands fully the privations and hardships of pioneer days. Although Father Time has laid his whitening hand on our subject's head, he still enjoys comparatively good health, and until recently worked in the field at any kind of farm work. He has an excellent memory and his mental faculties are unimpaired.

CHARLES H. KENDRICK is a public-spirited citizen, in harmony with advanced ideas, intelligent progress and the best methods of promoting education, improvements and good of his country generally. He was born in Nashua, N. H., March 24, 1823, of English ancestry, who came to this country and took up their abode in New England. His father was a native of Amherst, N. H., and in early life entered a store in Boston, where he remained several years, from which place he removed to the village of Nashua, N. H., which was then a thriving cotton manufacturing place on the Massachusetts border, where he became established in the business of a country merchant. Having received a common-school education, supplemented by an academic course, Charles H. Kendrick entered his father's store, where he remained until March, 1843, when he went to the city of New York and engaged for a time in mercantile pursuits; then returned to his native place and his father's store. In 1847, having received the offer of a position by Judge Charles F. Gove, then superintendent of the Nashua & Lowell Railroad, he accepted the same, acting in the capacity of clerk in the freight and passenger departments, assistant conductor, etc. In March, 1852, Gen. George Stark, treasurer of the road, was offered and accepted the position of superintendent of the Hudson River Railroad, which had just been completed between New York City and Albany, and Mr. Kendrick accompanied him to his new field of labor. He was placed in charge of the passenger department of the road, 150 miles in length, under the presidency of the late Gov. E. D. Morgan. This road, like many others in the early days of railroading, had its many vicissitudes and changes, and for many years was unremunerative to its stockholders. Located on the east bank of the Hudson River, it was subject to competition by large passenger steamers and other river craft, aided by the powerful influence of the New York Central Railroad, then its only western and northern connection. Following the presidency and able management of the Hon. Sam Sloan, now and for many years past, the president and manager of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, with its extensive coal and railroad traffic, came the presidency of Commodore Vanderbilt, succeeded by his son, William H., and Chauncey M. Depew, under whose skillful management and the changed condition of things incident upon the termination of the war and new and extensive ramifications of the railroad systems of the country, etc., the Hudson River Railroad soon became prosperous and in November, 1869, a part of the "New York Central & Hudson River Railroad" system. The subject of this sketch was continued at the head of the passenger and ticket department of the new combination and so continued until the "centennial year," when he became auditor of passenger accounts of the road, and upon the absorption of the West Shore Railroad into the Central & Hudson River system, had charge of the passenger accounts of that road also. July 1, 1888, after a continuous railroad service of forty-one years Mr. Kendrick resigned his position and for one year resided in Dakota. In August, 1889, he became a resident of Elkhart, Ind., his present home. During the many years of railroad service, continued during the early period of railroad history of the United States, Mr. Kendrick has witnessed many changes occurring from time to time, and the rapid development of the growth of our railroad system has, indeed, been marvelous. At the commencement of his railroad career there were practically no railroads in New England, and but few in other parts of the country. It is within his recollection that the first railroad leading out of Boston was constructed, and well he remembers his first trip to Boston over the Boston & Lowell Railroad, the journey to Lowell being made by stage from Nashua. The train consisted of compartment cars of English style, with seats transversely arranged and upholstered with drab broadcloth, and with doors at the sides. The brakemen were located on the tops of the cars. The cars were provided with chains and buffers instead of the present devices of Miller platforms and couplers for connecting them. Granite sleepers were used in the construction of the track, making it not only substantial but rigid and unyielding, and they soon gave way to the wooden ties, or sleepers, as they were then called. Passenger conductors, in those days, were largely selected from stage drivers of routes throughout the country that had been displaced by the new order of things. Palace sleeping cars and other improvements of great importance to the safety and comfort of travelers, vestibule trains, etc. have supplanted old equipment. Trains are run with much greater speed, and it leads one to wonder if the next half century will possibly develop equally great improvements. Mr. Kendrick was married in 1849 to Miss Susan M. Newell, a native of the State of New York, also of English ancestry, and by her he has two sons: Charles F. and Edmund N.

CHRISTIAN HELMINGER. This citizen is one of the prominent farmers and an inhabitant of Union township, Elkhart Co., Ind. Like many of the representative citizens of the county he is a native of the Buckeye State, born in Shelby county, January 6, 1840, and was the third child born to Jacob and Catherine (Zarn) Helminger. Jacob Helminger was born in Germany, and there remained until twenty years of age, when he decided that he could better his condition by a residence in the United States. He crossed the ocean to this country, settled in Shelby county, Ohio, and was there married to Miss Zarn, who died in 1842. Afterward the father married Miss Elizabeth Lewis, and four children were born to them: Michael, Louis, Sophia and Elizabeth, all living. The father followed the occupation of a farmer, and in connection was also engaged as a carpenter. By his first wife he was the father of three children: Jacob; George (died young), and our subject. In 1851, when the original of this notice was about eleven years of age, the father too passed to that bourne from whence no traveler returns, and as a consequence Christian Helminger remembers very little of his parents. After the death of the father the children were scattered, and Christian, who was then but eleven years of age, was thrown on his own resources. Even at that early age he showed remarkable talent for taking care of himself, and after working on a farm for some time began carpentering. He grew to manhood in Shelby county, and in 1878 came to Indiana and settled at New Paris, in Elkhart county, where he worked as carpenter and contractor, putting up a number of houses and barns in that town and through the county. In 1884 he began as an agriculturist, after having made a success of his trade for many years, and is now managing a farm of 160 acres owned by his wife and her sister. He selected his companion in life in the person of Miss Elizabeth Stump, daughter of Samuel Stump, and their nuptials were solemnized in 1885. Mr. Stump and wife were natives of Canada, but at an early day came to Elkhart county, where they were married. Seven children were born to them, as follows: Mary, born in Elkhart county, June 29, 1840, became the wife of John Weldy, of Kosciusko county; Sarah, born April 14, 1842, died June 13, 1882; George, born December 29, 1844, died March 29, 1847; Magdalene, born February 7, 1847, is single; Elizabeth, born February 10, 1849, is the wife of Mr. Helminger; Samuel, born June 9, 1851, died November 9, 1873, and Anna, born December 5, 1855, is still living. Mrs. Helminger's mother was formerly a Stump, a daughter of Solomon Stump, and the granddaughter of Abraham Stump. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Stump settled in Union township and took up good land, on which they passed the remainder of their days, both dying in the year 1880, the father on February 5, when sixty-three years of age, and the mother just nine days later, when seventy years of age. They were pioneers of the county, and worked hard to get a comfortable home. Honorable and upright in every walk of life they were highly respected by all, and were classed among the best citizens. They left 240 acres of land to their children, and Elizabeth, Magdalene and Anna are living on the quarter section left them. Mary, Mrs. Weldy, owns eighty acres and the old home. Mr. Hel¬minger is engaged in general farming and stockraising, and has made considerable improvement on the place. In his political belief he is a Republican, and is considerably interested in the political affairs of the country. He takes an active interest in schools and churches, and all other worthy movements.

MARTIN LONG. The Long family is of German descent, the grandfather of our subject, with his family, emigrating from Wurtemberg, Germany, and settling in Berks county, Penn. George Long, the father of our subject, was reared in that county, and later settled in Preble county, Ohio, were he followed the trade of wagon maker. He married Miss Catherine Gloss and the following children were born to them: Samuel, Fred, Martin, Margaret, Catherine, Sarah and Rachel. When an old man, Mr. Long came to Indiana with his son Martin and died in the Hoosier State when seventy years of age. He was an honest, industrious man and a worthy and exemplary member of the Lutheran Church. He was a good singer and often led the singing in church. Martin Long, the original of this notice, was born in Preble County, Ohio, December 6, 1818, on the banks of a creek near an old mill in which his father ground corn for the soldiers of the War of 1812. He had but little chance to get an education in the old pioneer schools, but learned to read and write. He was taught all the duties of farm life at an early age and when but a child worked for farmers at a shilling a day. In February, 1834, young Long arrived in Benton township, Elkhart Co., Ind., where his elder brother, John, had resided for two years. The latter had entered eighty acres of land and on this our subject now resides. John walked from Preble county, Ohio, to this county, a distance of 150 miles in six days, over very bad roads, and kept up with a man driving a pair of horses. The severe labor of this trip and the hardships incident to pioneer life had their effect on this enterprising young man. After he had entered eighty acres of land he walked to Fort Wayne one day and back the next, was taken ill and died at the house of Michael Price, one of the original pioneers of this township. His land then fell to his father and the two youngest sons, Marlin and Fred, who came out together in 1834, bringing their father, then an aged man, and settling on this farm. They came with a yoke of oxen and an old horse in the lead, were weeks on the way, and had a very tedious journey. They lived in a small log house that the neighbors had built in the snow that spring, and subsisted on corn meal and game. Between them they had $2, and this they spent for a shovel and a bushel of corn, which they obtained from Samuel Stutzman and which kept them from starving. The boys worked bravely to clear their place, and as game was very abundant, deer, turkeys, squirrels, etc., their principal food was corn meal and squirrel. This they lived on for many months. By the next year these wide awake young men had partly cleared up four acres and put in a crop of corn. As they had left standing all the trees over eighteen inches in diameter, they had but a small crop, principally fodder. The first winter the cattle were wintered on wild nettles, on which they seemed to thrive when it was green, but when this was dry in the winter they got poor. In this way these boys got a start. Fred was two years younger than our subject and but fourteen years of age. He remained with his brother until grown and finally settled on forty acres of his own land. Later he settled near Oswego, on eighty acres of land, and there he died when sixty years of age, leaving a wife and two children, John and Ada. After residing for five years on the farm that he and his brother had made such great efforts to clear, and after clearing about six acres, our subject was married September 20, 1841, to Miss Lydia Zearfass, who was born July 27, 1823, and who was the daughter of John and Catherine (Conrad) Zearfass, natives of Northumberland county, Penn. Lydia came to this county with the family of John Trego, who settled northeast of Goshen. Mr. and Mrs. Long settled in an old log cabin in the woods, but as the years passed along and their hard labor and industry began to bear fruit, they erected a barn and a good frame house in 1858. They added to the original tract of land until now this worthy couple own 456 acres. Mr. Long worked very hard, saved all his money, and made nearly all the implements that he used. He learned grafting, and as it was profitable in early days, he followed it for forty years. He has also made shoes and worked at anything that would bring him in an honest dollar. His wife was a helpmate indeed, frugal and industrious, and often worked far into the night to assist in making a home. Eight children were born to this most estimable couple and all lived to mature years: John, born January 26,1842, and died in the army; Catherine, born April 3, 1844; Amos, born March 20, 1846; Frederick, born March 17, 1850, and died when a young man; Sarah A., born November 23, 1851; Nathaniel, born April 15, 1858; James A., born December 5, 1862; and Mary L., born December 5. 1864. Both Mr. and Mrs. Long are members of the Lutheran Church and he is a Republican in politics. During the war he was a strong Union man and during the enlistment of the soldiers he played his fife in all the neighboring towns. His son, John was in several skirmishes and was taken ill and died. His body was brought home and interred in the Solomon's Creek Cemetery. Mr. Long is now a man seventy-four years of age and is a respected pioneer citizen. His life has been a struggle from his youth up, but he has surmounted all difficulties and can pass the remainder of his days in comfort. He and his brother were the youngest pioneers in the county and their perseverance and industry were remarkable. Mr. Long has witnessed many changes in the country in the last half century and has seen the wilderness transformed into the fertile and productive tracts of land. He has given all his children a start in life and on equalization will leave them each $3,500. Catherine married John Crisson, a farmer of Kosciusko county, and they have seven children; Amos married May Mullin (deceased), and to them were born six children (he is a farmer of Kosciusko county); Sarah A. married John Mullin, a farmer of Kosciusko county, and they have four children; Nathaniel married Mahala Hapner, and is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Benton township, this county; James A. was married March 13, 1887, to Miss Saloma A. Juday, daughter of John S. Juday (see sketch; they reside on a farm in Benton township); Mary D. married Milo Ott, a farmer of Kosciusko county, and they have one child. Mr. Long made the first ax handles and ox yokes for sale in the county, and sold them at Benton. People would come from some distance to have him make these handles and he would often work at them during the evenings. James A. Long, son of our subject, was born on the old homestead and was fairly educated in the common schools. He married Miss Juday, a member of the old Juday family, when twenty-four years of age, and is now residing on the home place. He is a practical farmer, an industrious, thoroughgoing young man, and is respected by all. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party.

DAVID P. WEAVER. Another of the early pioneers of Elkhart county, Ind., Mr. Weaver has won the respect and esteem of all for his many excellent traits of char¬acter and for his upright, honorable career. His parents, Peter and Susan (Rahrer) Weaver, were natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland respectively, the former born in Lancaster county, April 27, 1807, and the latter on March 27, 1815. Our subject's paternal grandparents, Peter and Magdalene (Swoveland) Weaver, were of German origin, and his maternal grandfather, Jacob Rahrer, was one of the early settlers of the Buckeye State. Peter Weaver, Jr., was but seven years of age when the family moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio, and in that State he made his home unti1 18__, when he emigrated to Elkhart county, Ind. He was married in Ohio to Miss Rahrer, who was but a small child when her parents moved from Maryland to Holmes county, Ohio, where her father passed the remainder of his days. She was one of seven children. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver settled on a farm in Union township, Elkhart county, and there Mr. Weaver died in 1887, when eighty years of age. Mrs. Weaver is still living in Union township and is eighty years of age. Eight of the twelve children born to this worthy couple are still living: Martin, a farmer in Union township; Jacob, a resident of Clinton township, this county; David P., residing in Union township, this county; Benjamin, in Marshall county; Peter, in this county; Christian, Union township; Eva, Mrs. Aaron Mishler, of Clinton township; and Elizabeth, wife of William Mishler of Union township. Those deceased are Magdalene, Rebecca, Samuel and Lerry. The father of these children bought a farm of 160 acres in Elkhart county in 1854, improved it in every way, and became a substantial citizen. He was an upright man and a worthy member of the Lutheran Church. In politics he was a Democrat. He was devoted to his home and family and reared his children to be honest and upright men and women. They are all doing well. David P. Weaver was born in Holmes county, Ohio, October 23, 1841, and was a lad of thirteen years when the family came to Indiana. They made the journey across the country with wagon and were two weeks on the way. They settled on a farm, and David's youthful days were passed in hard labor on the farm, so that he secured but a limited education. When twenty-one years of age he left the parental roof and worked at the carpenter's trade for nine years. In 1863 he married Miss Sarah Swoveland, who was born in Holmes county, Ohio, February 27, 1838, and who was the daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Wartz) Swoveland, natives of Pennsylvania and pioneer settlers of Ohio. Later Mr. and Mrs. Swoveland moved to Union township, Elkhart county, and there both passed the remainder of their days. They were the parents of twelve children, only four now living: Andrew, Sarah, John and Jacob. Those deceased were named Anthony, Lena, Eva, George, Lydia, Michael, Elizabeth and Louis. After his marriage Mr. Weaver worked at his trade about two years and then engaged in farming on his present property. His marriage has resulted in the birth of nine children, as follows: Milo, born January 14, 1864; Rosa, born August 23, 1865, married William Conrad; Lavina, wife of Solomon Rummel, born January 14, 1867; Adaline, born October 14, 1868,. married Milton Rummel, and is the mother of two children, Sadie and Mervie; Henry, born August 10, 1870, died nineteen days later; Susan, born August 10, 1871, died in the following month; Samuel, born in 1873, is at home; Elizabeth, born October 14, 1875; and John, born October 1, 1877. Mrs. Weaver is a member of the German Baptist Church. Mr. Weaver is a public spirited man and takes an active interest in all good work. He has held a number of offices of trust in the township, among them that of school director and supervisor, and is well informed in politics and the affairs of the county. His fine farm of 106 acres has been improved in every way and he is one of the foremost farmers and stockraisers of his township.

ABRAHAM HAPNER. No better citizens have come to Elkhart county than those who emigrated from the green isle of Erin and who brought as their inheritance from Irish ancestors the traits of character and life which has ever distinguished them. The Hapner family is of Irish origin and the first branch of the family to find root upon American soil, was the great-great-grandfather of our subject who crossed the ocean from that country to this at a very early period. The grandfather of our subject, Abraham Hapner, was born in Virginia, but at an early date ventured into the wilds of Ohio, settled in Preble county, and was one of the first settlers. He married Miss Sallie Ott, sister of Michael Ott, who then lived in Preble county, and the following children were born to this union: Jacob, John, Joseph, Jesse, Frances, Abraham, Susannah, Frederick, Eli and Andrew. Mr. Hapner cleared up a good farm of 160 acres in Preble county, on Twin Creek, and there passed the remainder of his days, dying when some sixty years of age, shortly after a visit made to his son Joseph, of this county. The latter, who is the father of our subject, was born on his father's farm in Preble county, Ohio, and received the limited education usual in those days. His early life was passed on the farm, and after reaching mature years he was married to Miss Elizabeth Rookstoot, of German descent, who bore him an old-fashioned family of fourteen children, all but one of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, viz.: Levi, Delilah, Sarah, Abraham, Matilda, Susannah, Franklin, Nelson, George, Hamilton, Joseph, Elizabeth (died when three years of age), Ira and Thomas. In October, 1832, Mr. Hapner came with his wife and two eldest children to Elkhart county, Ind., and settled on eighty acres of land he had entered from the Government, in Benton township. He cleared from six to eight acres of this during the winter, put in a crop in the spring, but later sold it and entered 120 acres in Section 18, Benton township, now occupied by Ira Hapner and known as the old Hapner homestead. Mr. Hapner began at once to clear and burn off his farm, made many improvements, and by thrift and bard work added to his land until he owned in different parts of the county 613 acres. He was a very progressive and substantial farmer, and was well known as one of the earliest pioneers. He and wife were members in good standing in the United Brethren Church, which he assisted to establish in the township, and was both class-leader and steward. In politics he was at one time an old line Whig, but later he became a stanch Republican. He was one of the much-esteemed citizens of the county, and was township trustee for four years. A hard-working man in his youthful days, he finally broke down and had poor health until his death in October, 1876, when nearly sixty-seven years of age. When starting in this county he had little else save a pair of stout hands and any amount of push and energy. After paying the teamsters who hauled him from Ohio, he had but $20 left with which to begin life. At one time he walked with John Long (brother of Martin Long) to Fort Wayne one day, entered land, and walked back the following day, a distance of fifty miles. This walk, in connection with his walk from Ohio, was supposed to have caused the death of Mr. Long, who died shortly afterward. Mr. Hapner was a man universally respected, and a citizen highly esteemed. His son, Abraham Hapner, the subject of this sketch, first opened his eyes to the rude surroundings of pioneer life in Elkhart county, January 19,1835, and there at an early age began assisting his father to clear and develop his farms. He received a common-school education in the old subscription schools, and well remembers many of the old pioneers. On the 1st of October, 1857, when about twenty-three years of age, he was married to Miss Sarah Ott, daughter of Michael and Catherine (Juday) Ott, and after marriage settled on land on the Ft. Wayne road in Benton township, where he remained for one season. He then moved to the west side of the township, settled on eighty acres belonging to his father and resided there until the spring of 1861. He then moved on the farm of Michael Ott, buying an eighth interest, and there resided until January 21, 1868, when he moved to his present farm, then consisting of sixty-two acres, to which he has since added, until he owns 148 acres of productive land. He has made many fine improvements, has a comfortable house and good farm buildings, and an excellent orchard. From his industry and good management, Mr. Hapner has met with substantial results, and is one of the prosperous agriculturists of his section. To Mr. and Mrs. Hapner have been given five children, three of whom lived to mature years: Mahala, Marietta and Matilda. Mr. and Mrs. Hapner hold membership in the United Brethren Church, and he has been class-leader and steward in the same. He was lay delegate to the annual conference for five sessions, and assisted liberally with his means to build the church in his township. A Republican in politics, his first presidential vote was for Col. John C. Fremont. Mr. Hapner is a man of quiet tastes, and although frequently solicited to hold office, has always refused. He has witnessed the marvelous growth of the country in the last half century and has contributed his share toward its development. Highly esteemed and respected, he is one of the county's most worthy citizens. His daughter Mahala married Nathaniel Long, a farmer on the old Long homestead; Marietta married William A. Juday, a farmer of this township, and has one child; Matilda married Jacob W. Ott, a farmer living with his father-in-law, the subject of this sketch, and has one child.

Deb Murray